Jamie Song: Oof, so many animals to choose from. But I’ll go with Iggy Azalea, “Get my money on time, if they not money, decline.”

JS: My biggest role model would have to be my sister, who’s 12 years older than me and actually graduated from Harriton. Though she brought the real “Asian Mom” discipline to my childhood, she also taught me a lot about global cultures, new music, good food and a ton of other things that I’m truly grateful for.

JS: I hit up the clubs duh #turnup

…nah, I just sleep.

JS: My joining Science Olympiad in 7th grade was admittedly a result of peer pressure, but it turned out to be a huge turning point in my life. Olympiad’s provided me with a deep passion for science that has – in all seriousness – shaped my aspirations and goals for my entire life. The best part about Science Olympiad at Harriton is definitely our amazing community of underclassmen and upperclassmen who always have each others’ backs, even in our darkest moments. If it weren’t for the collective drive and spirit, we would be nowhere near where we are today.

JS: Unfortunately, being a studier in Science Olympiad means that the only books I read again and again are textbooks…so the book I have read the most over the past 2 years is probably Concepts of Genetics by William S. Klug. A close runner-up would be Campbell Biology. Sorry, George R.R. Martin, I would have read A Song of Fire and Ice if I had the time!

JS: …smug winner. Throughout my life, I’ve felt really annoyed at those who look down on and bad-mouth defeated opponents, so I have always tried to be good-spirited in the face of defeat and humble in victory. That ideal doesn’t always succeed in practice, especially in informal environments (i.e. League of Legends), but it’s still something I try really hard to stick to.

JS: My parents’ determination to achieve “the American Dream” has always remained in the back of my mind. The turmoil they have gone through for their children to have a better life than theirs is really inspiring to me, and I know that no matter what struggles I may have in my life, they’ll probably never be greater than those of my parents. When I remind myself of that, I’m motivated to press on.

JS: A lot of things have made me happy, but nothing comes close to Harriton Science Olympiad’s comeback at Nationals this year. Hearing our name called for 3rd place was so incredibly redeeming, and the feeling of that weight being lifted off my chest was the most liberating sensation ever.

HB: Personal Statement?

JS: Harriton, as a whole, is probably the best thing that has happened to me since the first time sashimi graced my taste buds. Even with all the stress and sleep deprivation that high school imparts onto me, the friends I have made here and the new things I learn every day make all the hardship worth it. So remember, Rams, always remember this cardinal rule of Olympiad: Stay classy. Always. Oh, and don’t forget rule number 2: School. School comes second to Olympiad. Always….also rule number 4: Safety. Safety is always fourth. Always.