Tag: writing
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O’ Latin, wherefore art thou ‘dead’?
After seven years of studying Latin, I’ve heard every version of the same question: “Why are you studying a dead language?” As a four-time National Latin Exam Gold Medalist (summa cum laude) and co-president of my school’s Latin Club, I’ve gotten used to defending my choice. I usually say something about intellectual rigor or cultural…
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Letter to Angela Duckworth
Dear Dr. Duckworth, If you ever choose to write a sequel to Grit, I have the perfect subject for you. Every spring, the cherry blossoms in D.C. last for two weeks. Dr. Nguyen*, my ISEF judge, drove from Cleveland, Ohio, just to see them. While he was here, we had a short reunion. He told…
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Grit’s Corollary
I’ve been reading Grit by Angela Duckworth. I’m not even a third of the way through this revolutionary book, and I already have so many thoughts and reflections and life connections. One of her philosophies is that grit is composed of passion and perseverance. I see these two qualities play out every day in myself…
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A Sonata of Connection
Summary: While volunteering at a senior living center, I encountered Inna, a former classical pianist from Ukraine whose life stories deeply resonated with me as a child of immigrants. Our conversations and a promise to perform Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata rekindled my passion for music and highlighted the importance of connecting with others across generations. ***…
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Learning even as a teacher
As I navigate my educational years, I’ve realized the trueness of the phrase “To teach is to learn twice over” (Joseph Joubert). I have had many incredible teachers and mentors who embody this mentality, inspiring me to do the same. You truly cannot teach without gaining a new understanding of the topic. The act itself…
Telos and Tangents 