At the end of January, Pao School held an exhibition called ‘101 Lives’ consisting of 140 photos contributed by 101 participants, both faculty and students, reflecting moments of meaning and happiness. The organizers, 11th-grade students Dorothy Luo and Daisy Dong, wanted the important moments in people's lives to be seen by others, understood, and cherished, in order to strengthen emotional bonds within the school community and deepen understanding between teachers and students.
Here is a selection of stories and memories shared by the faculty and students.
Barry Shen, Year 12 This photo was taken during a hiking trip in Xinjiang this year, when a few of us were walking on a mountain path. It could truly be considered a journey of a lifetime; I’ve never felt so free while hiking, especially during the high-pressure period of IB examinations and university applications. They say life is a wilderness, and at this age, we should try to take a few trips away from parents and friends, during which we don’t have to think about anything and can truly feel the meaning of freedom.
Louis Lu, Year 9 To me, this moment represents the purest form of peace and happiness—as if the entire world paused just for me to breathe and simply be. In that moment, a normally vibrant and energetic version of myself sat quietly on the grass. There were no worries, no distractions—just a deep sense of calm as I watched the sky, listened to the birds, and felt the warmth of the sun’s rays. It reminds me now that sometimes the simplest moments are the most meaningful, and that true contentment comes from appreciating the little things in life—like the company of man’s best friend and the quiet beauty of the natural world. This photo captures the essence of what I believe life is all about: finding joy and peace in the present moment.
Bruce Gao, Year 9 This photo was taken after our seventh-grade floorball team was defeated in the finals. It was a sad moment, but I’m still very happy that our class has so many people who love engaging in this sport together.
Mr. Benjamin Zhao, High School C4C History Teacher The gentle breeze caresses my face and the water ripples, as I walk along the banks of the Hao River, listening to nature. A family of black swans is gathered beside the river, which reminds me of a term that gained popularity years ago — ‘Black Swan Event.’ Life seems to be an accumulation of ‘black swans,’ with many things happening suddenly, leaving us unable to grasp them. Yet, if we do our best, we can also be a ‘black swan.’
Emily Liu, Year 12 This photo was taken during our trip to Hainan. A group of us had agreed to wake up before 6 AM and rushed out from our accommodation to the beach, in order to chase the sunrise. Someone had brought a speaker to play music, and we ended up listening to the sound of the waves on the rocks while watching the sun rise. It was an unforgettable morning, and I think I will cherish it forever.
Jason Chen, Year 10 I don’t usually take photos. I feel that this one represents the importance of giving myself time to relax amidst a busy academic life. My love for sports means that even in formal attire, I’ll take off my shoes and kick a ball during a brief break. Don’t let busyness consume your life; give yourself time to unwind.
Selina Xu, Year 11 “Spotlight” the messy raindrops outside the theatre turned into a tear, telling the story created by me, the author, and the world. In that moment, she must have truly existed, and I was alive too.
When the warm spotlight hit my face,
Zidan Yan, Year 11 This is a photo I took with my good friend while stargazing on a mountain top. It’s one of my happiest moments of 2024. What makes it unforgettable for me is not the stars themselves, but the people around me. Having my good friend by my side made that night sky even brighter and more beautiful.
Ms. Lydia Sokolovskaia, High School Physics Teacher I was studying Aircraft engineering when the opportunity to teach English in a public school in the Philippines came up. This was during my first time as 3A: Alone Abroad in Asia. At that time, I realized I wouldn’t continue working as an engineer, it just didn’t give me a spark. As soon as I entered the classroom, it all made sense. I knew.
Mark Rao, Year 11 I really like this photo because it not only marks the end of my IGCSE geography studies but also represents the successful conclusion of my Year 10 life. This photo captures a moment when I felt genuinely happy. As a formal group photo, it holds special nostalgic value for every classmate, much like a graduation photo. Ms. Andrea accompanied me through two years of geography studies in ninth and tenth grades, and we shared many enjoyable moments in class together.
