Graduates Profile
Academy. Amina Burslem, her Biology teacher,
describes Jasmin as an “excellent” Biology student.
Jasmin’s novel The Flamboyant is a moving piece
of literature set against the backdrop of Fujian
during the 20th century. Her novel not only weaves
“For the Biology Internal Assessment, she designed together personal family histories into a work of
an experiment about the bacteriostatic effect of fiction interspersed with deep reflective moments
traditional Chinese medicine and tested plants such of life through vividly imagined characters, it also
as honeysuckle, coptis chinensis and eight different reflects the pride she has for her hometown.
kinds of traditional Chinese medicine herbs on the
inhibitory effect of E. coli. If she chooses, she will be
an excellent scientist some day!” Mrs. Burslem said.
Jasmin’s interests in the arts are not only limited to
writing. She spearheaded the marketing campaigns
for Keystone’s first student-led theater production,
During her junior year at the Academy, Jasmin par- Junzi, joined the performance, and coached her
ticipated in the International Genetic Engineering other peers during the production process.
Machine Competition (iGEM) organized by the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Working Jasmin’s various interests and pursuits, from the
alongside students from other schools in Beijing, sciences to the arts, are ultimately reflections of
Jasmin acted as captain of the team and led her her myriad identities. From helping to establish
members on a project that incorporated biosyn- Keystone’s first cross-country athletic club, to
thetic methods to study mosquitos in order to coaching students in Keystone’s BRIDGE club,
create a mosquito repellant that would be harmless Jasmin’s roles as student, artist, scientist, actor,
to humans. and stage manager encompass her philosophy of
It is not only the subject of Biology in which she has and running with that.
taking advantage of everything that life has to offer
thrived, however. Jasmin honed her writing skills
at the Academy and found the perfect platform
to share her talents. In Grade 10, she proved her
Leading in Service
literary prowess when she published a novel for
her International Baccalaureate Personal Project. Jasmin’s genuine desire to serve and help others is
She was also inspired by her other extracurricular most evident in her service-oriented roles at the
pursuits such as working as a writer for the stu- Academy. As a first-time residential student, she
dent-led publication The Voice, being a member empathized with students who were also living
of Keystone’s Poetry Club, hosting the Education away from home for the first time. She also served
Salon Series, and actively participating in the as a Dorm Proctor on her floor.
Residential Life Weekend Exploration Series.
“I am retired now,” Jasmin joked, “but I initially
“I’ve read many books throughout my life,” Jasmin decided to become a proctor because I wanted to
began, “But I never dared to write a novel of my help other students acclimate to Keystone. When
own. However, it was always a passion of mine and I first arrived, the transition was a bit difficult for
Keystone gave me the opportunity to share this me. Being a dorm proctor allowed me to connect
with my peers. My novel is a simple story about with my peers outside of the classroom and it was
my hometown in Fujian, a small town that is well a great way to involve students in the Keystone
known for tourism but not for its history. It was community.”
difficult for me to find resources about my town but
once I did, it was a story that I had to write.”
Jasmin has taken advantage of the international
The Keystone Magazine 27