Violet Yang,

A graduate of Class of 2023,

plans to attend McMaster University

(资料图片)

to major in mathematics.

Article author: Violet

Editor: Lu

Translator: Naisi

From 2020 to 2023, until this July, I have been at Farragut for exactly three years.

The time is not very long, but it allowed me, initially an introverted, silent, and unconfident girl, to slowly become sunny and independent. My parents both say that I now appear youthful and have liberated my nature, overturning myself. I think this must be the reason why I am so reluctant to leave here.

曾经的我，卑微又胆小

AFA Tianjin

Once upon a time, I was humble and timid. From elementary school, I was a "good child of other people"s homes."

In the small promotion exam, despite the high expectations, I entered the best junior high school in the Heping District. But again, being divided into the best class, there were endless papers and endless homework, and the learning atmosphere and competition were even more intense.

A ray of light I encountered

AFA Tianjin

Because I loved math, the first time I heard about Farragut School from my mom was when I attended the Waterloo Math Competition at the junior high school stage.

Full of curiosity, I came to Farragut for the first time with my mom. A small campus, the walls full of past students - this was my first impression of this place. At that time, I felt this place was completely unqualified, even not comparable to my junior high school.

Unexpectedly, the next time I came to the school was to attend the high school interview after the middle school graduation exam.

Before the interview, I went to the bathroom and met a foreign teacher who actually greeted me first! I was simply flattered and couldn"t believe that the teacher would greet the student first.

At the interview stage, I remember very clearly. As soon as I walked into the room, the principal immediately stood up, shook hands with me, and introduced himself. That was the first time I felt respected.

The repression I had received from a young age, the disagreements with teachers in the process of interaction, and the periodic failures in math learning all made me urgently need to change my environment and status at that time. Just then, I received such impressive respect here.

So, as soon as I walked out of the principal"s office after the interview, I immediately told my mom that I wanted to start anew here.

No one will know that what made me make up my mind was the foreign teacher"s greeting and the principal"s proactive handshake: thanks to them, I was given the first respect in my life at Farragut.

The biggest challenge for me when I first enrolled was the all-English teaching mode. But even in the initial stage of adaptation, the teacher did not scold me, but constantly encouraged me, telling me that this was normal. Encouraging me that I would be excellent after half a year, students who were good at English would answer my questions, lend me class notes, and never conceal anything.

Even though our methods of study vary, our academic life isn"t as easy as others perceive. Each lesson, each note, each homework assignment, and each test all tie directly into your GPA. This means there"s no room for last-minute cramming; we must take every minute at school seriously.

Despite the intense studying, I find my life becoming more enriching.

Every semester, I can choose electives that I enjoy. During winter and summer vacations, there are opportunities to participate in charity organizations, allowing me to volunteer. I have also been on cultural and overseas study tours, participated in business competitions, spelling contests, and more.

I even found time to learn how to draw and help stray cats and dogs at rescue stations. These activities have broadened my horizons and made me more outgoing and optimistic.

In these three years, I have received many awards, especially in my favorite subject, mathematics. I always manage to attract the attention and acknowledgment of my teachers. Every time I ask a question on WeChat, I get a prompt response.

In terms of studying math, I have participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition, earning third and second prizes. I also took part in the Waterloo Mathematics Competition and the American Mathematics Competition, performing well in both.

Facing the amiable principal, the teachers who care about me, and my enthusiastic classmates, I deeply feel that only at Farragut can I truly experience the joy of being respected and the pleasure of being praised.

Even more, I sincerely feel that life is not just about repetition and competition; it can also be diverse, vibrant, and full of energy.

Dare to persistfor my dream

AFA Tianjin

In July 2022, I began preparing for the application season. For my dream university, I transitioned from the U.S. track of the North America direction class to the Canadian track.

Because of this decision, I gave up the whole summer that could have been used to make up credits. However, it was my choice. Compared to the difficulties I encountered in elementary and middle school, for my dream, I happily accepted and felt everything was worthwhile.

Once the application season officially began, I chose an even more challenging path: applying to both the U.S. and Canada. The only constant was that I only had one major in mind: Mathematics.

In May 2023, for my dream school, I turned down the offers from the highly envied University of Washington, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ohio University, and the University of Connecticut.Others felt regretful for me, but I remained firm in my heart: the sacrifices I made for my dream school were my own choices.

Ultimately, I accepted the olive branch extended by the Faculty of Science at McMaster University in Canada. This university not only offered me a 1,000 Canadian dollar scholarship, but also awarded me the Dean of Science International Student Entrance Award with an additional scholarship of 10,000 Canadian dollars.

Over the past three years,

I have often felt fortunate to have chosen Farragut.

Here, I found beloved teachers and classmates,

Here, I was given a larger stage,

Here, I regained my confidence and became more cheerful!

Most importantly,

Here, the once extremely timid me, who was ashamed to express herself,

Learned to be the happiest version of me!