More than 30 SJS students from Grade 10–12 took part in summer programs this year. With help from our University Counselling team, students travelled as far as Paris, France, and all over North America to take part in programs linked to their areas of interest.
Here, Grade 12s Madison Kim and Susan Xiong, tell us all about their experiences this summer, and read on to discover what some of our other students also got up to.
Madison Kim, LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program at UC Berkeley
This summer I had the honour of attending the four week LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program at UC Berkeley where I participated in insightful lectures, networked with various industry experts and collaborated with a team to create a start-up.
As one of 80 remarkable high school students from around the world, I was immersed in an environment that fostered innovation, creativity and productivity—essential qualities for any entrepreneur. The dynamic atmosphere of LaunchX instilled in me a profound sense of purpose and drive, sparking a passion for solving real-world problems. I made lasting friendships with like-minded individuals from all over the world, many of whom I am still in contact with. Engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds, I was exposed to numerous global perspectives, whether through discussing different education systems or debating ethical business practices.
The Bay Area Demo Day 2024 marked the culmination of my team’s hard work and dedication to our start-up. My group and I were able to present Backr by PackPosture—a universal, innovative and affordable backpack attachment designed to alleviate back pain and promote proper posture. By the end of the program, we had generated over $1,000 in pre-sales and successfully pitched our start-up to four respected panelists, including Forest Richter, the President of LaunchX, and Larry Liu, Founder and CEO at Weee! Inc.
Reflecting upon this experience, I realize how fundamental LaunchX was in shaping both my personal and entrepreneurial journey. I am forever grateful to my exceptional teammates, the dedicated faculty, the intelligent mentors and everyone else I met who made this program come to life.
Susan Xiong, Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania
This summer, I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania. During my three-week program at the Product Design Academy, I was taught how to use 3D computer design software, received lectures from industry professionals and collaborated with a team to create a product.
My team and I worked to improve the accessibility of basic tools for kids and elders with mobility issues. We interviewed students around the Penn campus and worked together over the course of the three weeks. Through trial and error with laser cutters, 3D printers and acrylic bending machines we created a fully functional product meant to safely aid those who have trouble with cutting their nails. We also presented our idea to the entire Wharton community, participating in a design fair where students from all programs were invited. Our product was highly successful, with an 85% profit margin and $42,423,397 in estimated profit based on surveys the guests filled out.
I would like to thank my teammates Michael, Nora and Peter as well as my teachers as this would not have been possible without them. The Wharton Product Design Academy was a life-changing experience and I will be forever grateful for the people and the knowledge I gained there.
What Other Programs Did SJS Students Get Involved With This Summer?
Yoyo Bu, Grade 10, undertook the “How Financial Markets Work: Introduction to Behavioural Finance” course at the Brown University Pre-College Program.
From Grade 11, Iona Jiang undertook the SHAD Canada program at Carleton University, Veronica Cheung travelled to the University of Toronto for their Medicine Youth Summer Program and Eva Huang attended the John F. Wood Summer Leadership Symposium at Western University.
Grade 12 Vincent Jecht undertook an internship at Colloquium in Paris, France, Linlin Li took part in the University of Pennsylvania Experimental Physics Research Academy and Talisa Wong also took part in the Medicine Youth Summer Program in Toronto as well as the OCAD University summer workshops.
