Graduate Profile
leaving Tianjin to attend school on this beautiful understand some parts of her research and so I
campus.” ended up asking Cynthia for help. She is now con-
fident talking about mathematics in front of others.
She often asks for my permission to use the board
Understanding the World Through Math and address a problem with the entire class. I have
Teachers often advise students to choose the such a high skill level as Cynthia’s.”
rarely seen a student’s confidence in math match
academic subject area that they are most talented
in, and for good measure. It is a safe decision that As a force to be reckoned with in the classroom,
ensures one does not fail; at Keystone, however, Cynthia has not let her academic prowess inflate
students are advised to choose subjects that they her ego. She has remained calm, soft-spoken, and
are most curious about, and it is in those areas that diligent in serving those around her. “Keystone has
they will truly excel. helped me to become a more empathetic person,”
Cynthia’s passion lies in Mathematics, which she something I will continue to do even after I gradu-
has cultivated throughout her years at Keystone. ate from Keystone.”
Cynthia said. “I enjoy helping people and this is
Oftentimes students twist their faces in anguish
when trying to solve complex math riddles and
“When I met Cynthia three years ago, she was very
equations, typically seen as mandatory. The road of shy, she barely spoke or participated in class dis-
mathematics may be long, boring, and difficult for cussions,” Mrs. Barnes said. “The Cynthia of today
some, but for Cynthia, its beauty lies in its infinite is completely different. She is outspoken and con-
possibilities.
fident, expresses her ideas well, and knows what
she is capable of. When students ask for help, she
In addition to assisting her peers in mathematics, is helpful and patient. She always takes her time to
Cynthia’s ability to understand abstract concepts make sure that people understand her answers or
and delve deeper into her passion for the subject is explanations.”
infectious and evident to everyone around her. As an
academic student leader, Cynthia leads and serves
her peers through mentoring in this subject area,
The Journey Continues: Brown University
often taking the lead in her math classes to explain
and break down a difficult problem or theory.
For most high school seniors around the world, the
college application season is daunting, long, and
“She can easily understand abstract concepts riddled with anxiety. On top of academic study
and she is passionate about math,” high school and final year exams, students must make major
math said life decisions as they enter the next phase of their
of Cynthia. “She is given to understand why journeys. But Cynthia says Keystone has made her
math theorems and concepts work rather than more independent. “Previously I lived at home
teacher
Marjorie
Garcia-Barnes
spend time memorizing steps to solve similar with my parents before coming to Keystone, and
problems. Her Math internal assessment was living in this boarding community shaped a lot of
especially impressive. She worked on her research my study skills and coping mechanisms for living
about the relationship between the Fibonacci and alone which is needed for college.”
the Lucas numbers, and how these numbers can
be represented using diagrams instead of formu- Keystone’s Office of College Counseling offered
las. To be honest, it was even difficult for me to Cynthia major support as she researched schools.
The Keystone Magazine 16