[Young Leaders at PennSchool] Learning to seize opportunities to grow

At her “second home” – PennSchool, every learning and experiential journey marked a meaningful milestone in Minh Thao’s personal growth. For her, it was a story of transformation from a shy girl into a confident, proactive young leader who dares to take on challenges.

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”

– Lewis Carroll

Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s words, Bui Thi Minh Thao – a PennSchool alumna – always reminds herself to courageously embrace every opportunity to step out of her comfort zone, try new things, and grow through each experience. For her, every opportunity she had at PennSchool, whether small or significant, became a solid stepping stone that helped her learn to lead, empathize, and confidently shine on her own journey.

“During my time at PennSchool, I had many memorable experiences with teachers and friends, not only through lessons in class but also through extracurricular activities and meaningful community projects we carried out together. These experiences helped me grow day by day.

When taking on the role of team leader for the environmental project “Cuckoo Clean-ups”, I had the chance to develop leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills through activities like the Home Recycling Competition and real-world cleanup events. This project not only raised my environmental awareness but also inspired a greener lifestyle among the student community.

As the PR Officer of the Student Council during the academic year 2023 – 2024, I learned how to bridge communication between students and the School, expand my network, and gain valuable hands-on experience by working with external partners. One of the most memorable experiences for me was having the opportunity to take part in planning Prom Nocturne ’24. Through that process, I learned financial planning, time management, and event organization in a professional way.

From a timid student, I’ve grown more confident speaking in public, improved my teamwork skills, and learned to adapt to various situations. Most importantly, I realize that the encouragement, guidance, and trust from my teachers at PennSchool have helped me become the confident person I am today.”

Thanks to the support of her teachers and friends, Minh Thao has consistently found the motivation to explore herself through various experiences, ranging from community projects to student leadership activities. These opportunities have helped her develop essential skills, expand her perspective, and build the confidence to embrace new challenges.