Jenna Khuu is a senior at Memorial High School with a natural flair for staying busy.

The Port Arthur native is in the Career and Technical Education program for engineering, on the powerlifting team, photographer for the Titan yearbook and newspaper and president of the National Honor Society.

Khuu doesn’t stress through juggling her activities, but, rather, the balancing act comes naturally.

“I’ve been in the engineering program since my sophomore year,” she said “It was something I was trying to see if I’d be interested in and it’s actually pretty cool. Right now we’re just doing architectural engineering like pouring concrete.”

Khuu is working to earn her certificate in engineering as a side major but ultimately wants go into a chemistry-related field, though nothing is set in stone.

“I’m still deciding if I want to do just chemistry or chemical engineering,” she said. “Right now, I’m not really looking long term. I know I want to stay regionally and go to Lamar, University of Texas-San Antonio, University of Houston or University of Texas in Austin.”

While contemplating her future career path, Khuu has developed a love for photography.

She works for the high school yearbook and Memorial’s newspaper, “The Titan.”
“I’ve always loved landscape photography,” she said. “When Maiya (Turner) joined yearbook, I swapped over to help her with portrait photography and sports. It’s something I’ve been interested and growing in since last year.

“I like capturing the moment. I like being able to look back at it and relive the moment again.”

Maiya Turner, English level three teacher and co-assistant for the newspaper, said Khuu has a strong work ethic and is multi-faceted in journalism.

Turner never has to tell Khuu to do anything.

“If she sees a need, she’s going to do it,” Turner said. “I can ask her to do a large variety of things. I can ask her to write me an article, take photos or read over the newspaper. She has a lot of skills that are hard to come by.”

Turner said they have had a strong bond since her sophomore year.

“She’s very trustworthy,” Turner said. “I can call Jenna or text Jenna and no matter what she’s going to make it happen.”

In addition to photography, Khuu is in her second year as a member of the Titan powerlifting team and is president of the National Honor Society, where she is coordinating efforts to collect school supplies for Imelda victims.

Her short-term goals include making regionals or state in powerlifting, continuing her photography craft and making the most out of life.