YVONNE Gao Yuan is the kind of student who scores straight-As easily, asks intelligent questions, and seems to enjoy learning.

She is eloquent and confident, and plays the saxophone in her school's jazz band. To top it all off, she's easy on the eye.

So it is not inconceivable that many would love to hate her.

But the thing is, they don't.

If you ask any of her schoolmates about her, the answer will probably be the same: Gao Yuan's got spunk.

The tattoo on her right ankle is an indication.

The first time I met her in school two years ago, she peeled down a sock to reveal a tattoo of a phoenix just above her ankle bone.

When I exclaimed at her daring, she shrugged and likened it to a mere accessory, like an ear piercing.

I was impressed; and it wasn't because she had a tattoo, unlike most of my peers.

Gao Yuan is a breath of fresh air.

She didn't display the 'kiasu-ism' Singaporean students are infamous for. She didn't rush to the library once the school bell rang, or throw big words around to impress teachers.

She isn't even vain like most girls. She didn't like wearing make-up for concerts, and usually chose her dresses at the last minute. Instead of fussing with her hair, she would rather tune her instrument.

And when some chose to party the night away, she chose instead to experience the nightlife by serving drinks at a bar during the holidays.

She is down-to-earth and practical but adventurous, traits one cannot help but admire.

Whenever the phrase foreign talent is mentioned, the talk is usually of the threat they pose to Singaporeans.

But in Gao Yuan's case, I find that irrelevant. I don't see her as a competitor who came to stun the student population here with her intellect, or take away my future job.

Instead, I see her as a positive role model for otherwise complacent young Singaporeans, someone who willingly pushes boundaries and seeks different challenges for herself.

Her zest for life and tenacity should be looked upon as an inspiration, not a hindrance.

And if she is offered a premium scholarship to study at a premium university, well, good for her.

What matters is that she has worked for it, and so deserves it.

People like Gao Yuan are a wake-up call to my peers, to loosen up and start living life with eyes and arms wide open. I find it hard to hate someone like that.

• The writer graduated from RJC last year, and was in the same jazz band as Yvonne Gao. She is also currently vying for a scholarship for overseas studies.

Chermaine Goh, newsroom intern

This article was first published in The New Paper on May 7, 2008.