In memory of Sarah Chow  From Chinese Academy of Memphis.
This is Danling Huang Guo. I work for FedEx. Education is my passion, so I spent much of my spare time as a volunteer principal of Memphis Chinese School (MCS) at Highland (non-profit organization) from 2001 ~ 2005. I am also one of the founders of Chinese Academy of Memphis (CAM, non-profit organization), and have been a volunteer principal of CAM since 2005. I was a co-founder and a volunteer organizer of Great Memphis Chinese New Year Celebration event. 
As a volunteer educator, nothing gives me greater happiness than to see my students grow up and hear good news. Sarah was one of my students. This past April, Sarah's mother called me to tell me that Sarah was accepted to UCLA and UC San Diego and UC Berkeley. I remember I was so happy at the time because I knew that Sarah, through hard work, had achieved her goal. 
I first met Sarah in 2001, when I was a volunteer principle MCS. Sarah was only 5 years old or so then. Her mother and father supported a lot of the events in the Memphis community, the Chinese community, and the Chinese Schools, by donating the money or food whenever they needed support. Every time some volunteer organizers and I went to the restaurant to talk with her parents about schools, events, Sarah would be standing at the hostess desk, helping to great customers. When her mother wrote a check to schools or events, Sarah knew what was going on and would grab the check from her mother and hand it to us.
Even at a young age, Sarah knew what she wanted to do. I remember once, one of CAM's projects, Crossroads of Hope, supported by CAM, had an event at the restaurant, At the time, I asked Sarah, what do you want to be when you grow up? Sarah said I wanted to be a business lady. I remembered those words when her mom told me that Sarah was accepted by UC Barkley, LA and Sid ago. Sarah's mom asked me, Which school is better for Sarah? What's her passion? I asked. Business, her mom said. Well then maybe you should consider UCLA. Please check with Sarah's opinion. She know what she like to attend 
            I remember Sarah as a bright girl who was never afraid to challenge the status quo for what was right. One story in particular stands out during a CAM College Preparation program.. As I do every year, I told the class, Hand me your Iphones because I knew that Iphones were a distraction for the students. As the other students prepared to hand me their phones, Sarah asked, Why should we hand over our phones? We can control ourselves and not play on them. I remember at the time, I was taken aback by the suggestion.  Sarah continued and said, This is a personal rights issue. I remember thinking How is this a rights issue? But after I had calmed down and thought about it, I recognized that she was right. We need to trust and respect our children. We should trust and believe in our kids and support their rights. After that conversation, I changed the in-class policy. I told the class, You can keep your iphone but need to turn it off when you go to class. But, what happens if you violate the policy? I asked the class. Sarah, as always, had a reply. Violators will be punished by doing pushups. Even then, Sarah was a leader, challenging us to change the status quo, pushing me to think differently, to change the way I was brought up to obey hierarchy. It helped me to adjust my education concept, to better help immigrant parents adapt to America's education methodology.
 
            Sarah also had a kind heart. Every time there was a volunteer activity, Sarah would always activity participate if she had time. She had the same heart as her parents, who contributed much to her community. One of her most important projects was Little Flower. Little Flower was a program aimed at helping disabled, abandoned children. Sarah went to Little Flower' Orphanage and worked there as a volunteer for multiple summers. Even after she was accepted into college. Sarah kept it up and said, If I have an opportunity, I would adopt one of these kids. As an educator, I knew that all those colleges  UCLA, UC Berkeley, San Diego, accepted Sarah, not just Sarah's grades, but also her character  responsibility, contribution and sharing.  
As a volunteer educator, nothing makes me sadder than seeing a student with such high potential pass away at such a young age. As I was creating the Memorial video for Sarah, I looked at hundreds of pictures collected by her family, relatives and friends, teachers. I could not stop my tears. The world lost a great potential business woman, and I lost a wonderful, sweet student. I still could not accept this fact now. I rather believe that Sarah is on a long trip. She will be in a beautiful and quiet, safe place. I hope she gets to her destination safely and rests there in peace.

Liam Chew recalls: 
Sarah was a very soul driven passionate woman who never stopped until the task was completed. Of everything she was, her independence and knack for taking the initiative was very admirable and are excellent traits for success.

Mrs. Jie Shen recalls: (a CAM volunteer parent, UT researcher)
I met Sarah at a summer college preparing class that supported by CAM. Sarah joined us late. She was a little frustrated at first for the missing classes, but very soon, she caught up. I remember her as a girl with strong character, very open, independent. She never followed other people without making her own decision.  She had helped refugees' kids in Memphis with their school work. Life is full of unexpected situations. We will miss Sarah and wish her a happy journey in heaven.

Tiffanie Yang recalls: 
Sarah was a funny, carefree person whose smiles could light up the room. During the time I knew her, I admired how confident she always was in everything she did.

Steve Stclair recalls: 
Sarah was a brilliant, kind and generous person. She accomplished much in her short time here on earth. We share the grief of her dear parents who mourn her loss. We grieve with them.
They brought her into this world, nourished her, gave her hope and guided her along the way.
This makes her loss especially painful. We all love you, Sarah. We all miss you.

Helen Xue recalls:
My earliest impressions of Sarah was that she wasn't afraid of anything- not of letting people know her mind, not of standing up for what she believed in, not of hard work or making mistakes, and not of opening her heart and thoughts to those around her. But she was so much more than fearless. Over the time we knew each other, I saw that she would and did stand up as much for others as she could for herself, that she noticed and cared about the people around her. She shared her umbrella in pouring rain when it was barely big enough to cover herself, and she could always be counted on to offer a warm hug and any help she could give to friends in need.
A fellow student, a volunteer, an animal lover- all these things that I knew Sarah as cannot define her. Sarah is kind and brave and funny and gentle; we miss and love her so much.
CAM student,

Offering my deepest sympathy for the loss of someone so young and beautiful and full of life with a wonderful future ahead of her.  At times like these we are deeply saddened.  May God bless and comfort you during this time of great sorrow.  Psalm 116:15

Bill and I were so saddened to hear of your loss. We have many fond memories of sweet Sarah growing up with Ben and the Class of 2015 at Harding. We have been praying for your family since we heard about it. We are so sorry.

Ian and I are so deeply saddened by Sarah's death. Over the past six years, Sarah had become like family to us. I was so blessed to have her as both student and friend. She was a wonderful friend to my son and I will forever be grateful for that.  Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers daily. Your beautiful artist will be in our hearts forever.

I am so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy's go out to you and your family. Nick Opler wants to say if there is anything he can do for Sonny please let him know. The same goes for Sherry and myself. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers. Sincerely, The Opler Family.

OBITUARY

Sarah Helen Chow

8 December, 1996 – 3 January, 2016

Memphis Funeral Home

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