Graduate Profile
Phoebe Sun
Service Learning
Epitome
The Power of Service Learning
Phoebe’s passion for getting involved in the
community has been evident from the very
When Grade 12 student Phoebe Sun and her par-
beginning. It is not uncommon for conversa-
ents were searching for innovative, new schools in tions with this service oriented leader to revolve
Beijing three years ago, they commissioned the help around themes such as global inequality for
of close friends and family who’d lived in Beijing women, community service activities for dis-
and were familiar with the local area. Although advantaged youth in Beijing, or even ways for
Phoebe was not born in Beijing, she’d spent most students to get involved with service learning
of her young adult life near Beijing, in Shaanxi. activities here at Keystone.
Hesitant to send their daughter to an international
school in Shanghai, the family was introduced
“There are so many opportunities at Keystone for
to Keystone through a close friend who had also students to get involved. For me, I felt I should
enrolled her son in the new school. take advantage of these opportunities, and step
up to be a leader. When I was a student in public
“We were very hesitant because Keystone was
school in China, I did not have much time to invest
such a new school, and we really questioned in service or leadership positions and I really saw
whether it was worth it to take such a big risk. But this as a chance to learn more about myself and
after learning about the school and visiting, we invest in new and different activities. The stu-
really agreed that the Chinese Thread Curriculum, dent council and dorm council, for example, were
and combining the eastern and western styles of the two best ways that I saw myself being involved
education, the experience of teachers, and the here at Keystone,” remarked Phoebe. “I really
opportunities for service were very attractive to feel I have made a difference in these positions at
me and would expand my world view in prepara- Keystone. I have grown a lot and have learned to
tion for college,” said Phoebe.
cooperate with others, made my ideas come to life,
and have learned so much from my peers on this
Since joining Keystone as a Grade 10 student,
leadership journey.”
The Keystone Magazine 25