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Grade 10：Exploring Self, Defining Future — Sophomore Project Presentation Held

March 19, 2026

On the afternoon of March 18th, tenth-grade students gathered in the B1 Theater of Zhongxing Building to listen to the Sophomore Project presentations. The eleven students on stage were there to share their exploration of a single question over the past few months: "Who am I?"




This was an "inward journey" that began last semester. Every tenth-grade student embarked on a path of self-discovery: creating a three-year growth plan, having one-on-one in-depth conversations with their homeroom teachers, searching for mementos scattered throughout their lives, and finally, distilling all these reflections into a personal essay.




This semester, each class selected one representative to take these reflections to the sharing stage. Each presenter carefully chose academic and non-academic objects that illustrated their growth trajectory, making the abstract concept of "self" tangible and touchable. One used a musical instrument as a medium, transitioning from a rehearsal member to wielding the conductor's baton, feeling the power of "presence." Another used a snowboard as a guide, exploring passions beyond academics while racing down slopes, unlocking the freedom and resilience endowed by sports.




Amidst the diverse exploration of academics and interests, the students' enthusiasm was equally vibrant and vivid. Some started from a pure love for animals, using iNaturalist biodiversity observation records as a starting point, allowing their passion to grow into a clear direction through biological observation and knowledge accumulation. Some honed their critical thinking and collaboration skills on the Model United Nations debate floor, discussing global issues like artificial intelligence. Some outlined clear three-year academic plans, sharing insights on time management and stress regulation, conveying the growth attitude that "the process matters more than the result."




For Steven from class 10-3, music, sports, and life were the keys to discovering his uniqueness. As a bassoonist in the orchestra and a member of the school basketball team, his multiple interests and identities allowed him to find ways to express himself. His passion for sports and health further anchored his future academic direction beyond the playing field. He also achieved a reconciliation with his childhood through a hand-drawn comic based on The Book Thief. Hidden within this artwork was a memory from his time in America, of secretly taking a teacher's book to read—an past embarrassment that has now transformed into a source of self-acceptance. Concurrently, in his three-year plan, he clearly outlined his goals for the remainder of high school, planning to integrate academic competitions, IB courses, and his passions.




For Maggie from class 10-11, the question "Who am I?" carried an additional layer of cultural context. A girl born in America but raised in China, she often faced labels from the outside world. Some would say she wasn't "American enough," yet when she actually returned to America, she found herself different from peers who had grown up there. The clash of these two cultures once left her wandering on the edge of belonging. But through continuous exploration and self-reflection, she gradually came to understand that cultural identity is never an either/or choice, but rather an internal acceptance. True self doesn't need to be defined by identity, but is about growing into one's unique self. This sharing resonated deeply with the students present, sparking profound thoughts on culture, identity, and self-worth.




After all the candidates' presentations, the other students in the audience participated by scoring the 11 presenters on a scale of 1 to 10. Based on the scores, four main awards were presented: Best Project Award, Outstanding Project Award, Honorable Mention Award, and Award for effort. Additionally, a special outstanding Artifact Award was given, fully recognizing the students' dedication and innovation.


This sharing session was more than just a presentation and competition. More importantly, it built a bridge between self-exploration and future development. From artistic creation to scientific exploration, from sporting passion to academic depth, students used their vivid stories to tell everyone that the self is never a fixed label, but a constantly growing entity, shaped by passion, challenges, and exploration.


(Written by 10(8) Joy, 10(9) Max, 10(11) Emily, 10(6) Arianna      Pictures by Grade 10 Media Group  Supervised by Lijia Yu      Reviewed by Qian Zuo)