01 Lin Jingxuan

Before I knew it, it’s already been six years since I graduated from Shanghai High School, and three years since I last visited the campus. I wonder if Lawson is still that crowded at noon? Back in high school, I always wanted to do a bit more, and by lunchtime I often didn’t even have time to go to the cafeteria. So I frequently grabbed a bento from Lawson and wolfed it down between activities. Later, when I got to Yale—even though the dining halls there consistently rank among the best on the Niche rankings—I somehow never got used to them. To me, nothing ever quite matched the taste of those Lawson bentos.

Over my nine years at Shanghai High School, I gained not just knowledge from textbooks or wisdom from teachers, but also many memories that still shine bright today. Now that I’ve started working, my mentors often talk about the 80/20 rule: focus on the most important 20%. I think life works the same way.

So to any younger classmates reading this who are now chasing their dreams with all their might: keep going, but also cherish the people around you and the silly, joyful moments you share with them—because those are the most valuable 20% of life.

02 Chen Yijin

The most joyful moments of my days were never grand or extravagant—they were the quiet, shared fragments of life that stitched us together. Waiting in line at Lawson, flanked by classmates who shared my passions, we stood shoulder to shoulder, letting a single cup of steaming Shin Ramen chase away the early winter chill. After the rain, we wandered beneath the tree-lined paths, trading arguments with a playful stubbornness that always ended in laughter echoing through the damp air. Around the bonfire at GCD, we sat in a loose circle, the crackling flames mingling with our laughter, kindling warmth in hearts worn thin by exhaustion. It was at Alma Mater where I found companions who truly saw me—friends who walked beside me through every storm. Those years of striving together, of lifting one another up, remain among the most treasured chapters of my life.

It is also at Alma Mater that I met the most caring, responsible mentors who supported me emotionally and academically. I will forever be grateful for the roles they played in my high school life. Although I have stepped out of the SHS campus and started a new journey at UPenn, I still feel the gifts that Alma Mater left me in every aspect of life. In university lectures, when faced with problems that made others feel lost, I could solve the question easily; when scheduling my busy week, my experiences of time management at SHSID helped me plan my time gracefully.

Thank you, Alma Mater, for giving me the best care and education I could have dreamt of. I will forever remember and be grateful for the glorious time I spent here.

03 Liu Yingke

Dear SHS, Happy 160th Anniversary!

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since I first walked through the gates of Shanghai High School—back then, I had no idea this campus would become the heart of my youth.

I still remember getting completely lost that first week, taking half an hour just to find the music center from the playground and showing up late to class. The professional-grade gym felt like a stadium to my elementary school eyes—I was in awe.

Over time, every corner of Alma Mater became familiar. By the time I graduated, some of the buildings had changed, but my eight years here had become unforgettable.

Looking back now, every place on campus holds a memory: racing friends across the playground in middle school, crowding into Lawson for oden after class; in high school, chatting with friends in the hallway until sunset, making promises to stay close forever. Alma Mater wasn’t just a school—it was a companion that saw me through my most innocent, passionate, and heartfelt years.

Now that I’m studying abroad, the sound of the school bell or the sight of golden ginkgo leaves still brings a smile. I hope our alma mater stays forever young—just as vibrant and full of life as we remember！

04 Tang Shiyu

I spend nine memorable years at Shanghai High School, where I built precious friendships with peers who share the same interests and goals and encountered many inspiring teachers who guided me along the way.

The strong academic foundation I built—both in the sciences and the humanities—has allowed me to thrive during my undergraduate studies and research.

Alma Mater also provided great support to my passions—some of my most precious memories come from skating on the school rink and performing with my friends in the musical theater club, Live2Drama.

I am deeply grateful for everything that Alma Mater has provided me.

I hope Alma Mater continues its excellence and lasting influence to shape future generations! And I wish that all  alumni will excel in their respective fields and shine together with the school！

05 Yang Jiaying

Dear SHS,

As you celebrate 160 years of excellence, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be part of this legacy while still walking your halls.

To many of us, you are far more than merely a school — you are a living classroom where every lesson extends beyond textbooks, where curiosity is nurtured, and where challenges become opportunities for growth.

More than growth as a student. Growth as a person.

As we honor your past, I am grateful to be part of your present.

And as I look towards the future, I know the next chapter will be as extraordinary as the legacy you’ve created.

Here’s to 160 years of brilliance, and to the countless sparks of potential you will continue to ignite！