2023 DHS Sea Dragon AwardYou must already know Peter Zhang if you attended one of the Dalian American International School public events – concerts, musical performances, talent shows, or speech contests. Secondary students will also remember the lively house events, classroom celebrations and the Broadcasting Station announcements presented by Peter.
Peter Zhang, a versatile, warm-hearted and cheerful, positive and optimistic young man with brilliant management skills, will be on stage tonight to answer our questions!
Peter joined our school in Grade 9. Soon after the classes started, he suddenly lost his father, the person that played a key role in Peter’s development. Peter recalls his dad always asking him, “Did you use 100% of your ability to finish your task?” which taught him responsibility and ownership of success.
On the next day after hearing the tragic news, Peter was supposed to take part in the annual DAIS Speech Contest. Despite his sorrowful feelings, Peter decided not to cancel his participation and to go up on stage with a funny story. Suddenly, smiling faces and laughter in the audience during his speech made him feel better: “You bring joy to others – and heal your heart at the same time,” explained Peter. This unexpected loss also urged him to start cherishing every moment of life.
It was in his freshman year at DAIS/Huamei and even more so during his first (but not the last!) speech contest that Peter well and truly fell in love with performing on stage. Although he was already involved in choir, martial arts and even square dances with his grandma as an elementary school student, Performing Arts class became his second home for the four years of high school.
Peter starred in two large-scale school musicals – ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’ – as well as school talent shows and concerts. His versatile talent as an actor, violinist, singer, choreographer, dancer, MC and choir conductor has been shining on DAIS stage many times.
At this point in the story, you must think that Peter chose a major related to Performing Arts in college. Nowhere near! In this case, Peter decided to follow his second passion – mechanical engineering. "As a child, I loved to learn how things work, dismantle and fix toys, collect old clocks, design my own devices to help watering my succulents, and so on."
Peter was very successful in high school. Among other awards and recognitions, he became a member of the NHS (National Honor Society). He also was the President of the DHS Student Government and organized many social events on school campus and in Dalian.
Peter joining NHS, 2021
With his excellent organizational and communication skills, Peter became a key person in the Musical Theater class, mainly responsible for choreography. When we asked him what the most rewarding part of rehearsals and show production is, Peter said, "I’m proud of organizing people to perform on stage, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I see everyone’s strengths and talents shine together."
Oliver! The Musical
Peter is also the founder of the DAIS Broadcasting Station that has been delivering school news to secondary students weekly for the past two years. Thanks to generous support from the school administration and Ms. Julie Yue, Peter and his friends set up a project that will hopefully last for many years after the founders’ graduation.
Peter actively participates in community service activities outside of the DAIS campus too. During school breaks, he went to the local hospice every Thursday to read stories to elderly people. He also wrote letters to Sister Hope Mailbox - a non-profit organization that focuses on the mental wellbeing of children in poor rural communities - to give these kids emotional support.
In May 2023, together with a group of DAIS/Huamei secondary Performing Arts students, Peter went to the Aunty Wang's Retirement Home in Dalian Development Area to spend meaningful time with the elderly residents.
Peter is going to study Engineering at the University of Washington this fall. He thinks that rich DAIS/Huamei experience, highly qualified teachers (Mr. Bryant, Ms. Yue, Mr. K and Ms. Saez among others), and engaging, transformative dorm life prepared him very well for college.
The University of Washington (UW) is a research state university located in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1861, it is one of the earliest universities established on the west coast of the United States and the largest university in the northwestern United States. #6 in the US News World University Rankings 2023, UW is often referred to as a ‘Public Ivy’. Its academic achievements and social prestige have been widely recognized. A total of 21 University of Washington alumni and faculty have received the Nobel Prize, and several got the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.
At the end of the interview, we asked Peter, "What do you miss most about our school after graduation?" He thought for a long time and said, "It seems to be everything here at DAIS..."
We will miss you too, Peter, and we’re confident that your future will give you more opportunities to thrive!
