Continuing on from last week, we are highlighting the achievements of all applicants for the 30th Anniversary - Profiles of WAB Alumni Award. Congratulations to each of our student applicants and we are so proud of their achievements.

This week, we will spotlight three student applicants:

Victoria – Grade 5 

At 10 years of age, Victoria is the youngest applicant for the Profile of the WAB Alumni Award. Through her application she demonstrated her determination and confidence through participation in various sports, winning medals, and representing WAB in competitions. Her leadership skills were evident in a student-led ASA focused on engraving and nature exploration, where they planned and executed the program, inspiring other students. Additionally, the candidate has explored the relationship between dogs and modern cities in various countries and showed her cross-cultural and communication skills as she shared the knowledge of dog training she acquired around the world to improve animal welfare in Beijing. 

Victoria’s participation in various activities such as sports, school projects, Girl Scouts, and community service demonstrates balance and reflection. Through her application, she has shown resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to nurture their own wellbeing and that of her community. 

She shared her inspiring moment, "Are you a sheep? This simple question reminds me to be a leader and think differently. In grade 4, Ms. Felicity inspired me to think independently and take action."

Heewon – Grade 10 

Heewon’s narrative style application showcased her personal success as she overcame her fears and embraced her passion for music through performances as well as participation in activities like the APAC choir and dance club. She also highlighted her interest in artificial intelligence and its ethical considerations. She recognized the importance of evaluating future careers in light of AI advancements and has used AI as an effective study tool.  

Heewon has lived in China for ten years and has embraced Chinese culture and language, and reflected on how, by living in another country, her perspectives and knowledge of global issues has changed. Her application also shared her volunteer work through Springsations, Rainbow Angels Bakery, and her participation in a multi-lingual reading group that reads to ECC students in their home languages. She has demonstrated effective communication skills through techniques like sign language and debating, helping Korean students adapt to a new educational environment. 

She expressed, "I was inspired by the remarkable spirit and opportunities WAB has shown to me in the past years. I am truly grateful to be part of this harmonious WAB community and will continue to establish impactful connections in the future."

Liam - Grade 9 

Liam demonstrated his alignment with the competencies of the Profile of the WAB Alumni through stories of various projects, community involvement, and personal growth. His participation in projects such as his dog shelters project, where he helped design shelters for stray dogs, and a weighted animal toys project, helped him develop new skills and achieve challenging goals. Additionally, his involvement in community support programs like the “Buddy Benches/Buddy Band” program and the Water for South Sudan Charity Fundraiser highlights his commitment to taking action on issues of local and global significance. 

Liam used the example of the Middle School Garden Project to showcase his communication skills with multiple audiences: teachers and peers during the project, global educators through a presentation about the project at a global conference, and the wider public through a WAB Podcast episode. Through his participation in a diverse range of after-school activities, such as Choir, Dance, Volleyball, and Swimming, he shows how he has developed the competencies of a balanced and resilient learner. 

He said, "Taking part in the 'Profile of a WAB Alumni Application' has helped me to reflect on my 10 years at WAB. I am thankful for the many experiences and opportunities that being a part of the WAB community has led to. Going further, I feel challenged to work on my areas of growth." 

In total, 27 applications were submitted for the Profiles of WAB Alumni Award. The remarkable stories and powerful evidence of the learning journeys of all applicants will be highlighted in this series.