新少年·毕业起航｜杨圳源Eric：我的高中，有篮球、机器人和全力以赴的青春

In the summer of Grade 8, Eric was lost amid endless exam drills at a top public school. Burdened by constant exam pressure, he struggled to find his own pace. His passion for basketball was put aside, leaving his inner curiosity and hobbies unfulfilled.

He never imagined that the following four years of high school would turn into a vibrant and fulfilling journey.

While choosing schools, Eric and his parents followed his cousin’s recommendation. She graduated from the AP program of Shenzhen Experimental High School, the predecessor of Sendelta. She later studied Biology at the University of Virginia and pursued further studies in Biostatistics at Yale University. Even though Sendelta has grown from a campus-based program into an independent school with its own premises, she still fully recognizes its fine educational heritage rooted in Experimental School’s philosophy.

Inspired by this family role model, Eric firmly chose Sendelta, opening a brand-new path toward his future.

His high school years are filled with sweat and cheers on the basketball court, dedication and breakthroughs in the robotics lab, loyal teammates, constant courage, and steady growth.

In this episode of Young Talk Vol.66, let’s explore the inspiring youth of Eric, Class of 2026 graduate from Sendelta.

1

球场追风

把热爱变成并肩作战的荣光

Eric and Basketball

Basketball runs deep in Eric’s blood. Back when everyone focused solely on senior high school entrance exam preparation, playing basketball seemed like a luxury. Yet at Sendelta, his passion finally found its place.

He joined the school basketball team right after enrollment. In after-class ECA periods and free time, he spent every spare moment on the court. He honed passing, shooting and tactical teamwork. Sweaty jerseys marked his most relaxed and focused moments. In Grade 10, thanks to his steady temperament and outstanding leadership, he was appointed team captain, a role he held for three full years.

He led his teammates through daily training and numerous inter-school matches. In 2025, his team claimed the men’s basketball championship of the Shenzhen International School League. In 2026, they achieved three straight victories at the Ivy International Sports Olympiad South China Division and qualified for the national finals, ready to compete against top teams across the country.

"Eric is a dedicated captain and outstanding player respected by the whole team," said Yurri, his basketball coach of four years.

"No one fights alone on the court; everyone strives for the same goal," Eric shared. Basketball brought him far more than trophies. It gave him like-minded friends, the grit to rise after setbacks, and the teamwork spirit to stay united amid difficulties. To his coach, he is a reliable and admired leader. To Eric himself, every cheer and teamwork moment on the court forms the most vivid joy of his high school life.

2

科创逐梦

从零开始，逆袭赛场黑马

Chasing Dreams in Science & Innovation

If basketball shapes the core of Eric’s youth, robotics is the unexpected light that brightens his high school days.

Upon entering Grade 9, he got his first taste of robotics. Gradually exploring parts assembly, coding and equipment debugging, he soon fell in love with this challenging field.

In Grade 10, Eric founded the Sendelta VEX Robotics Club together with two friends. Starting with merely three members, they had no dedicated venue and practiced in the FRC club space. Lacking experience, they looked up materials and kept experimenting. They devoted themselves to perfecting assembly, programming, pre-match preparation and on-site strategies, never giving up despite countless failures.

The small team later expanded into a group of over 30 members. With strong school support, the club gained exclusive activity spaces and complete facilities, gathering more robotics enthusiasts. Eric led the team to compete in major international events including VEX, FRC and RCJ. They claimed championships in Shenzhen and Guangzhou contests, and secured the South China regional title at the VEX Asian Robotics Championship among nearly 400 top teams across four southern provinces.

His most unforgettable experience was a stunning comeback victory. Having only two wins and six losses in round-robin matches, they ranked low and were the last to be picked for alliance matches against powerful opponents. Yet the team stayed motivated, reviewed weaknesses late into the night and stayed calm during competitions. They fought their way to the championship and became the biggest dark horse.

At the end of April, the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship concluded in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Known as the Olympics of robotics, this top-tier event gathered elite teams worldwide. Eric claimed the division runner-up, marking a perfect end to his high school robotics competition journey.

"There is no greater sense of achievement than turning plain parts into functional robots and leading a team to bounce back from adversity," Eric said with a smile. His robotics journey has pointed out his future path and taught him that perseverance and teamwork can always create miracles.

3

不被定义的高中

既有热爱，也有远方

Beyond Definition

Eric’s high school life was never confined to heavy schoolwork. Instead, he lived every fulfilling and passionate day following his true passions.

Now holding multiple offers in Mathematics and Electronic Engineering from top American universities, he is set to further pursue his dreams in the world’s leading hub for robotics and engineering education. His remarkable achievements stem not from rigid rote studying, but from passion-fueled growth and rich experience gained in various competitions. The perseverance forged by basketball, the concentration cultivated through robotics projects, and the maturity nurtured by teamwork have all become solid strength supporting him toward a promising future.

Looking back on these four years, Eric says it has been a regretless journey. He had passions to pursue, companions to walk alongside, courage to try new things, joy of success, and calmness in setbacks. This is truly the finest version of youth.