What Are the Ortiz Family's Favorite Things?

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The Ortiz family are 20-year veteran American expats. Dad, Jerric, is an IT consultant/entrepreneur, and mom, Hwa, juggles her role as a marketing communications consultant and runs a literary club – Little Bookworms. Their oldest son Marcello (age 12) attends International School of Beijing, and the two younger kids, Penelope (11) and Maurizio (9) have blossomed in homeschool for the last three years. From academic competition, fruit picking, and awesome BBQs, the energetic family has founded cherished traditions with close friends of all ages.

Jerric

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Jerric is an avid cook and entertains friends with staple specialties like secret-sauce chicken and honey mustard ham. 

He is also the game master, teaching the kids chess and playing monopoly, checkers, and ConnectFour. “I believe that games are fun and full of strategy and logic. Playing together as a family helps them recognize complexities in life and making ‘hard’ choices to navigate through them.”

Penelope

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Penelope enjoys academic challenges and anything to do with art. “This year, training with my friends for the USAP National and International Competition with thousands of bright students all around China has been tough and fun. You never know how high you can soar until you leap with your heart!”  

Her favorite hobby is to collect miniature items for her dollhouse collection. When she grows up, Penelope aspires to be a designer or an architect. She is inspired by Fallingwater and Pritzker Prize Laureate Diébédo Francis Kéré.

Maurizio

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Maurizio’s favorite subject is science and biology, especially genetics and pathology. His favorite way to learn is through BrainPOP, watching videos about diseases, cells, and gene therapy.

His favorite memory is fruit picking and making jam. Strawberry picking is a much-loved family tradition.

Marcello

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“The most special thing about me is my dyslexia because it taught me that reading can change my life.” In addition to his class’s 40 book challenge, he is writing his own fantasy fiction. This summer, he is looking forward to the World Scholar’s Cup Global Round in Chengdu with his buddies.

Hwa

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For Hwa, the greatest value of living in China is how the family grows roots in Chinese and English, while developing a global perspective.

All three kids are unique, and Beijing offers diverse opportunities to enrich their lives. Marcello has thrived through homeschooling and at ISB, while Penelope and Maurizio choose to set their own pace with an online US-based virtual school.

Their best local Beijing trip is Brickyard villas near the Great Wall Mutianyu, where the whole family can indulge in what they enjoy – cooking, hiking, reading, and all-night board games!

Images: Uni You

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