own perspectives and behaviors. Looking back not been there before, and who had never experi-
at the camping trip, the group and team spirit enced the amazing variety of human life, as well
are priceless memories to be cherished. They as the animals, birds, insects, trees, flowers, skies,
can withstand any hardship and only get stron- and stars that we became a small part of for two
ger through our friendship and the embodiment weeks. For them it was a first time. For me, it was a
of compassion, integrity and kindness in the different first time, seeing these wonders through
heart of every Keystone student. Our commi t- the eyes of teenagers who were appropriately
ment to friendship and team spirit will also be the astonished. They gave me the gift of refreshment
guiding force when we interact with others, the and reinvigoration,” recalled Mr. McKenzie.
international community, Mother Nature and the
universe,” she continued.
Our seniors also planned and agreed on the vari-
ous community service initiatives they wished to
Wesley Wu ’18 added that, “I appreciated the
engage in as part of their service learning respon-
experience and learning opportunity of that trip. sibilities, be it volunteering at charities and
The most important point to me was the change orphanages or in underserved communities. “I
of mindset I experienced. Regardless of what was am a founding member of the Service Council and
ahead of me, I had to overcome this obstacle. This have served as its chairman,” explained Johnson
unique experience was a major deal to me and I Li ‘18. “I was responsible for leading the group
felt that the camping trip had brought all us closer to provide services throughout the area and
together.” it is a pleasure to see it has become a legacy at
the school.”
“Learning to do” is crucial to the educational
experience at Keystone and happens in China Service learning has offered our seniors a chance
and around the world as part of Keystone’s to give back to the community and has instilled in
Experiential Learning Program.
them a sense of purpose, responsibility and per-
sonal commitment to life-long service. These
Beyond China, a number of our seniors trav- transformative experiences seek to develop sound
eled to Botswana last summer where they enjoyed habits of the heart by making a difference in the
opportunities for environmental and conservancy
missions, cultural and intercultural learning, ser-
lives of others in China and around the world.
“Service Learning,” said Wesley Wu ‘18, “has
vice work, and leadership training in a country helped me become less concerned about myself
and a landscape so vastly different from China and and more about the surrounding society. It has
most parts of the world.
helped me become more well-rounded and more
caring for others, and to be willing to pay it for-
“It was extra special going with students who had
ward for others.”
The Keystone Magazine 14