“买菜做饭就和做化学实验一样，放多少食材、加多少调料，不同比例就会有不同口感，我还挺喜欢鼓捣美食的。”

在人生的厨房里，Cathy——这位即将从狄邦华曜学校毕业的G12学生，也正高温沸腾着属于自己的梦想料理。手握UIUC、UC Santa Barbara、UC Davis、UC Irvine、匹兹堡大学、俄亥俄州立大学、宾夕法尼亚州立大学等7所知名大学化学专业offer的她，如今正独自一人生活，会在放学后自己买菜做饭，为即将面临的海外留学生活做好充足准备。

相比于等候早申放榜时的或焦虑、或兴奋的状态，眼下的Cathy显然平和轻盈了许多。言谈间，能感受到她对化学的热爱并非纸上谈兵，而是融入了日常生活的琐碎。

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"Buying groceries and cooking is just like conducting a chemistry experiment; the amount of ingredients you use, the quantity of seasonings added, different ratios yield different tastes. I actually enjoy tinkering with culinary delights quite a bit."

In the kitchen of life, Cathy – an upcoming G12 graduate from Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan – is crafting her own dream recipe with passion. Holding offers from seven prestigious universities, including UIUC, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Irvine, the University of Pittsburgh, the Ohio State University, and the Pennsylvania State University, all for their Chemistry programs, she is now living independently, doing grocery shopping and cooking for herself after school. This experience is helping her prepare for the overseas study adventure that awaits.

Compared to the anxiety and excitement during the Early Decision period, Cathy now seems much calmer and more at ease. In conversation, it's clear that her love for chemistry goes beyond textbooks and is intertwined with her daily life.

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Cathy的父母都是化学领域的从业者，他们在家中热衷于园艺，常常给花草施肥。在耳濡目染下，Cathy从小就对各种瓶瓶罐罐产生了浓厚的兴趣，并喜欢在户外探索大自然的奥秘。

小学时有一次，她和表妹玩得尽兴时，泡泡水正好用完了，表妹提议再买一瓶新的，但Cathy却突发奇想：“为什么我们不自己制作一瓶呢？”于是，她和表妹开始尝试用沐浴露和香皂兑水，不断调整水的比例，当一个巨大的泡泡成功吹出时，热爱化学的种子也从那一刻起在Cathy心中生根发芽，她想要去做更多的神奇实验。

后来，在父母的支持和引导下，Cathy有幸参观了真正的科研实验室。试剂瓶、显微镜、数据看板等精密仪器，让Cathy窥见了化学学科的深邃奥秘，她不禁感叹道：“这真的太酷了！”正是这次经历，让她早早就坚定了自己大学升学的专业方向——化学及相关学科。

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Cathy's parents both work in the field of chemistry and are avid gardeners, often fertilizing their plants. Growing up in this environment, Cathy developed a keen interest in various bottles and jars and enjoyed exploring the mysteries of nature outdoors.

One day in primary school, while playing with her cousin, they ran out of bubble solution. Her cousin suggested buying a new bottle, but Cathy had a sudden thought: "Why don't we make our own?" Together, they started experimenting with mixing shower gel and soap with water, constantly adjusting the water ratio. When they finally blew a large bubble, Cathy's passion for chemistry was ignited, inspiring her to pursue more magical experiments.

Later, with her parents' support, Cathy had the opportunity to visit a real research laboratory. The sight of reagent bottles, microscopes, data boards, and other precision instruments revealed the profound mysteries of chemistry to her, prompting her to exclaim, "This is so cool!" This experience solidified her resolve to pursue chemistry and related fields in university.

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如果说梦想就读化学专业犹如一颗子，那么狄邦华曜学校无疑是提供了养分充足的土壤，给予这颗种子自由生长的机会。在校期间Cathy倾注的每一滴汗水皆是滋养这粒种子茁壮成长的珍贵甘霖。

早在G10，Cathy就在校园内发起了一场名为“STEAM For Girls”的Life Block，旨在激发女生对科学、技术、工程、艺术与数学（STEAM）的热情，鼓励她们在这些传统上被认为男性主导的领域崭露头角，追寻自己的科学梦想。然而，随着时间的推移，这一社团发生了引人瞩目的演变，如今已更名为“STEAM For YOUNG”。

“最初创建这个Life Block的初衷确实是希望助力女生打破性别壁垒，但在实际的教学互动与社团运营过程中，我发现许多男同学对‘STEAM For Girls’的初衷存在误解，他们往往困惑于为何女性会被视为科学领域的“弱势群体”，甚至有人将性别平等的倡导误解为激进的女权运动。”Cathy提及更名的原因如是说。

面对部分男生的观点，Cathy加以反思并深刻认识到，推动性别平等并非仅仅是女性单方面的觉醒与抗争，更需要男性的积极参与与理解支持。因此，Cathy决定以更包容、更柔和的方式去引导全体学生，让他们意识到STEAM教育并非专属某一性别的特权，而是所有对科学抱有热爱、对知识充满好奇的年轻学子共享的探索平台。“有些男生对化学、物理有着同样的热忱，他们的才华与兴趣也不应在‘反性别标签’中被忽视。”Cathy这样表达。

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If aspiring to study chemistry is like planting a seed, then Huayao Collegiate undoubtedly provided the fertile soil for it to grow freely. Every drop of sweat Cathy invested during her time at school nourished this seed to flourish.

In G10, Cathy started a Life Block on campus called "STEAM For Girls," aiming to ignite girls' passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and encourage them to excel in these traditionally male-dominated fields. However, over time, this club evolved and is now known as "STEAM For YOUNG."

"Initially, the Life Block was created to help girls break through gender barriers," Cathy explains. "But during teaching interactions and club operations, I noticed that many male students misunderstood the purpose of 'STEAM For Girls.' They often wondered why women were seen as the 'underrepresented group' in science, and some even misconstrued advocacy for gender equality as radical feminism."

Reflecting on these perspectives, Cathy realized that promoting gender equality requires not only women's awakening and struggle but also active participation and understanding from men. Consequently, Cathy decided to adopt a more inclusive approach, guiding all students to see that STEAM education is a platform for everyone who loves science and is curious about knowledge. "Some boys have the same enthusiasm for subjects like chemistry and physics, and their talents and interests should not be overlooked," Cathy emphasized.

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狄邦华曜学校高度重视学生声音与选择（Voice & Choice），始终营造着一种畅所欲言、开放尊重的氛围。这一理念贯穿于特色课程Life Block的设计与实施之中。尽管Life Block作为一种必修课程，通常由经验丰富的教师引领，但学校鼓励学生主动发声、提出创新构想。正如Cathy主导的“Steam For Young”项目，学校会不遗余力提供全方位的支持与帮助，提供资源、协助规划，助力学生的创新思维落地，并培养学生的领导力。

在这样的环境中，学生不仅勇于表达自我，更懂得接纳差异，从而不断调整观念，成长为更具同理心与包容精神的个体。Cathy坚信，只有当整个校园文化对性别平等的认知提升到一个新的层次，形成普遍共识，才能真正营造一个不分性别、兼容并蓄的科学教育环境，才能更好地帮助女性，也帮助每一位热爱科学的青年。

无关性别，Cathy希望自己毕业后，一代又一代的狄邦华曜学子都能在“STEAM For YOUNG”找到属于自己的舞台，自由地探索、学习、创新，共同点亮科学的璀璨星空。

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Huayao Collegiate places great emphasis on students' voices and choices, fostering an environment of free expression and mutual respect. This philosophy is embedded in the design and implementation of its distinctive program, Life Block. While Life Block is typically guided by experienced instructors, the school encourages students to speak up and propose innovative ideas. In projects like Cathy's "STEAM For Young," the school provides comprehensive support and resources, assisting with planning and helping bring students' innovative thinking to life, thus nurturing their leadership skills.

In such an environment, students not only express themselves freely but also learn to embrace differences, growing into individuals with empathy and inclusiveness. Cathy firmly believes that only when campus culture reaches a new level of understanding and consensus on gender equality can a truly gender-neutral and inclusive environment for scientific education be cultivated, better empowering women and every science-loving student alike.

Transcending gender boundaries, Cathy hopes that after her graduation, generations of Huayao Collegiate students will find their own stage within "STEAM For YOUNG," freely exploring, learning, and innovating together, illuminating the brilliant cosmos of science.

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在“STEAM For YOUNG”的课堂上，Cathy更是身体力行地将平等开放的理念融入日常教学实践中。尽管男生们的加入让原本静谧有序的课堂瞬间热闹起来，甚至偶尔显得喧闹，但Cathy对此却报以理解和接纳。她回忆起自己小时候同样是个活泼好动的孩子，深知如何引导他们将这份活力转化为对科学持久的热情才是关键。

在她看来，化学作为一门理论与实践紧密结合的学科，如果仅局限于抽象的理论教学，难免会显得枯燥乏味。受到学校老师教学的启发，Cathy也同样精心挑选贴近生活的实例融入教学，旨在让环境科学、生物、化学、物理、数学等多学科之间实现更紧密、更自然的融合，创造一个跨学科交融的学习情境，让科学知识更具吸引力和实践意义。

比如在讲解“生态瓶”时，当谈及水和矿物质在生态系统中的重要作用，某个男生脱口而出“水土流失”。面对这一看似离题的插曲，Cathy并未视其为课堂秩序的扰乱，反而敏锐捕捉到了其中的教育契机。她鼓励这位学生，认为他的联想是非常好的知识引申，并建议他课后进行相关Research研究，下节课再与全班共同探讨“水土流失”的概念。

这种发散式思考不仅没有被Cathy否定，反而得到了积极的引导与肯定。Cathy表示，“自主Research在当今的AI时代十分重要，无论对于学术发展还是日常生活，学会如何正确的进行研究是一项不可或缺的技能。”

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In the "STEAM For YOUNG" classroom, Cathy embodies the principles of equality and openness in her teaching practices. While the inclusion of boys transformed the previously quiet and orderly class into a bustling one, Cathy welcomed this change. Remembering her own lively childhood, she knows how to channel this energy into a lasting passion for science.

For Cathy, chemistry, a subject deeply intertwined with theory and practice, can become dull if confined to abstract lectures. Inspired by her teachers, she selects real-life examples that resonate with students, integrating environmental science, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics into a multidisciplinary learning context, making scientific knowledge more appealing and practically meaningful.

For instance, while discussing the vital roles of water and minerals in ecosystems during a lesson on "ecospheres," a student mentioned "soil erosion." Instead of seeing this as a disruption, Cathy saw an educational opportunity. She encouraged the student, praising his relevant association and suggesting he conduct further research on soil erosion to share with the class, turning a spontaneous comment into a collaborative learning experience.

This divergent thinking is positively directed and affirmed by Cathy. She emphasizes, "Independent research is crucial in today's AI era, whether for academic advancement or everyday life. Learning how to conduct research properly is an indispensable skill."

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有了学校环境的土壤以及自身努力的水分，梦想这颗种子生根发芽更需要阳光的照射，而升学指导老师就恰似不可或缺的阳光，发挥着至关重要的光合作用，为Cathy的梦想之花提供了源源不断的能量源泉与温暖照耀。

从G9开始，Cathy就致力于塑造一份亮眼的GPA成绩单，同时积极投身于各类社会活动与学科竞赛，以丰富自己的实践经验，展示全面的个人能力。除了前期的积累，Cathy也深知大学申请远不止于此，特别是在个人陈述文书这一环节，它不仅是对申请者过往经历与未来愿景的深度诠释，更是打动招生官、赢得青睐的关键所在。

狄邦华曜学校的升学指导老师拥有十分丰富的文书写作经验，能根据Cathy申请的每所大学的特点与要求，精准提出有针对性的修改建议，助力其文书内容既彰显个性，又契合目标院校的期待，共打造出16份差异化的“个性名片”。此外，升学指导老师还能敏锐地洞察潜在风险，协助Cathy巧妙避开可能影响录取的雷区，最大限度地提高了获取心仪大学offer的可能性。

尽管有双语学校背景，Cathy在托福考试中却始终难以突破三位数的壁垒，多次尝试均止步于99分。面对这一困境，Cathy主动出击向学校的老师求助，寻求专业指导。经过深入分析，狄邦华曜学校的老师精准定位到阅读部分是阻碍Cathy取得高分的关键短板，并有针对性地制定强化学习方案，通过系统性的训练与专项提升，逐步弥补Cathy这一薄弱环节。与此同时，学校开设的ACT课程也为Cathy的知识拓展提供了助力，进一步提升了整体竞争力。

“我采取的是广撒网战略，申请的学校很多，时间线也各不相同，有学校升学老师帮助我审核复查资料，让我感到保障和安心。”Cathy如是说。然而，纵使全力以赴，大学申请之路仍非康庄坦途，Cathy也遭遇了被部分学校婉拒的时刻。面对这样的挫折，学校的老师们就像一束阳光，及时为她提供了无微不至的心理支持与安慰，同时深入剖析原因，引导她从中汲取经验，为后续的申请积累宝贵智慧。

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With the nurturing school environment and her dedication, Cathy's dream also needed guidance to sprout. The university guidance counselors at Huayao Collegiate played a crucial role, providing continuous support and insights.

Starting from G9, Cathy focused on achieving an impressive GPA while actively participating in social activities and academic competitions. She knew university applications involved much more, especially in crafting the personal statement – a key component to impress admissions officers.

Huayao Collegiate's counselors, with their extensive experience in essay writing, provided targeted suggestions for each university application, helping Cathy create 16 distinct "personal profiles." They also identified potential pitfalls and guided her to avoid issues that could affect her admission chances.

Despite her bilingual education background, Cathy struggled to surpass 100 points in the TOEFL exam, repeatedly scoring 99. She sought help from her school's teachers, who identified reading comprehension as the key area to improve. They created an intensive study plan, systematically addressing her weaknesses. Additionally, the school's ACT course further boosted her competitive edge.

"I applied to many schools with different timelines, and having the school's counselors review my materials gave me reassurance," Cathy shares. However, her university application journey was not without setbacks. She faced rejections from some institutions, but the school's counselors provided emotional support and guidance, helping her learn from the experience.

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尽管目前Cathy为了提前适应留学生活，选择了独自一人生活，但走读之前，Cathy也在狄邦华曜收获了2年宝贵的寄宿经历。谈到寄宿生活，她也有一些话想分享。

“我比较推荐在G10和G11这两个学业冲刺的阶段选择寄宿。首先，身处校园之内，即使稍晚起床，也能迅速投入学习状态。特别是在自习时段，遇到疑难问题或是需要额外辅导时，你只要前往教学楼就能随时向老师请教，甚至利用图书馆资源进行课题研究。”正如Cathy所说，狄邦华曜在每个时间段都安排了不同学科的专职老师进行坐班答疑，以便让学生第一时间“近水楼台”提升学习效率。

此外，寄宿生活的另一大益处则是能交到志同道合的学习搭子，形成独特的互助学习氛围，并从中收获友谊。Cathy说自己经常与Yolanda同学一起进行化学的学习，彼此的复习交流不仅加深了对知识的理解，更是多次在考前这样的关键时刻起到了“救星”般的辅助作用。

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Although Cathy is now living alone to prepare for overseas study, she previously gained two invaluable years of boarding experience at Huayao Collegiate School. Reflecting on her boarding life, she has some advice to share.

"I recommend boarding during the intense academic years of G10 and G11. Living on campus means you can quickly get into study mode, even if you wake up a bit later. During self-study sessions, if you encounter problems or need extra help, you can easily consult teachers or use library resources," Cathy says. Huayao Collegiate assigns teachers from different subjects to be available for questions, enhancing learning efficiency.

Another significant benefit of boarding life is the formation of close-knit study groups and a collaborative learning atmosphere. Cathy often studied chemistry with her classmate Yolanda, noting that their mutual revision sessions deepened their understanding and proved invaluable during exams.

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回溯在狄邦华曜度过的四年时光，Cathy心中满溢着感慨与期许。“学校是梦想起航之地，我很开心在此找到了人生志向，也希望后辈能够充分利用学校的平台和资源，早日将自己的兴趣变成热爱。大学申请并非短程冲刺，而是一个长期持续的事情，需要尽可能提前规划，学术能力与综合素质的提升皆需时间的沉淀。”Cathy如此寄语学弟学妹们。

访谈的尾声，一位一路陪伴Cathy成长、见证她蜕变的老师对Cathy说道：“你可以出国了！”这句话，如同一首悠扬的骊歌，既是对Cathy过去付出与收获的肯定，更是对未来无限可能的热烈期许。此刻，让我们共同将最诚挚的祝福送给Cathy，愿她在新的旅程中，继续秉持对科学的热爱与执着，以智慧与勇气照亮前行的道路，书写属于自己的精彩篇章。

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Looking back on her four years at Huayao Collegiate, Cathy feels a mix of gratitude and anticipation. "School is where dreams take flight, and I'm thrilled to have found my life's aspiration here. I hope future students will leverage the school's platforms and resources to turn their interests into passions early on. University applications are a long journey that requires advance planning. Both academic foundations and overall personal development need time to mature," Cathy advises younger students.

As the interview concludes, a teacher who has witnessed Cathy's growth says, "You're ready to go abroad!" These words, like a melodious farewell song, affirm Cathy's past efforts and accomplishments while warmly anticipating the endless possibilities ahead. At this moment, let's extend our heartfelt wishes to Cathy, hoping that she continues to uphold her love for science, illuminating her path with wisdom and courage, and writing her own brilliant chapters filled with excitement and achievement.

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