SKYLOR SUN
Multi-talented teen finds balance in school, music, sports and community
Written by Melani Morose Edelstein
The communities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula breed world-class achievers, boast outstanding schools and generous philanthropies. Our neighborhoods are made up of phenomenal people of all ages and Skylor Sun exemplifies the best of them.
Born and raised on the hill, Skylor earned his third-degree taekwondo black belt at age 10, and his fourth-degree black belt at age 16. He’s also an avid club and high school soccer player who maintains a 4.95 GPA and membership in several honor societies.
“I think academically, my parents really drive me. Both are extremely successful and I want to be at least somewhat close to what they are and what their standards are. Sports-wise, it’s my coach, my soccer coach is really really inspirational. He drives me to be a better person overall, and a great soccer player,” Skylor explains.
His talents extend far beyond the classroom or the athletic field. Skylor has proven a genuine interest in making an impact on his community through his extraordinary community service work. He earned the Gold Medal Congressional Award, which recognizes initiative service and achievement in American youth and over the last five years he’s earned a total of six consecutive gold and one silver President’s Volunteer Service Awards by volunteering over 100 hours, each year, for different non-profits. So, when the pandemic struck and Skylor found time on his hands he had an epiphany.
“My neighbor is elderly. She’s 93 and has always done so much for our family and I just wanted to help her. She was afraid to go out during the pandemic, to get groceries and other things. So I volunteered to help. I’d drive out to Trader Joe’s every weekend, every Sunday to buy her some groceries,” he says easily. “It just really made me feel special, like, I feel honored that I was able to help. I was the one able to do it. I really enjoy helping others,
I do. I honestly have a drive to help others, no matter what.”
Skylor’s devotion to the Palos Verdes community comes from his heart. Realizing the loneliness many senior citizens endured during the pandemic, Skylor founded the nonprofit Music for Seniors, by reaching out to local senior homes and offering free live classical music performances.
“I play with the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra. It’s a volunteer orchestra where we receive service hours but due to COVID and the pandemic we were not able to meet or have performances. So I came up with the idea that these students and young violinists and young musicians, they’re unable to perform and get that experience that they used to have, of performing in front of a crowd and all that. So I decided to create a little organization, a nonprofit organization for these young musicians to perform in senior homes. I contacted many senior homes. Many were interested but especially Merrill Gardens. They were open to having us perform once a month. So we play every Saturday and it’s been great,” he humbly admits and there is no doubt he will continue long into the future with the same spirit and acumen that has served him well so far.
“The Congressional Award takes a minimum of two years so I signed up at thirteen and a half and received the award. It was important to me. I just
kept grinding and reaching my small goals, to try and get it,” he explains.
Whether it’s excelling academically or athletically or connecting older adults through live interactive music Skylor Sun is one teenager to keep an eye on and one phenomenal Palos Verdes resident for the whole community to be proud of.
