Benjamin Duan

Joined SHSID in first grade

　　百色路989号是我这辈子进出过最多的一个大门，这个校园也是我最为熟悉的一个家。其实在过去十二年的许多时刻，我家长都曾问过我是否想要转学，但我每次都坚决拒绝了。或许部分是因为我不愿意逼迫自己去面对新的学校和环境，但这同样也是因为上中国际持之以恒地带给我人文关怀和照顾。

　　另外，虽说平时在学校内是感受不到的，但每次到了校外参与比赛或者活动才会发现，我们学校的学子和老师真的放眼全国也是最优秀的。我总会感激学校提供了这么一个优秀的学习环境给我们。

　　我一直都和朋友们说，我一定会泪洒毕业典礼现场。这一路走来上中国际确确实实带给了我太多的进步，哪怕再让我选一万次，我都会坚定不移地在2013年秋选择踏入上中国际部大门。

Bruce Guo

Joined SHSID in first grade

There is probably nothing more remarkable than capturing the stories and memories you share with the people around you. What used to seem like impossible—the absolute stop in time presented in the form of a photo, or an event captured in a video—is now available to everyone just by the press of a button. That is what the SHSID media team had taught me, and is a huge family I’m always grateful to be a part of. Starting my journey in the media team as an interviewer, I’ve been in front of the camera multiple times questioning others. Whether in the form of rapid-fire Q&A or a documentary-like interview, I grasp a deeper understanding of the community around me and present their most honest and sentimental aspects to others. Being a part of the ‘Who Studies in SHSID’ series, there were multiple times I discovered interesting individuals as seniors whom I never would have met before. In addition, being the partial host of SHSID’s 30th-year anniversary interview series made me realize there are amazing alums who paved the way before us. Each and every one of the people I’ve met in the videos carries a story that deserves to be told and put under the spotlight, and that’s just what the SHSID media team has been doing for the past years.

Cecilia Lian

Joined SHSID in first grade

They all say that the real treasure is the people you meet along the way, and I think that’s especially true for SHSID. Whether it’s a varsity coach who’s there to prepare you for the most difficult of serves, a teacher who’s willing to respond to the most outlandish of your literary hot takes, or even a friend who’s always around the corner, no farther than a text away when you’re need of emotional support, the interactions you have and the bonds you build between the people you meet at SHSID will no doubt be experiences that you treasure for a lifetime. SHSID is never about feeding you information so that you'd learn it by rote, but about granting you the skills that you may (or may not) find useful throughout the academic career that lasts far beyond your high school years. The people at SHSID are always there to help you achieve that, and I think that’s why the twelve years I’ve spent here will forever be gold.

Zane Lu

Joined SHSID in first grade

One of the most enriching aspects of my time at SHSID has been my involvement in its clubs and student-led events.

One of the most significant activities I have been involved in is Model United Nations. Since joining the school’s MUN club in Middle school as a seventh grader, I continued to remain involved throughout my time at SHSID, now becoming one of the club’s leaders and even traveling abroad to Boston for an international conference. Being a part of this community has helped me forge several meaningful friendships while also teaching me new things about political science, which is my intended major at university. Likewise, with events like TEDx SHSID Youth and SHSID’s Annual speech competition, I have had the chance to demonstrate my interest in public speaking from both the perspective of a speaker and an organizer. Apart from oration, I also get to express my passion for writing through the school’s magazine SHSID｜TIMES as the editor. One memorable experience I had was writing a cover story on the art festival, where I interviewed up to 50 students from various grades to capture their perspectives and weaving it into a cohesive narrative for the magazine.

Academically, I have enjoyed courses such as AP Human Geography and had the unique opportunity to self-study and take AP Spanish with support from my school’s Spanish teacher. Now in Grade 12, I am studying French at school in hopes that someday I can also reach fluency in it! While SHSID is known by many as a school specializing in STEM subjects, I have nonetheless found ample resources to further my interest in the humanities.

Corrine Mak

Joined SHSID in first grade

High school provided a platform for me to bring many of my dreams and visions to life as a young content creator, educator, and leader. For example, they made our charity sale of calendars, which highlighted small diseases and promoted healthy habits like hand-washing, a reality. The profits went to provide nutritious breakfasts for kids in Yunnan. In addition, the school helped me to reach out to multiple primary and middle schools and local neighborhoods, where I organized mini-science lecture series every semester to answer the quirky questions often left unanswered by the curriculum. In those fifteen minutes of lecturing, I often think back to the teachers at SHSID who first ignited my curiosity. There’s nothing that brings me more joy than seeing the spark in kids' eyes as they ask their "How's and Why's"—just as my teachers once nurtured mine.

Joy Tang

Joined SHSID in first grade

Before my freshman year, I thought I had to (and was able to) plan out every detail of my high school life to curate the perfect portfolio colleges couldn’t say no to. In reality, it took a lot of wandering around before I had any semblance of a sense of where I wanted all of this to go. I started a movie club in my freshman year before it fell apart in a month. I played in the wind ensemble for four years and had the time of my life. I made it a personal mission to try every single PE class our school had to offer (sadly I still quite a few left). All is to say that school never left me bored or too overwhelmed though it could feel like the latter at times. I was eventually able to hone in on what I wanted to study towards the end of my sophomore year and prepare accordingly. My path in college applications was not an ideal one, but I’m grateful to have been provided the resources to grow in this process.

Something else I couldn’t understand for the majority of school was why alumni come back to this campus to see their teachers every year. For far too long I guess I was just too scared of teachers to really like them. It was only in my junior and senior years that I realized how incredible all my teachers and counsellor were as both mentors and people. My friends have also reached the consensus that we will beg the CC office to let us back in when we apply to grad school. I will miss it here.

Aaron Zhu

Joined SHSID in first grade

That was one year ago. The motion capture of that afternoon still flickers in my mind: STEMDoge’s Pi Day celebration. We partnered with the high school math department for a week of activities themed “Math and Sports.” A school-wide scavenger hunt sent students solving math puzzles for sports-themed keychains. A Tetris tournament saw players racing against gravity as the crowd erupted in cheers. A soccer tic-tac-toe match—teachers versus students—became a thrilling dance of strategy, the game turning over and over as goals flew past the net, our voices rising with every shift in fate.

And in that moment, I realized: at SHSID, STEM is not just papers, exams, calculations, and equations. It is a soccer ball rolling under the warm March sun. It is the childish curiosity that makes us shake hands with the unknown. It is the bite of pure sweetness through a chocolate-layered “soil” cup. It is a chocolate egg soaring through the air, carrying our laughter with it. It is the smile that still lights up my face, even years later, whenever I remember.

Rachel Liu

Joined SHSID in fifth grade

　　文书是大学申请中不可或缺的一环，也是与招生官最直接的沟通方式。作为刚刚结束申请季的毕业生，我对盯着文书题目一筹莫展、无从下笔的经历记忆犹新。但解决方案也很简单粗暴：把所有的活动和成就都列出来，再从中提取能够进一步阐述的价值。而当把所有的经历都一一列举，会发现学校在其中的作用和支持：正如我的common application文书中提到的Baseball校队经历，就得益于学校提供的资源。校队不仅是我课余的锻炼和精神放松、更在申请季提供了宝贵的素材来向招生官介绍我自己。对于文书，我常常建议将UC的四篇文书作为尝试写作的开始：限制性的题目更能够激发经历中的实例和感悟，同时泛用性强的题目（比如社区志愿者活动和学校社团里组织领导力）也能够在一定程度上减轻其他学校文书写作的负担。将文书尽早提交给学校College Counselor后能够获得更个性化的修改意见——经过指导老师的调整，我的文书结构更具逻辑性，节奏也更加紧凑，相信能给招生官留下更深的印象。

Ruogu Wang

Joined SHSID in fifth grade

　　申请大学时，我面临诸多难题。好在学校老师提供了全方位帮助。我的升学指导，班主任，和任课老师在升学的每一个环节，从选课，选校，写文书，到查看申请资料，都给我提供了非常准确的，专业的，以及细节的指导和建议。因为我没有请中介，学校给我提供了最大的支持，特别是在写文书上，给我提供了很多思路，帮助我改了一遍又一遍，成功让我ED就申请上了心仪的大学。上中给我提供最珍贵的是我结识到了非常珍贵的友谊。在十一年级我也和许多老师结下了友谊；有时他们会帮我缓解升学的压力，有时也会和我分享生活中的趣事，在此之前，我从没想过和老师也能成为交心的朋友。

　　上中在我的兴趣爱好方面也给我提供了许多资源。作为一个喜欢音乐的学生，我参加了学校的弦乐团和舞社。因为在课外没有时间参加舞蹈课程，我很珍惜在舞社的时间。在弦乐团，我们参加了各种大大小小的校内外演出，学校的专场演出也给我提供了许多可以参加重奏，独奏等等的机会，令我十分珍惜。

Mimi Xue

Joined SHSID in fifth grade

　　回首在上中的第七个年头，蓦然意识到自己已经与这片郁郁葱葱的杉树林结下了深厚的联系。虽然经常抱怨高中生活的忙碌，但仔细回想，我并不后悔我做过的任何一个决定。

　　为什么选择上中？我是在五年级下学期这一突兀的时间点转学的，原来的学校也已经拿到了直升的名额，家中的弟弟也跟我不是同一个学校——可是我从来不后悔这个选择。上中给了我最难忘的回忆，我想我也给上中留下了浓墨重彩的一笔。这就要说到我在这里最倾注心血的一个团队和项目：赛艇校队。

　　我在这之前已经划了三年的赛艇，在一次幸运的契机下与同校的人一起组队参加了赛艇比赛，上中从而组建了属于自己的赛艇校队。由于这一运动项目的特殊性和小众性，对场地要求特别高，没想到有朝一日也能亲身参与到这一团队当中，这让我十分兴奋。在我的规划与管理之余，上中也回馈了我的努力。上中给了我们最好的设施，请了全上海赛艇圈内有名的教练，外包了训练地点，给我们的暑期集训提供了无尽的支持，甚至还买了船。在一次比赛失利后，教练也没有责怪我们，而是召集开会，分析原因。在下一学期，我便被学校全新的健身房震撼到，十几台划船器整整齐齐地排放着，旁边还摆着未拆的健身器材。考虑到我们的通勤时间，学校将训练直接转移到了学校内！

　　可以说，上中赛艇队的队长是我无法割舍的身份，是上中给了我这一让我骄傲的身份。

Jonathan Hu

Joined SHSID in sixth grade

Reflecting on my time at SHSID, I am extremely grateful for the rich academic and personal growth opportunities that the school provided. The environment here not only inspired my intellectual curiosity but further allowed me to develop as a holistic person.

The school’s rigorous curriculum, combined with unwavering support from dedicated teachers, enabled me to explore my academic interests in depth, allowing me to always feel empowered to challenge myself and expand my knowledge. The strong foundation laid by the school played a crucial role in my success in competitions and research, helping me develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve meaningful academic results. My four years from a member to the leader of the physics competition club saw my growth in physics beyond the classroom, allowing me to learn from my peers and learn by teaching. Furthermore, the school provided immense support as I dived into niche research areas such as materials science and particle physics, providing world-class platforms, extremely dedicated mentors, and network opportunities.

Beyond academics, SHSID also provided a vibrant and diverse community that allowed me to grow as a well-rounded individual. One of the most meaningful experiences for me was being a part of the birding club, where I not only deepened my appreciation for nature but also connected with like-minded peers and alumni who shared my enthusiasm. The unique club culture and sense of community allowed me to talk to many cool people, helping me cultivate a multifaceted perspective on the world.

The combination of rigorous academics and enriching extracurricular experiences at SHSID ultimately played a pivotal role in my college placement. The school’s commitment to holistic development goes beyond simply helping students get a college offer — it focuses more on educating and preparing us for long-term success. As I look forward to the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me the invaluable experiences I gained at SHSID, knowing that they have shaped me into a well-rounded, driven, and curious individual.

Ryan Liu

Joined SHSID in sixth grade

The trust from my middle school teachers accompanied me throughout my seven years at SHSID. It became the turning point for me to join the Media Group after I entered high school: When I was in ninth grade, still a clueless audience member at the award ceremony for talented students, I was suddenly called backstage by the teachers and asked to be a reporter interviewing the award winners. Although I had never interacted with the media group before, I gladly accepted the invitation and, in the following year, officially joined as a host in the Media Group. However, in my Junior Year, when I transitioned from being an audience member to a host on stage, I missed an opportunity due to my own carelessness. The long-standing glory made me gradually overlook the responsibilities that came with it. I repeatedly mispronounced names in front of all the teachers and students, losing face for both myself and the school. It made me fearful of the stage for a long time, and I resolved to be thoroughly prepared for everything, no matter how big or small. But at the same time, I knew that many opportunities are once-in-a-lifetime and once lost, they cannot be regained. I never expected, or perhaps even forgave myself, to continue as a host. That same evening, I sent an apology to the teacher in charge. However, what I never expected was that, on the pre-eve of the same event the following year, the teacher still specifically chose me to host again, saying, "I don’t want you to have such a regret in high school." I could hardly believe my ears. I thought to myself that if I had the final say, I would never have placed the culprit who had caused such a blunder in such a crucial position again. At that moment, I once again felt the same sense of emotion and responsibility I had when I first performed on stage despite my less-than-ideal grades. From that point onward, and every time after, I made sure to prepare to the best of my ability.

These experiences have been invaluable, and it is the trust of my teachers that has allowed me to remain passionate about the stage, despite life’s many ups and downs. Through setbacks and disappointments, I gained invaluable lessons that ultimately shaped me into a more well-rounded and complete person.

Jason Yang

Joined SHSID in sixth grade

I discovered that the SHSID experience is a lot more than just studying for tests; there are numerous inspiring teachers whose classes I always enjoyed being in. As we passionately performed and discussed literary works in English class, I understood that reading, learning, and writing is not only for our present life. It is so that we can become more conscious about the workings of the world around us and the various inequalities and issues that exist within it, waiting to be solved.

The campus also bestowed me with numerous wonderful moments that make me appreciate life at SHSID. Memories of going outside for class and relaxing beneath the tree shade add touches of brightness to my high school life. Walking around and exploring the campus during lunchtime, afterschool, and for photoshoots with friends also make me appreciate the beauty of the environment we are in. The campus changed a lot over the years, but that only made me feel how vast and full of possibilities it is—even now, I would still enter new spaces I have never been to before.

Xin Yao

Joined SHSID in sixth grade

　　我是在六年级下半学期来SHSID的，SHSID有着不同水平的班级，这让当时的我得到了足够的帮助，得以适应新的课程体系，随后提升到新的水平。学习以外，多彩的课后社团活动也让我感觉更加融入了SHSID这个集体，瑜音社的多彩体验让我感受了京剧的趣味。

　　而随着9年级到来，校园生活好似加速了起来，学生竟然可以创建自己的社团了。我把握住了这个独特的机会，创建了一个手工社团。我的目的与学术，升学无关，只是想分享自己的爱好，并帮助同学们进行放松。同时，每年的运动会、艺术节都鼓励着所有同学的参与，令人期待。而survival training, GCD 等外出活动也是我现在都难以忘怀的美好回忆。与此同时，学校也对我们的学习提供了很多帮助，从选课讲座到专业指导，学校让我们适时了解了能够最大帮助我们的课程体系，并为我们能在高中适应这些课程打下了坚实的基础。

　　而现在，我在SHSID度过了六年，见证了申请季，我也又有了一些新的体会。在申请季中与最后两年的课程中，老师对我们的无私奉献让我十分感慨。在日常课程中，随着我偶尔批改自己的考卷，我自己看着自己密密麻麻的字都感觉烦，非常感动于老师一次又一次的耐心阅读这些东西并给我们提升的建议。大学申请时，老师们更是认真的一次次帮我们写下了推荐信，提出文书修改建议。与此同时，反思过往，我也在申请季后通过见证不同的结果感到了一些释怀。从一个12年级学生的角度讲，选课，竞赛，成绩，夏校，努力固然是重要的，但是“成功”本来就没有一个定律。努力固然重要，但是没有必要纠结太多，最后的最后，不是每个人都能梦想成真，但是每个人都一定会有一个不错的结果。而且这个结果也不一定比过程重要。SHSID帮助我们学会了很多未来走上社会都会依然有所帮助的技能，也给我们带来了人生中最美好，充实的一段回忆。

Minhan Zhou

Joined SHSID in sixth grade

　　每个人的申请季都少不了压力，虽然结果圆满，但那些反复修改文书的日日夜夜到现在都历历在目。现在回头看，我的申请其实更像是一个水到渠成的过程。初中时我就开始锻炼领导力、探索兴趣。到了高中，虽然越来越喜欢理科，但也没耽误我参加各种社团：自己创立的社团、跨学科的PBL选修课都让我接触到不同领域。这些尝试像慢慢收窄的镜头，让我的兴趣点越来越清晰。学校的志愿者平台也给了我很大帮助，作为Peer Advisor Program的leader之一，我不仅提升了个人能力，更理解了帮助他人的意义，它们变成一句句赞美、一份份成就感回到我身边，这些经历最后都变成了文书里的真情实感故事。最后阶段合理运用学校资源还是尤为重要，升学指导老师，就像整理拼图的人，帮助我们把高中生活的碎片连成完整画面。所以交完最后一份申请时，我不只是如释重负，更多是发现在不知不觉中我也能好好回顾这段精彩的高中生活。

Angela Luo

Joined SHSID in eighth grade

My four-and-a-half years at SHSID were both a challenge and a journey of growth. As an academically rigorous school, SHSID pushed me to my limits with demanding honors classes and AP courses. Balancing heavy coursework and extracurriculars was no easy task, yet these challenges shaped me into a more disciplined and resilient student.

Despite its intensity, SHSID was also a place of immense support. My teachers were more than just instructors; especially during the college application season, they showed patience and offered brilliant guidance. I truly believe that their recommendation letters played an essential role in helping me gain admission to great colleges. Whether it was through academic support or advice on college applications, their encouragement never wavered. Still, the school promoted independence. Although the teachers stood as a constant source of support, we were left on our own to develop and refine our study methods and time management skills. This suitable balance between support and independence really pushed me to build intrinsic motivation and habits that benefited my academic career.

Beyond academics, SHSID provided a dynamic environment filled with diverse opportunities. I easily found peers who shared my passions, whether it was competing in Mock Trial and the Wharton Business competition or participating in community service programs that deepened my sense of responsibility or performing with SPDC in art festivals and SHSID’s 30th Anniversary Show. Being surrounded by intelligent, driven classmates created a competitive but not cutthroat environment. If anything, my classmates were constantly inspiring and motivating me to grow and push beyond my own boundaries, broadening my perspective and also building my confidence in my abilities.

Looking back, SHSID was both demanding and rewarding. It challenged me intellectually, supported me emotionally, and provided countless opportunities that shaped me into the person I am today. As I step into the next chapter of my life at university, I carry with me the lessons, friendships, and experiences that SHSID has given me.