師者引星火 同窗共舟楫——Ian Zhang 2025屆宋慶齡學校高中畢業生

師者引星火，同窗共舟楫

Teachers Ignite Sparks, Classmates Share the Journey

{師者引星火，同窗共舟楫}

Ian Zhang

宋慶齡學校國際部

2025屆畢業(ye) 生

錄取院校

Carnegie Mellon University

卡內(nei) 基梅隆大學

University College London

倫(lun) 敦大學學院

University of St Andrews

聖安德魯斯大學

Northeastern University

東(dong) 北大學

English

從(cong) 幼兒(er) 園到高中畢業(ye) ，我在宋慶齡學校的十四年的生活，像一本厚厚的相冊(ce) 。翻開來，占據心頭的不是冰冷的成績單或試卷，而是一幕幕鮮活的畫麵：老師的聲聲鼓勵在耳邊回響，朋友攙扶的溫暖猶在掌心，奔跑中放肆的大笑仿佛就在昨天……這些，是我記憶深處最純粹的“快樂(le) ”。我想定格其中兩(liang) 個(ge) 片段——關(guan) 於(yu) 恩師，關(guan) 於(yu) 一次與(yu) 朋友難忘的同行，聊聊那些照亮宋校歲月的溫暖故事。

恩師

點燃好奇，撫平不安的引路人

回想課堂，每位老師都帶著獨特的光芒。Seiver老師用幽默設計讓數學化成有趣的拚圖；Dima老師用一場場羽毛球賽點燃我們(men) 的活力；Nikola 老師將化學方程式變成解謎遊戲；林祖謀老師耐心細致的講解，幫我推倒了物理的 “恐懼牆”；升學季的迷霧裏，是王藝蓉老師點亮一盞燈，耐心為(wei) 我照亮前路；而 Senor Valdes老師 和Puig老師，則像兩(liang) 位和藹的旅伴，一路陪伴我徜徉在西語的天地。而走進我內(nei) 心深處，讓我發生轉變的，是Dods老師。

▲我在實驗室

初遇Dods老師，格子襯衫，厚厚鏡片下是他小而有神的雙眼，他笑著對我們(men) 說：“You're not just students, you're young scientists.(你不僅(jin) 僅(jin) 隻是一名學生，你更是一位年輕的科學家)” 。他並非刻板嚴(yan) 肅師長，更像一位對生命和學習(xi) 本身充滿熱忱的“科學家”。

課下的他，毫無架子。會(hui) 認真聽我們(men) 聊動漫，討論午餐吃什麽(me) ，甚至在我們(men) 考試前緊張時，一句輕鬆的“You'll be fine（你一定沒問題！）” 就能神奇地安撫人心。同學們(men) 都說，他是真正能讓我們(men) “放下所有防備” 的老師。

▲Dods老師

曾經的我是連提問都怯生生的學生。因為(wei) 總覺得提問是“麻煩老師” ，更怕問題太蠢會(hui) 惹人笑話。一次環境科學課上，我被“碳匯”這個(ge) 詞深深困擾，課後猶豫再三，終究沒敢問出口。沒想到幾天後，Dods老師在走廊叫住我，微笑著說：“You seemed puzzled today.（你今天看起來有些小困擾）” 我愣住了——他竟然捕捉到了我最近的困惑！終於(yu) 鼓起勇氣嚐試對他說出我的疑問後，Dods老師沒有絲(si) 毫敷衍，還特意找了關(guan) 於(yu) “碳匯”的視頻，邊播放邊耐心解釋，直到確認我真正理解。

之後，我的內(nei) 心像推開了一扇窗。我開始積極在課堂上舉(ju) 手，敢於(yu) 說出自己的疑問，大膽表達自己的想法。一次課後，我們(men) 隨機聊到人類影響氣候的方式，我說完觀點，他竟認真地點頭：“That's an interesting point, never thought of that.（你說的想法真是太有趣了，我還從(cong) 來沒想過這些。）”那一刻，我第一次感受到，老師不僅(jin) 是知識的傳(chuan) 授者，也可以是欣賞我、願意傾(qing) 聽我的朋友。

▲我和Dods老師

最讓我感到意外的是在水培實驗課上。我鼓起勇氣問了個(ge) 自己都覺得傻，但困擾我很久的問題：“老師，魚在水培係統裏遊泳會(hui) 不會(hui) 覺得無聊？” 問出口的一刹那就後悔了。沒想到他會(hui) 心一笑：“那我們(men) 多給他點吃的，讓他們(men) 加油工作？” 接著，他停下手頭的工作，認真為(wei) 我解釋魚的行為(wei) 習(xi) 性，還反過來問我：“你覺得環境豐(feng) 富度對生物行為(wei) 的影響有多大？”那一刻，我忽然明白：在他眼裏，沒有愚蠢的問題，隻有尚未展開的思考。

從(cong) 此，“提問”在我心裏不再是怯懦猶疑的舉(ju) 動，而是一次對話的開始，一次探索的邀請。這種對“提問”從(cong) 不安回避到積極主動的轉變，不僅(jin) 讓我在學習(xi) 上變得自信，更收獲了一種意想不到的快樂(le) ——流淌在師生之間的溫暖與(yu) 互信。

同行

虎跳峽上的那雙手與(yu) 我們(men) 一起抵達的風景

虎跳峽研學那天，山風拂麵，陽光穿透雲(yun) 層，耀眼得有些刺眼。午飯後，望著眼前陡峭的山路，我心裏直打鼓。想到即將開始的漫長爬坡之路，甚至閃過“裝作肚子疼留在車上”的念頭。但看著身邊興(xing) 奮打鬧的同學，聽著此起彼伏的加油聲，我咬咬牙，邁出了第一步。

雲(yun) 南虎跳峽

上山的路，在說笑中延伸。平坦的大道漸漸收窄，變成崎嶇的石徑，腳下凹凸不平的石頭讓我有點小小的緊張，每一步都格外小心謹慎。突然，我感覺踩到一塊鬆動的小石塊，頓時一驚，可就在這時，一雙手穩穩地扶住我的肩膀。那一刻，雖來不及看清麵容，那份來自同窗的守護，卻深深烙印在心。

▲虎跳峽徒步

最險峻的路段，我們(men) 自覺排成一列。後麵的同學，總會(hui) 自然地托一下前麵同學的書(shu) 包。我們(men) 相互鼓勵，互相支持，當終點出現在眼前，相視而笑的那份喜悅，比任何獎勵都珍貴。原來這一路，在互相傳(chuan) 遞的每一瓶水裏，在每一次不經意的攙扶中，我們(men) 已悄然遇見了更好的自己。回望那段山路，它教會(hui) 我的不僅(jin) 是堅持的意義(yi) ，更讓我們(men) 感受到同行者的分量，領略到虎跳峽最美的風景。

▲雲(yun) 南采茶， 洱海騎行，內(nei) 蒙古滑沙

如今，我的行囊裏裝著宋校十四年饋贈的星光——那是Dods老師點燃的好奇之火，是虎跳峽上同窗伸出的援手，是每一位師長用心點亮的微光。正是這些微光匯聚，照亮了我前行的路，也塑造了我此刻的模樣。手握心儀(yi) 大學的錄取，我知道，一段嶄新的旅程即將開啟。腳步會(hui) 邁向遠方，目光會(hui) 望向未來，但心，永遠會(hui) 為(wei) 宋校留一個(ge) 最柔軟的角落。那些照亮成長的微光，那些曾托舉(ju) 過我的同行的手，早已融入血脈，成為(wei) 我生命底色裏最溫暖、最恒久的光源。無論走多遠，這份宋校的印記，這份遇見的美好，都將是我勇往直前最深的底氣。感恩母校，感恩遇見！

——

From kindergarten to high school graduation, my fourteen years at Soong Ching Ling School feel like a thick photo album. Flipping through it, what fills my heart isn't cold report cards or exam papers, but vivid scenes: the echoes of my teachers' encouragement still ring in my ears, the warmth of a friend's supportive hand still lingers in my palm, and the unrestrained laughter while running through the campus feels like it was just yesterday. These are the purest "joys" etched deep in my memory. Today, I want to share two fragments—one about a beloved teacher, one about an unforgettable journey with my peers—to talk about the warmth that illuminated my time at Soong Ching Ling School.

▲Educational Trip to Singapore

▲Fifth-grade Graduation Photo with Ms. Li

▲Study Tour in New Zealand

▲Study Tour in New Zealand

Mentor

The Guide Who Ignited Curiosesity and Soothed Anxieties

●●●

Looking back into my classrooms, each teacher radiated a unique light. Mr. Seiver used humor to turn math into fascinating puzzles; Mr. Dima ignited our energy through badminton matches; Mr. Nikola transformed chemical equations into mystery-solving games; Mr. Lin tirelessly demolished my "wall of fear" around Physics with patient explanations; during the fog of the college application season, Ms. Sophia Wang who patiently guided me, illuminating the path ahead; while Señor Valdes and Dr. Puig were like two amiable travel companions, journeying with me as I explored the world of Spanish. But the one who truly changed something within me was Dr. Dods.

▲In the Laboratory

My first encounter with Dr. Dods: plaid shirt, thick glasses, big smile. He said to us, "You're not just students, you're young scientists." He wasn't a rigid instructor, but more like a "scientist" brimming with genuine enthusiasm for life and learning itself.

Outside class, he had no airs about him. He would listen earnestly as we chatted about anime or debated lunch choices. Even when we were nervous before exams, a lighthearted "You'll be fine!" from him could magically calm us down. Classmates all agreed he was one of the few teachers who made us truly "let our guard down." This greatly benefitted me, since I was once that student who was timid about asking questions.

▲Dr. Dods

Back then, I always felt asking questions was "bothering the teacher," and I was even more afraid that my questions would be seen as stupid and invite laughter. During an Environmental Science class, I was deeply troubled by the term "carbon sink." After class, I hesitated but ultimately didn't dare ask. Unexpectedly, Dr. Dods stopped me in the hallway and said with a smile, "You seemed puzzled today." I was stunned—he had actually noticed my confusion! Summoning my courage, I voiced my question. He didn't dismiss it at all; instead, he specifically found a video about carbon sinks during our break time, patiently explaining as it played until he was sure I truly understood.

That moment was like opening a window. I started raising my hand in class, daring to express my thoughts. Once, while discussing ways humans affect the climate, I shared my view. To my surprise, he nodded seriously and said, "That's an interesting point, never thought of that."In that moment, I felt for the first time that a teacher wasn't just a transmitter of knowledge; they could also be someone who appreciated me and was willing to listen—a friend.

▲Me and Mr. Dods

The most surprising moment came during a hydroponics lab. I mustered the courage to ask what I thought was a silly question: "Dr., do the fish swimming in the hydroponic system ever get bored?" I regretted it instantly. But he laughed and said, "Well then, maybe we should give them extra snacks to motivate them?" Then, he paused and seriously explained fish behavior and habits, even turning the question back to me: "How significant do you think environmental enrichment is for animal behavior?"In that moment, I suddenly understood that in his eyes, there were no stupid questions, only thoughts waiting to unfold.

From then on, "asking a question" ceased to be an act of timidity in my mind. It became the start of a conversation, an invitation to explore. This shift from avoidance to engagement not only made me more confident in my studies but also brought me an unexpected kind of joy—realizing that such warmth and mutual trust could flow between teacher and student.

Journey Together

The Hands-on Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Scenery We Reached Together

●●●

On the day of our field trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge, the mountain breeze brushed against our faces, and dazzlingly bright sunlight pierced through the clouds. After lunch, staring at the steep mountain path ahead, my heart pounded. Thinking about the long climb, I even fleetingly considered faking a stomachache to stay on the bus. But watching my excited classmates joking around and hearing the chorus of encouragement, I gritted my teeth and took the first step.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan

The path upwards stretched on amidst chatter and laughter. The broad, flat road gradually narrowed into a rugged stone path. Every step required extra care; the uneven rocks beneath our feet kept us on edge. Suddenly, I stepped on a loose stone! My foot slipped, and I momentarily lost my balance! Panicking, I flailed my arms, but my body lurched uncontrollably towards the edge... At the critical moment, a pair of hands firmly grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back to safety. Before I could see who, it was, a teacher's voice called from ahead, and I had to hurry to catch up.In that moment, though I never saw their face, that act of guardianship from a classmate was deeply imprinted on my heart.

▲Hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge

On the most treacherous stretch, we automatically formed a single-file line. The person behind would naturally give a slight push to the backpack of the person in front. When the finish line finally came into view, the moment we exchanged triumphant smiles was more precious than any award. I realized then that in every bottle of water passed between us, in every casual act of support, we had quietly encountered better versions of ourselves. Looking back at that mountain path, it taught me not only perseverance but also the true weight of companionship. These fragments of warmth pieced together the most authentic backdrop, the purest joy of my youth.

▲Tea Picking in Yunnan, Cycling around Erhai, Lake Sand Sliding in Inner Mongolia

Now, I carry starlight in my backpack—a gift from fourteen years at Soong Ching Ling School. It's the fire of curiosesity ignited by Dr. Dods, it's the helping hand extended by a classmate at Tiger Leaping Gorge, it's the glimmer of light carefully kindled by every teacher. It was the convergence of these glimmers that illuminated my path forward and shaped who I am today. Holding the offer letter from my dream university, I know a new journey is about to begin. My steps will carry me far away, and my gaze will turn towards the future, but my heart will always keep the softest corner reserved for Soong Ching Ling School. Those glimmers that illuminated my growth, those hands that lifted me up along the way, have long since blended into my veins, becoming the warmest, most enduring source of light in the underlying fabric of my life. No matter how far I go, this imprint of Soong Ching Ling and the beauty of the encounters I had, will be the deepest wellspring of courage propelling me forward.

I am grateful to my alma mater, and grateful for all the encounters I’ve had here!

——

☑Ms. Chen and Me