Wilson

What I love about NMH is its diversity. It's that diversity that exposes me to so many facets of the world. That's when conversations happen. That's when growth and learning happens.

Wilson

Wilson’s path to Northfield Mount Hermon began the summer he was 15, when he traveled from his home in Hong Kong to attend the Center for Talented Youth program hosted by John Hopkins University. “I got a taste of American education,” with its mix of classes, athletics, and other activities throughout the day, he said. He also made new friends from boarding schools across the U.S. and, inspired by what they told him about their educational experiences, decided to apply to NMH.

His earliest days at NMH were also his most challenging, Wilson recalled, as he adjusted to living so far from home, in a culture so different from the one he grew up in. “But I will say the most challenging part was also the most rewarding part,” he said. “What I love about NMH is its diversity. I have friends who are Muslim, I have friends who speak Spanish. I'm learning Korean right now, because I have so many Korean friends. And I think it's that diversity that exposes me to so many facets of the world.

“That's when conversations happen. That's when growth and learning happens. And I'm really grateful for that.”

Wilson, who graduated from NMH this spring, did plenty of growing and learning during his time at the school. In addition to his academic work, which earned him induction into the Cum Laude Society, he was a member of the debate club and Model UN, swam and played Ultimate frisbee, and served in Student Congress.  

He also spent two years in Ecoleaders, a student organization that focuses on climate justice and sustainability initiatives. In that role, Wilson traveled to the Massachusetts State House to lobby for environmental bills, led workshops during Climate Action Week, and helped organize the annual Green Cup competition, which challenges students to make eco-friendly changes to their daily routines. He also helped put together a Youth Climate Summit that brought students from around the region to NMH for a day of discussion and organizing. 

Wilson was the host of this year’s climate summit, leading large group discussions before scores of attendees. But, he confesses, public speaking doesn’t come naturally to him. “I'm very nervous when it comes to public speaking,” he said. “I remember the first time I stood on stage at NMH. I was shaking!” He credits his time in Model UN — which calls on participants to think on their feet and speak persuasively, sometimes before hundreds of other students — with helping him get past that nervousness. “I learned the skills to be a good public speaker, which comes with taking risks, which comes with being brave and putting yourself out there,” said Wilson, whose work was recognized with an Outstanding Delegate award at the 2024 Harvard Model United Nations conference.

While Wilson kept a busy schedule at NMH, he found the variety of activities to be energizing. “Going to swimming is like taking a break from studying. Going to Model UN is taking a break from swimming,” he said. “So I don't really see them as conflict with each other; rather they’re another part of my life that enriches my time at NMH.” 

In the classroom, Wilson especially appreciated NMH’s discussion-based approach, in which teachers encourage students to work through questions, challenge their assumptions, and reach conclusions independently. He also appreciated the school’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, especially in classes such as Global Ethics and Climate Change, a history and religious studies course. He plans to carry that interdisciplinary focus with him in college, at Harvard.

“I’m interested in history, economics, government, environmental studies – all kinds of stuff," he said. “I watch a documentary about the universe and I want to become an astronomer. I watch a movie about the founding story of McDonald's and I want to be an entrepreneur. I like to learn so many different things.”