In March 2024, I was the only 7th grader to earn a spot on the Varsity Tennis Team after three rounds of competitive tryouts. Throughout the season, we faced teams from junior boarding, secondary boarding, and day schools, finishing with a record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 0 ties. Competing at this level pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, and every game greatly helped build my confidence, resilience, and determination. Over the past five years, my dedication to tennis has not only improved my physical fitness but also strengthened my mental toughness.

I was shocked by the scant resources upon my first volunteering here in 2021.
In 2024, I illuminated these remote families' lives by installing solar lights,
brightening their nights and offering comfort and dignity. Each light symbolizes
hope, bridging the divide between different worlds. Through my camera, these moments of light breaking through darkness honor resilience
and the strength of human connection.

I had an incredible first season of Mountain Biking last year, and competed in every race in Category 4 and earned a spot on the podium several times. The team trains on 4-mile course on the mountain behind campus and focuses on bike handling techniques, riding up and down-hills, and how to tackle a variety of terrains. This fall, we continued to compete with area secondary schools, which really excited me, and I also enjoyed the high-quality outdoor time with my friends.

Before winter term, I had set a personal goal of trying out for the varsity girls basketball team. After about a month of focused preparation, I'm thrilled to share that I made the varsity after three rounds of tryouts! Before coming to IMS, I had never played basketball, but the supportive environment and my desire to connect more deeply with my community pushed me to try something new. It's been a rewarding challenge, and training with my teammates and competing against other schools has helped me build resilience, confidence, and lasting friendships.

I recently had a wonderful experience that we celebrated the Lunar New Year with a special school-wide performance and cultural activities.  I selected the Chinese Pop song, arranged the guitar accompaniment, and rehearsed a group performance with my peers. I also helped organize an interactive game introducing the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, where we interacted with over 350 audience members both on and off the stage. It was a truly rewarding experience to celebrate and share our culture with the school community!