“A dedicated leader and top student, Alice has excelled academically while making a profound impact on the SSIS community. As a three-year Student Council member and former Public Relations Officer, she played a key role in major events like IFB, IFD, and Senior Prom. Her commitment to inclusivity and leadership earned her the Future Global Leader Award and the CAS & Service-Learning Award. Beyond school, she contributes to Curie Club, maths competitions, OK2Talk, Sabres Crew Creative, and various volunteer initiatives. Alice’s ability to uplift others sets a high standard for future student leaders.”
Let’s hear from YEEUN MA, Alice regarding her journey in leadership, service, and academic excellence at SSIS.
Q:What leadership and community activities have you led or organised at SSIS?
A:I have been actively involved in various leadership and community-building activities at SSIS, including Student Council, OK2Talk, IGCSE tutoring, Curie Club, and organising maths competitions. Through these roles, I have led events, mentored students, and created opportunities for engagement. Many of these initiatives involved collaboration across different grade levels, allowing me to build strong connections with younger students while fostering a sense of community.
Q:What opportunities for growth did you experience while taking on leadership roles in these activities?
A: One of the challenges I faced while taking on leadership roles was coordinating with students from different grade levels. At times, their fresh perspectives and creative ideas were exciting but not always realistic. Initially, I felt overwhelmed, but I learned to adapt my communication style and ensure inclusivity when organising events. Understanding their perspectives was key, and when ideas were impractical, I focused on explaining limitations in a way that didn’t discourage them. Another major challenge was balancing long-term commitments, such as Student Council, with academics. As responsibilities overlapped, time management became crucial. I overcame this by prioritising tasks to stay organised, and ensuring I allocated time efficiently to both leadership and academic responsibilities.
Q:What does receiving the SSIS Community & Leadership Scholarship mean to you, and how do you think it will impact your future?
A:It is an incredible honour and a meaningful recognition of my efforts in leadership and community-building. It encourages me to continue supporting and connecting with others, both at SSIS and beyond. It motivates me to continue engaging in community service and leadership initiatives, not only during my time at SSIS but also beyond graduation. I aim to further explore and gain experience in community involvement, using the skills I develop to contribute to larger communities in the future.
Q: How do you balance your leadership responsibilities with your academic work and personal life? Do you have any time management tips?
A:Balancing leadership, academics, and personal life requires intentional planning and self-awareness. I set clear boundaries by designating specific times for leadership tasks, academic work, and downtime, ensuring one doesn’t encroach on the other. Tools like digital calendars and student planners help me track deadlines, while prioritised to-do lists (using apps like TickTick) keep me focused on urgent vs. long-term goals. Academically, I maximise efficiency by listening carefully in class to reduce later cramming and treating homework as a knowledge check.
Q:What advice would you give to younger students who want to get involved in leadership or community-building activities at SSIS?
A:My advice to younger students is to start small—taking the first step is more important than making a big leap. Joining as a member or participant rather than immediately taking on a leadership role allows you to gain experience, adapt more easily, and build confidence. If you’re interested in an activity, don’t hesitate to ask a teacher or someone involved. However, it’s crucial to balance leadership with academics; make sure you can manage your studies first, as overcommitting can lead to stress.
Q:Can you share your scholarship initiative and explain how it will contribute to enriching SSIS’s community and leadership culture?
A:My initiative is leading the Sabres Network with G11 leaders, where we create and share short videos about daily life as an SSIS student, including vlogs, interviews, and event highlights. We upload these on Instagram, WeChat, and Douyin to engage not only SSIS students but also teachers, parents, and even those outside the SSIS community. This initiative enriches SSIS’s leadership culture by fostering student-led creative marketing and communication, giving students a platform to develop leadership, teamwork, and media skills. Additionally, it strengthens school spirit and community engagement by making SSIS’s academic and extracurricular activities more accessible and relatable in a modern, engaging way.
Congratulations once again to YEEUN MA, Alice on her well-deserved achievement! Her journey is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a passion for learning. We look forward to witnessing her continued success and the positive impact she will bring to the SSIS community.
