Meet the Yale

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is a prestigious private Ivy League research institution. Established in 1701, Yale holds the distinction of being the third oldest higher education institution in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered prior to the American Revolution. As the primary venue for the World Scholars Cup Tournament of Champions (WSC ToC), New Haven served as an ideal host, being the home of Yale University itself. The Yale campus, adorned with magnificent and historically significant buildings, exuded an aura of grandeur and beauty.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for our Junior team took place at Woolsey Hall, while the Senior team had their ceremony at the Shubert Theater. Notably, Woolsey Hall, which boasts a seating capacity of 2,650, stands as Yale University's largest auditorium and is one of the historic bicentennial buildings situated at the interdiv of College and Grove Streets in New Haven. 

During the opening ceremony held at the historic and grand-scale venue, our scholars experienced a blend of tension, excitement, and a profound sense of pride and anticipation. Notably, this year's opening ceremony was graced by the presence of ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Tanzania, who delivered congratulatory speeches. The appearance of the WSC's iconic mascot, the Alpaca painted warrior, further elevated the enthusiasm among the Scholars to its peak. 

The Competition

On the second day of the competition, the Junior team participated in the Scholars Challenge, a comprehensive test of participants' knowledge across various categories, as well as the team debate, held at Hill House High School. Formerly known as New Haven High School, Hill House High School holds the distinction of being the oldest public high school in New Haven and proudly represents its identity with a baby bulldog as its mascot.  Meanwhile, the Senior team engaged in the Scholars Challenge at three different locations: Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall (SSS hall), O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, and Watson Center. Notably, SSS hall, situated across from Woolsey Hall, serves as the main administrative building of Yale University.

The following day, both the Junior and Senior divisions participated in the Scholars Bowl, a team quiz held at the prestigious Woolsey Hall. This was followed by a special ceremony where teams had the opportunity to adopt an Alpaca, which stood out as one of the highlights of the World Scholars Cup event. Particularly for the Senior team, an additional highlight came in the form of enjoying lunch at Yale Commons Dining Hall, also known as Schwarzman Center, located within Woolsey Hall. The Commons, renowned for its culinary offerings, caters to the entire Yale community, and it was truly an extraordinary experience for the scholars to dine in an ambiance reminiscent of the famed Hogwarts cafeteria from the Harry Potter series.

Closing ceremony

The Closing ceremony for our Junior team took place at Woolsey Hall and commenced with a captivating organ performance by a talented Yale student. As the names of each participating country were called out one by one, flag bearers, representing their respective nations, proudly carried their flags onto the stage. Scholars cheered enthusiastically, and the flags were reverently arranged on the podium. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of unity and celebration.

For the Senior team, the Closing ceremony took place at the Bushnell Performing Art Center, located in Hartford, approximately one hour away from New Haven. The ceremony specifically took place in Mortensen Hall, which offers numerous unique features. Notably, the hall showcases Drama, the largest hand-painted ceiling mural of its kind in the United States, suspended from the roof with multiple metal supports.

Similar to the Junior team's ceremony, the Senior team's Closing ceremony also began with the introduction of flag bearers. The flag ceremony carried significant meaning, emphasizing the opportunity for each participant to proudly proclaim their platform. Through this ceremony, everyone joined in celebrating and congratulating each other's success and growth throughout the WSC ToC experience. The Closing ceremony served as the culmination of our scholars' remarkable efforts and unwavering enthusiasm.

The Closing ceremony served as a culmination of the tremendous efforts and unwavering enthusiasm displayed by all our scholars. It was a moment of great satisfaction as CISH scholars achieved remarkable success, earning a total of 14 medals. Notably, our Junior team, consisting of Rhaon, Hana, and Victoria, distinguished themselves by securing an impressive tally of 10 medals. Moreover, our Solo senior scholar, Eric, stood out by earning an impressive total of 4 medals. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the scholars for their outstanding performances and well-deserved accomplishments.

WSC ToC is a new level of success

While competitions typically serve as events to validate pre-existing knowledge and skills, the World Scholars Cup Tournament of Champions (WSC ToC) offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage in exclusive activities that promote original learning at the Yale site. These activities have been enhanced from the previous global rounds of the competition. The following are some of the notable upgrades offered at the WSC ToC;

Cultural Fair

This year marked a significant change for the Cultural Fair, as it took place outdoors for the first time on the picturesque grounds of the Yale Old Campus. The students had the opportunity to admire the stunning gardens that adorn the Yale Old Campus, creating a delightful atmosphere. Moreover, this event served as a special occasion where both the Junior and Senior divisions of CISH came together, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie, allowing everyone to experience the joy of togetherness.

Scholars Show  

The Scholars Show proved to be a remarkable showcase of talent, taking the performance to a whole new level. Scholars from around the world took the stage to display their individual or team-based talents, leaving the audience in awe. The variety of performances was extensive, ranging from modern dance, ballet, and hip-hop choreography to jazz, instrumental performances, magic shows, traditional group dances, heartfelt arias, and even scholar's own songs.  Notably, the Scholars Show offered moments that evoked deep emotions. Scholars could hear a song expressing the pain of unrequited love, but it was important not to misunderstand the context. Despite the soft rendition of "You are smiling, and I'm crying," the song cleverly intertwined the theme of mathematics. These performances showcased the incredible creativity and ingenuity of the scholars, offering a glimpse into their multifaceted abilities.

Above all, the Scholars Show served as a testament to the dedication and hard work that each scholar puts in day by day. It was a celebration of their collective enjoyment of the journey, highlighting the shared experiences and camaraderie that made the event truly exceptional.

Scholars Ball  

The Scholars Ball, a much-anticipated event, took place on the day preceding the Closing ceremony. Scholars eagerly dressed up for the occasion, immersing themselves in an evening of music, new friendships, and dancing. The College Street Music Hall served as the ideal venue, providing a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of college life.

At the Scholars Ball, our Junior scholars truly shone and left a lasting impression on everyone present. Their energy and enthusiasm filled the College Street Music Hall, creating an unforgettable night of celebration and enjoyment.

College Panel  

Following the Scholars Show, an important event known as the College Panel took place. This session provided an opportunity to hear the personal stories and experiences of Yale University students from diverse academic backgrounds. Attendees had the chance to ask questions of their own and receive one-on-one answers, allowing for a deeper understanding of the students' journeys.  During the Senior scholars' time, in particular, there was a remarkable turnout of eager questioners, resulting in a significant backlog. Consequently, the College Panel extended beyond its scheduled duration, concluding approximately an hour and a half later than planned. Despite the delay, the session remained engaging and informative, offering valuable insights into the student experience at Yale University.  

Boston Tour  

Situated approximately two hours away from New Haven, the city of Boston provided an exciting opportunity for students to explore renowned educational institutions such as Harvard and MIT, as well as visit the vibrant Quincy Market. The visit to Boston resulted in a collection of joyful moments captured in photographs, showcasing the students' enthusiasm and creating lasting memories. It is evident that these pictures truly reflect the happiness experienced during the trip.

And More Fun  

In addition to the activities mentioned earlier, scholars had the opportunity to embark on further exciting adventures within the Yale area. Some of the notable attractions included the New Haven Zoo, the Yale art center, and Olmo Bagel, which holds the distinction of being the winner of the New York bagel contest.These additional attractions complemented the overall experience, providing scholars with a well-rounded and enjoyable time in the Yale area.

This is not our last battle

The World Scholars Cup Tournament of Champions (WSC ToC) is an extensive journey, spanning a duration of eight days in terms of the competition schedule alone. However, when factoring in travel time to and from the event, participants must invest over 10 days in total. Throughout this demanding period, there is little room for relaxation, and the effects of jet lag may be felt.

Despite the challenges, a remarkable phenomenon occurs. Scholars find themselves filled with a sense of excitement and an unparalleled level of energy that keeps fatigue at bay throughout the day. The presence of enthusiastic and energetic scholars from around the world creates an atmosphere where everyone is inspired to give their utmost effort.

Upon completing the rigorous series of competitions and activities, scholars come to a profound realization: this tournament is not their final battle but rather a stepping stone for future growth. This realization extends to anyone reading this report, urging them to embrace the opportunity to experience personal development on a whole new level.

In addition, our CISH School Head, Ms. Mitchell, made significant efforts to coordinate and provide support for our scholars both before their departure to Yale and throughout their stay there. The CISH continued to support your opportunity, emphasizing the importance of seizing the chance to achieve a new level of success at the WSC at Yale round.