In the blink of an eye, 3 years have passed, and the day of graduation from highschool is almost upon us Having known each other for the entirety of our days in Zhong Zheng Senior High, I’ve had many opportunities to get to know how my peers view “life” itself Though it’s nearly time for us to go our separate ways, I hope the time we have spent together has inspired you, our readers, to gain new outlooks on life, and will continue to cause ripples across your future
--- And How We See Them as Teenagers, Before the World Tells Us Otherwise
ETHICS
"Ethics is about understanding what is right and wrong, and making decisions based on moral principles."
-Coco Ting
Ethics is perhaps the most important force keeping us grounded and human. It is the foundation of healthy connections and a prospering society, and it also leads to great character and personality, making those who are ethical great people to get along with
-Kevin Zhang
People have different moral standards The difference in people's opinion of right or wrong often leads to controversy Having ethics also helps keep a person in check, serving as a mental restriction to protect other people from our own shenanigans. A person without ethics will often being danger to those around them, such as serial killers.
-Joanna Tan
AGING
“Aging is a process of growth. It also gives us a reason to live, for if aging did not exist, people wouldn’t be able to find the meaning of life.”
-Joy Hsu
FATE
“Fate refers to the predetermined events or outcomes in life, often determined by forces beyond personal control.”
-Crysta Chen
No one can escape aging. Ironically, many elderly people have repeatedly proven that people become extremely stubborn and have many strange values when they get old. For example, my junior high school teachers were perfect examples Of course, I still keep telling myself never to be that bad a person
-Eric Tsai
It refers to the events or circumstances that affect the course of one ' s life, which are beyond personal control or prediction It is often viewed as a force that shapes life experiences, whether good or bad, to some extent. Different cultures and beliefs have varying interpretations of fate, some viewing it as predetermined, while others see it as random or influenced by personal choices.
-Shaina Zhang
Fate can be both good and bad. At times, we lament our misfortunes, feeling that luck has favored others instead of us. Yet, we often overlook the fact that those who truly find success have already laid countless stepping stones before the opportunity even arrives, and fate merely gives them a gentle push toward success. Therefore, we should not be fixated on the ups and downs of fate, but instead focus on doing our best to strive for success.
-Natacha Hung
Photo taken by Ethan Tung
Photo taken by Sunny Lin
Photo taken by Joy Hsu
taken by James Kao
COURAGE
HOPE
“Hope is a certain degree of perseverance, which means that when a person has hope, he also believes that something positive will become a reality.”
-Sean Lin
Hope seems to be the answer for those who are in despair, but sometimes, it can also be the final straw. People can be productive and delightful when there is hope in their mind, but when the all hope is gone, it could drive someone crazy Having inappropriate hope just makes you delusional
-Joy Hsu
In my opinion, hope is wanting something good to happen in the future. It helps us keep moving forward, even when things are tough. Hope is important because it makes us feel better and believe that things can get better
-Karen Lin
“Courage is the strength to face fear and challenges, allowing us to break through difficulties and stand by our choices. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward despite it.”
-Emily Chen
Courage is a force that pushes us to experience new things and weather new storms and challenges thrown in our way. It is a great source of motivation and would guide us through different situations Courage in its essence however, is not the absense of fear, which is what many believe To me, the best interpretation of courage is the ability to act in the presence of fear
-Kevin Zhang
Having courage doesn't mean not being afraid, but rather being willing to accept your own unease and keep moving forward. I think courageous people are really admirable. Even though they are scared, they don't let fear hold them back and steadfastly move toward their goals I want to learn from them
-Nina Yang
DREAM
“Dreams are the guiding light within us, inspiring us to strive for a better version of ourselves.”
-Emily Chen
A dream is a goal that one deeply desires to achieve, providing strong motivation that drives people to continuously improve and grow. For different aspects of life, I have different dreams. For example, I want to complete the Sun Moon Lake swimming challenge to push my limits and enhance my skills As for my future career, I aspire to become a nurse.
-Vivian Yeh
SCIENCE
"Science is a tool for exploring the world, revealing truths and improving life through observation and experimentation."
-Max Chen
Science, to me, is what makes me more curious about the world I remember when I first understood quantum physics, I was totally amazed. Science makes me feel like there are so many fascinating things in the world waiting for me to explore
-Sean Wu
Photo
Photo taken by Nina Yang
SUCCESS
“Success is the state or condition of achieving a defined range of expectations.”
-Sean Lin
Success is achieving one ' s goals through effort, perseverance, and smart decisions. It can be personal growth, career advancement, or happiness. In fact, I think success can not be defined. True success is not just wealth or fame but fulfillment and making a positive impact
-Vivian Yeh
WRITING
“Writing is a way to express thoughts and emotions, turning our inner world into words Through writing, we record, create, and connect with others on a deeper level ”
-Emily Chen
“Success is not just about achieving goals or achieving external achievements...”
COMMUNICATION
“Communication is the process of sharing information, ideas, feelings, thoughts between individuals or groups.”
-Sophia Tai
Communication is often the most ineffective form of exchange I believe that many times, there are more ways to convey our thoughts than just words Yet, despite this, communication remains one of our most essential skills No matter how awkward we may be, we should never give up on connecting with others. Try to understand.
-Leo Lin
Communication is undoubtedly the fastest way to interact directly with others. Many people still can't communicate well with others, which is really bad. But it also gave me an opportunity to practice my emotional control, which honestly helped a lot. This makes me a reasonable person, and I would like to thank those people.
-Eric Tsai
Learning to communicate harmoniously is an essential skill in this society. Whether studying or working, we have family, friends and partners Effective communication can help us understand the people around us better
-Nina Yang
“Writing is about finding your inner self.”
Writing is something both essential and also beautiful Writing skills are the core of learning a language, and good writing could not only successfully communicate ones ideas to one another, it could also lead to magnificent forms of artistic expression, such as poetry or novel writing Is it a crucial part of history, as only written records could be reliable sources of information among historical evidence, Writing further enhances the effectiveness and vividness of storytelling, emphasizing and amplifying all the neglected details that couldn't be simply described.
-Kevin Zhang
Photo taken by Fay Tu
Photo taken by Vivian Yeh
PERSEVERANCE
“Perseverance is the quality of continuing to pursue a goal or sticking with a task, despite difficulties, setbacks, or challenges.”
-Sophia Tai
Perseverance is the best solution when facing difficulties. Perseverance helps me get through any kind of adversity, including but not limited to any kind of competition, test, or performance
-Eric Tsai
HAPPINESS
“It’s about having the determination and resilience to keep going, even when things get tough or progress is slow!”
“Happiness is a enjoyable feeling, we think positively when we feel happy, every person deserves to have happiness.”
-Joy Hsu
Happiness is inner peace and contentment, coming from appreciating life and fostering harmonious relationships When we learn to cherish the present and let go of the past, happiness naturally flows, showing that it is not an endpoint to pursue but a mindset in life
-Max Chen
DISCIPLINE
"Discipline refers to the practice of training oneself or others to follow rules, standards, or guidelines, often involving selfcontrol, responsibility, and the ability to make good choices "
-Harry Li
Discipline is not just about following rules, it is an important force of self-control and perseverance. I believe true and effective discipline lies in finding a balance between structure and freedom
-Nina Yang
“Every choice is important no matter big or small, that's why we should always think before we choose.”
Discipline is important in all areas of life whether it's in personal development, work, studies, or health because it helps people stay on track, improve over time, and reach their potential Essentially, discipline is about doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it
-Alexa Hsieh
CHOICE
“Choice is the process of making decisions from different options, affecting the future regardless of size.”
-Cherry Chen
I believe there are no absolutely right or wrong choices, only choices that suit us or not. I hope the major I have chosen is the most suitable for me, and I wish that in the future, I can proudly say that I am a graduate of that university
-Vivian Yeh
Photo taken by Nina Yang
Photo taken by Natacha Hung
"Family is the warmest refuge in life."
Family
BY JOANNA TAN
Family is a group of people that we are forced to be a part of since the moment we are born Most of the time, they are the people we have the deepest bonds with, people who we can share both happy and sad moments to, and our shelter whenever things get dire But there are also some unfortunate people who are born into extremely controlling and unsupportive families Although familial bonds can never be severed completely, if being in the presence of family does not bring one happiness, I believe it's best to leave them as soon as possible and start over a new life I consider myself extremely lucky to have family members that respect and are willing to support my choices regardless of their personal views. That's why I will never take them for granted, and will in turn support them if they ever need me
"No matter how busy life gets, family always provides support and love "
Responsibility
BY SUNNY LIN
As the leader of the honor guard, I not only led the team to train, but also had to deal with various emergencies At first, I felt very stressed, but later I found that responsibility is not just a burden, but an opportunity to grow This experience made me more mature and made me understand that the sense of responsibility is not only to do things well, but also to be responsible for the team and myself. Since then, I was no longer afraid of taking responsibility, but took it as an opportunity to hone myself
BY MAGGIE CHEN
There was a time when I had to take responsibility for a group project I was leading It was stressful because everything depended on my decisions I learned that responsibility is more than just doing tasks it’s about making sure others are supported and holding yourself accountable for outcomes This experience made me feel more mature, as I understood the weight of leadership and decisionmaking It changed how I view responsibility, seeing it not just as an obligation, but as something that shapes growth and trust
Leadership
BY NATACHA HUNG
I once served as a team leader while working on a school project, taking on the responsibilities of assigning tasks and monitoring progress Initially, I did not volunteer to become the leader, but after a group discussion, I was assigned the role During my time as a leader, I realized that each team member had different strengths and was suited for different tasks, so I needed to carefully allocate responsibilities Additionally, this experience helped me develop patience When team members fell behind schedule or encountered difficulties, I had to communicate with them and work together to review and improve our approach.
“HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAD TO STEP UP AS A LEADER?”
Photo taken by Cherry Chen
Photo taken by Joy Hsu
by Joanna Tan
Sometimes it's hard to accept the cold, hard truth, but to me, a white lie wouldn't be any better than the truth When I ask someone for their opinion, it means I want them to provide me with genuine suggestions to help me improve, not to spout out a white lie just to patronize me while keeping their true thoughts to themselves. If I think my opinion might be a bit hard for others to swallow, I'll choose my wordings carefully to soften the blow, while also holding hopes I can help them improve.
Shaina Zhang
One time I went to a friend’s place for dinner He had cooked everything himself it was clear he put in a lot of effort. Halfway through the meal, he asked me, “So, how’s the food?” Honestly, the soup was way too salty But I just smiled and said, “It’s really good you’re getting better at this ” I wasn’t worried about hurting his feelings. I could just tell he put his heart into the meal. I felt like in that moment, he didn’t need a food critique he needed encouragement We kept having dinners after that, and his cooking actually improved Later on, I gently gave him some tips too by
“Knowledge is the light that illuminates life, helping us see further and think deeper.”
KNOWLEDGE
by Nina Yang
I'm not usually very eager for knowledge, but whenever I travel and encounter new things I've never seen before, like cultural differences, I always feel the urge to search online After learning about them, I feel a great sense of accomplishment
by Toby Huang
I hope to gain a deep understanding of finance and economics, as this will be the foundation of my future career and the focus of my intended college major In addition to acquiring professional knowledge, I also aim to enhance my skills in negotiation, debate, and interpersonal communication These soft skills are essential for building strong relationships, increasing influence, and succeeding in the workplace. I believe that by combining expertise with effective communication, I will be well-equipped to thrive in my future career.
HABIT
by Eric Tsai
I used to talk very loudly and thought it was okay to be heard What made me realize how harmful loudness can be was a certain get out of class break during my sophomore year of high school, which got me into a lot of trouble. After that, I learned to control the volume of my chatting with others and successfully got rid of this bad habit
"Habits are the accumulation of daily actions, quietly shaping our character and future. "
Photo taken by Natacha Hung
Photo taken by Vivian Yeh
Think of a moment when everything in your life seemed to shift overnight.
CHANGE
by Alexa Hsieh
I often stay up late thinking about things about life’s values, or even reflecting on myself During those moments, I usually come to realize that I should probably make some changes in my life to become a better version of myself. And the next morning, after all that thinking, my mindset tends to shift I guess I just long for a better life in every way
LOYALTY
by Natacha Hung
When I was in sixth grade, I came across a skinny and dirty kitten near my neighborhood. Out of sympathy, I brought it home and made up my mind to take good care of it However, at that time, I was also facing the heavy pressure of preparing for middle school. Between my upcoming school life and the fragile life of a tiny kitten, I chose to stay loyal to the kitten I believed its life was just as precious, and that I could always work harder on my studies later on If I had the chance to go back in time, I would still choose to stay by that kitten’s side and watch it grow up
RESILIENCE
by Sophia Tai
When I was on the school team, I had to practice every day. Because of my improper posture during training, I suffered a serious injury and had to rest for a whole year After recovering, I returned to team practice I thought about giving up several times during the process, but I managed to survive in the end. Our primary school coach told me: Persistence comes from love, and achievement comes from perseverance. I relied on the coach's words to survive countless low moments when I wanted to give up.
FRIENDSHIP
by Joanna Tan
Over the span of 18 years, I have made quite a lot of friends But most of these friends can only be deemed as acquaintances I have slightly stronger bonds with, while only a select few are people I truly resonate with, and have been with me through thick and thin. Although it's true that I rarely meet up with my good friends from elementary school and junior highschool, we still have get-togethers whenever we miss each other One exception though, is my best friend all the way back from elementary school. We still meet up with each other every month or so to chat and play volleyball, and it fills me with joy to know that's one friendship I have yet to outgrow
"Every setback is an opportunity to grow stronger. "
Photo taken by Eric Tsai
EQUALITY
by Alexa Hsieh
IPeople have always advocated for gender equality, but nowadays, there seems to be a lot of debate online about what true equality actually looks like Women are expressing their vision of what they believe equality should be, while men often dismiss it, claiming it's just feminism gone too far and not real equality But what these women want is simply for everyone to be able to stand on equal ground. Yet, some men react as if, once women stand up, it means they themselves will be forced to lie down
IDENTITY
by Toby Huang
To most people, I seem like an outgoing, energetic person someone who’s always full of life and never runs out of smiles But deep down, I often feel helpless and exhausted, and sometimes all I want is to be alone in silence This contrast may not be easy for others to understand, but it’s a real part of who I am.
Have you ever forgiven someone who didn’t say sorry?
FORGIVENESS
by Joanna Tan
One of my childhood acquaintances used to pick on me every opportunity he got when we were young, whether by calling me stupid nicknames or making unflattering doodles of me, he came up with very creative methods just to make me feel uncomfortable in my own skin I was extremely relieved when I moved to Taiwan and didn't have to see him ever again. But 10 years passed and we met once again due to our parents being close friends. Both of us grew up and became more mature than we were in the past. While no words of apology were spoken, at least he was nice and polite this time around Perhaps all his actions stemmed from his childishness, and who can say that they've never been childish before? That's why I eventually chose to forgive him, even though he didn't even ask for it
Photo taken by Joy Hsu
by Sunny Lin
Yes, I’ve forgiven someone who never apologized At first, it felt unfair, but over time I realized forgiveness is more about setting myself free than waiting for someone else’s regret It taught me that forgiveness isn’t about them it’s about healing myself
"True fairness and harmony come when every person has the chance to pursue their dreams."
Photo taken by Joanna Tan
REGRET
by Natacha Hung
I still can’t forget the time in my first year of high school when I decided to attend a cram school that was very far from home Despite the long distance, I stuck with it for two and a half years. Although I sometimes felt exhausted and even thought about giving up, seeing my academic progress, little by little, gave me the motivation to keep going If I hadn’t made that choice back then, I might have never experienced the rare and valuable sense of accomplishment it brought me.
by Sophia Tai
Avoiding regret can be challenging, as life inevitably involves making decisions, some of which may not always turn out as expected. However, there are strategies you can use to reduce the likelihood of regret and make choices that align more closely with your values and goals.I often do things that I regret, whether it's choices or decisions However, I think now that I have made this decision, I just do what I have to do. I will learn from the mistakes.
Have you ever felt completely alone even when surrounded by others?
LONELINESS TRAVELING
by Joy Hsu
I have been shy since I was a child and feel that I don’t want to be in contact with many people in my future work. But one time I stayed abroad, and I felt very lonely because I was shy and had no one to talk to I discovered that I actually really need friends and interaction with people. Although I also need time to rest alone, I also enjoy interacting with people.
by Vivian Yeh
During the summer of 2023, I traveled to Portugal. Before the trip, I had just gone through a period of self-doubt, so I saw this journey as a healing experience In the open and free-spirited atmosphere there, I witnessed the many different sides of people their personalities, body types, and styles didn’t have to conform to mainstream beauty standards. I realized that I could become anyone I wanted to be.
"Traveling is a journey to seek oneself. The places I’ve been to, the scenery I’ve admired they all become a part of who I am. So, when I feel lost, I embark on a journey with myself to seek answers, to rediscover who I am."
