Catherine Zhou
Class of 2025
On Being Human, On Being Myself: Twelve Years of Growth and Inquiry
How do I become the fullest version of myself? This is the question I have pursued with relentless ambition and, even more often, with deep uncertainty throughout my twelve years at Pao School. In primary school, I saw my ideal self as an all-round achiever. I competed on five varsity teams, served as vice president of the student council, and earned a scholarship. Yet when anxiety set in during middle school, this carefully constructed sense of self-worth crumbled. For the first time, I was forced to confront my limits, to accept the constraints within which I must find my place.
During primary school, Catherine was actively involved in sports, public speaking, and other extracurricular activities.
What makes me, me? High school plunged me deeper into questioning the concept of ‘self’. Studying Simone de Beauvoir in Philosophy class, I came to perceive identity as a construct shaped by social forces, and thus subject to conscious reinvention. I began to interrogate accepted truths: from "this is the way things are" to "why are they this way, and is this way just?"; from passively accepting "this is reality" to "what other realities can we create?" Pao School’s cultivation of critical thinking instilled in me the instinct to resist passivity, to probe the pluralities and complexity beneath the surface.
This courage to inquire runs through my academic life. In my Extended Essay, I sought to reclaim the voice of artist Lee Krasner who has long been overlooked by the patriarchy of the art world. I explored sociopolitical subtexts in literature in great conversations with my English teacher, used imagery and color in art to explore the boundaries of ‘freedom’, and in our daily ‘5MOP’ (5 Minutes of Philosophy) sessions, watched my most deeply held beliefs dismantled by peers, only to piece together new ones through rigorous debate. Pao’s abundant resources and culture of inquiry have not only made me a more independent thinker but taught me that the pursuit of truth requires a willingness to sit with discomfort and embrace contradictions—a perpetual cycle of deconstruction and synthesis that hones clarity of ‘self’.
Won the Austria UWG U11 Girls' Volleyball World Runner-up in 2018
What does it mean to be human? This is the question Pao School has taught me to ask. Not in search of a definitive answer, but out of fascination with the question itself.
Curating my IB Art Exhibition, I stood before my self-portrait collage—assembled from countless cutouts that each represent a piece of my identity—and found clarity: in the very act of ‘becoming’, I have already become my fullest self.
Looking back on Catherine’s twelve-year journey at YK Pao School, her mother fondly recalls how her daughter took complete ownership of her studies. "You are the most laid-back parent I've ever seen," a friend told Catherine’s mother. However, when speaking of her daughter's growth, her eyes shine with pride - she has grown into a graceful young lady. She is kind and warm, always putting others' needs first; she is cheerful and confident, handling any situation with poise; and she is talented in academics, the arts, and sports.
"I believe we owe all this to Pao School," her mother remarked, "which has protected her innate beauty and innocence, helped her discover her passions and potential, and allowed her to shine in her own way. This has also enabled us, as parents, to let go with peace of mind, celebrating her growth and achievements together in a harmonious parent-child relationship."
Patton Lai
Class of 2025
My journey at YK Pao School began in Year 8, halfway through the 2021 academic year. This was during the pandemic, and I had decided to make the move from Hong Kong to Shanghai, at 13 years of age. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing, and hadn’t thought through the challenges I would eventually face. I was a bit naïve, but the change has served as a great opportunity for learning and character growth.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced, as soon as I arrived, was learning to converse in Mandarin. I was placed in Chinese A, the course for native speakers, even though I was a Cantonese speaker who had only taken an hour of Mandarin classes per week. Not only did I have to quickly learn a new language, I had to adapt from traditional Chinese characters to simplified characters. This was not easy, but with help from my Chinese A class teacher, and from my fellow classmates, it was made possible. My teacher suggested I challenge myself, as a new student, to speak to one new classmate every day. I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, resulting in the formation of new friendships along the way.
During my time at Pao School I have received invaluable support from my teachers. For instance, Mr. Daniel He provided me with extraordinarily helpful guidance when I was writing my IB essay. He led me through the whole research process, from the outline, through research and writing, to finding the right references, putting together a bibliography, and ultimately editing, until I reached the final draft. Without this support I would never have been able to complete my complicated 20-page research paper.
The Robotics Team is a great example of the many high-quality extracurriculars, or CCAs, offered by Pao School. This club embodies the idea of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. A lot of cross pollination happens there. We worked almost like a miniature company. I got to know how completing a project happens in the real world, with finance people, engineers, artists, and programmers working together to create a robot, which I oversaw as project manager. These experiences of collaborative work at Pao School have influenced my choices. As I further my studies at NYU, I hope to pursue a double major in both Computer Science and Business.
What I love about Pao School is the equal opportunities we all had. There is a great rate of change and mobility within the institution. My friend, Alex, who arrived in Year 8 with me, became the volleyball captain. I became head prefect and a leader on the robotics team. It doesn’t matter how long one has been at this school; everyone has a shot to become who they want to be. I would like to follow in the footsteps of Sir YK Pao and leverage my own skills and expertise to promote exchanges and interactions between different cultures and regions in the world.
Group photo of Patton's parents (top left), who are members of the Community Choir, with Philip Sohmen, Executive Deputy Chairman, at the Founder’s Day event.
When Patton's parents look back on their decision to transfer him from Hong Kong to Pao School four years ago, they especially appreciate the school’s unique blend of Eastern and Western educational philosophies. Living in Shanghai, an international metropolis, has given Patton the chance to expand his global perspective while also deepening his understanding of Chinese culture.
They consider Pao School remarkable for its state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding faculty, and nurturing, inclusive environment. Patton quickly adapted to boarding life, despite initial challenges posed by the pandemic. Surrounded by encouraging peers, he quickly developed resilience and self-management skills, thriving in this multicultural setting.
Witnessing Patton’s growth in such an environment has fully confirmed their belief in the decision the family made.
