Scrolling through TikTok, it’s hard to miss Tenafly Alumn, Grace Chung’s vibrant personality and relatable college videos that rack up thousands of views daily. But before she was giving advice on getting into NYU, or sharing snippets of her life in New York City, Chung was known around Tenafly High School for her creativity and leadership. Now, she’s turning those same traits into a growing online career—one that blends authenticity and ambition.
Graduating from Tenafly High School (’24), Chung already balances three jobs, a college education, and a social media career. Controlling many NYU social media platforms, her last priority is her own account. Her following has grown so much since January that many students on campus know her as “the girl on TikTok.” Chung’s content ranges from talking about her past high school experiences to the NYU application process. Her strong work ethic prevails through her content and stems from her time here at THS. Chung even points out that her interest in production came from taking Mr. Moger’s popular MTV course. “I loved being on camera at Tenafly, whether in theater or on the Tiger Rundown,” Chung said.
During Chung’s time at THS, she was very involved, running six clubs, participating in the school’s plays and musicals, and being class president. On top of all of her extracurriculars, Chung made it clear that she took school very seriously. She viewed high school as a way to prepare for her academic life in college. Similar to her experience at NYU, Chung also took on three jobs. However, she claims that the hardest job of all was accommodating her grade during THS Olympics.
“I think being class president, especially during Olympic season, you get a lot of hate,” Chung said. “People say I don’t want to do this, which helped me learn the biggest skills on how to get people to do things they don’t want to do, how to talk to people, and how to actually lead a team.”
Today, Chung bases most of her posts on her academic and social life at NYU. Yet, her first viral video was filmed in Ms. Capone’s Teen PEP class, recreating the candy salad trend. Around the city, Chung films many different types of videos, including street interviews, days in the life, tips on the college application process, and much more. As for the NYU accounts, over the course of many months, Chung was able to bring the TikTok account from only 1,000 to 20,000 followers. With this jam-packed schedule, Chung doesn’t have much time to rest, often carrying many energy drinks around with her. This causes her to not only be known as “the girl on TikTok,” but also “the girl that never sleeps.” In addition to constantly pushing out content, and keeping up with her schoolwork, Chung is part of a sorority.
“During rush, so many girls would just stare at me and ask to take a picture. This was going on all around campus, especially in September. It was insane,” Chung said.
Chung continues to work hard and inspire others through her dedication and drive. From her days at Tenafly High School to her fast-paced life at NYU, she is proving that success comes from passion and persistence. Whether she’s editing videos at midnight, leading a project, or sharing honest advice online, Chung shows that staying true to yourself while chasing your goals can open unexpected doors. Her journey from a small-town student to a rising social media influencer is a reminder that with creativity, determination, and a few energy drinks, you can really do it all.
