Today, Role Models Around Us

Tao Jiali

As one of the first generation of outstanding female fighter pilots in New China, she flew over Tiananmen Square during the grand military parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, accepting the inspection of the Party and the people.

The Greatness of Our Alma Mater Leads Us to Grow Strong

Tao Jiali, student of Class 5, Grade 2005 (now one of China's first generation of female fighter pilots)

Dear Alma Mater,

This October is unforgettable for every Chinese person, and as a female pilot, it is even more memorable for me, because I just presented a birthday gift to our motherland in my own unique way. Having the opportunity to fly a domestically developed trainer aircraft over Tiananmen, I am still very excited. At the same time, this year is also the 2,150th birthday of our alma mater, Shishi High School, which makes me extremely happy.

It is the greatness and broadness of our alma mater that led me to establish a correct outlook on life and world. The growth process of a pilot is full of challenges and cruelty, just like the efforts of senior high school students for the college entrance examination. Whenever I encounter setbacks and difficulties, I always think of the teachings of my teachers, which allows me to continuously analyze, summarize, correct, and strive to improve. I also often think of my beloved alma mater's women's basketball team and my teammates who fought side by side. My initial fascination with basketball always gave me a steady stream of spiritual motivation, and it was basketball that gave me a healthy body, allowing me to easily adapt to flight training. Only then did I realize that what I have earnestly experienced will surely come in handy one day, and a good body can provide a strong guarantee for study, life, and work.

I regret that I cannot participate in the celebration activities of my alma mater. You know how much I want to fly back to my alma mater in a fighter jet, fly back to my beloved teachers, fly back to the ginkgo garden that we once lingered in, fly back to the beloved newsstand beside the school gate, to relive that most proud student era.

The long history and cultural heritage of our alma mater have profound foundations, and the strong teaching team continues to send batches of outstanding talents to famous universities across the country. On the birthday of my alma mater, when I hear the frequent good news of the college entrance examination from my alma mater, I feel extremely proud and honored. I can proudly tell others—I am a Shishi person! At this time, I want to sincerely wish you—Shishi, my alma mater, may you cultivate more outstanding talents for the country! I will also remember the teachings of Shishi, remain modest and prudent in my future work, work harder, and add glory to my alma mater!

Wang Keyi

2008 Sichuan Province College Entrance Examination Science Champion, currently studying at Peking University Guanghua School of Management

Wang Keyi (former student of Class 4, Grade 2008, Shishi High School)

Shishi—a name that is so heavy and kind! It echoes in the vast time and space of 2,150 years, both vigorous and simple, and gentle and mellow. Standing at the foot of the long history, holding my breath and looking up at the antiquity and dignity of Shishi, it is no longer just the mission of teaching and educating people; it is a spirit, a heritage, and a unique temperament.

Four years ago, my memory of first arriving at Shishi is still as clear as yesterday. When I stepped through that elegant gate, a long-accumulated mellow fragrance came to my face. Such a deep and rich historical atmosphere, such a profound cultural heritage, yes! This is Shishi!

Deeply conquered: When I listened to the principal telling the past of the school, when I stood in front of the stone carvings of the old alumnus Guo Moruo, when I lingered in the ancient exhibition room of the school, when I looked up at the towering century-old ginkgo tree, I found myself tracing back on the road of growth in Shishi. I seemed to see the powerful four characters "Wen Weng Shishi" inscribed on the plaque; I saw Peng Duanshu sitting in the center of the school, explaining classics; I saw Li Bing leading people to build water conservancy, transforming the barren land of Bashu into the land of abundance; I saw Wen Weng holding up the torch of wisdom, bringing the first light of civilization to the backward Sichuan region; I saw Shishi destroyed again and again, but rebuilt again and again, reborn from the ruins and becoming more prosperous; I saw Shishi going through two thousand years of wind and rain, but still calm and composed. I seemed to hear the sound of reading from two thousand years ago, still lingering; I could even touch the roughness of historical vicissitudes...

This is Shishi, our Shishi! A three-dimensional Shishi that can be seen, heard, and felt, a Shishi that is still full of vitality after 2,150 years. Shishi has a sense of heaviness, a touch of melancholy, a cavity of blood, a heart of persistence, a body of vitality, and a sprinkle of sunlight. The Shishi campus is not too big, but the Shishi spirit is profound and broad. As children of Shishi, we will write all kinds of lives and see all kinds of different scenery, but one thing is always common, and that is our proud name—Shishi people.

Wang Dixi

2008 Sichuan Province College Entrance Examination Liberal Arts Champion, currently studying at Tsinghua University School of Economics

Wang Haitong

2001 graduate, admitted to Peking University Guanghua School of Management with the first place in science in Sichuan Province

Chen Jiayou

2016 graduate of Shishi Tianfu High School, admitted to the Computer Science major of Tsinghua University