Welcome
Learn more about our current members and join us on our quest for knowledge and excellence!
Vision
In today’s age, the humanities have come increasingly under scrutiny as an unproductive field of study. However, this is simply not the case. The humanities offer an opportunity to improve one’s literary and artistic prowess, and to satisfy the innate urge to create and to connect with people across the globe. The Laurel Journal of Humanities was founded to make the field of humanities more accessible for avid high schoolers. We invite writers, artists, and readers from all backgrounds to share their passions and exchange perspectives and insights. We also endeavor to publish outstanding research papers, creative writing, and visual artwork all in one place. Finally, we value each and every perspective because we believe that diversity fosters inspiration and excellence. The ability to mentor, develop, and promote every contributor is the ultimate reward for us.
Mission
Our journal began with a small group of passionate high schoolers who shared the same vision: to provide students with a space to create, share, and engage in the Humanities. We endeavor to publish features such as outstanding research paper, creative writing, and visual artworks all in one place. We invite submissions and readers from every genre and from diverse backgrounds. We founded the Laurel Journal of Humanities, an online non-profit journal where artists and writers easily connect with other talented people from across the globe, to mentor, develop, and promote its contributors by including a diverse staff because we believe that every perspective should be honored and has the potential to be the catalyst for inspiration and excellence. ​ Welcome to the Laurel Journal of Humanities!
Founders & Board Members
Meet the Board
Jonathan Bu
Jonathan Bu is an 11th grader at Phillips Academy Andover. Fostering his passion for poetry and philosophy, Jonathan has attended the Iowa Young Writers Studio and the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute. His work has also been recognized by Just Poetry & The National Poetry Quarterly, the National History Day Competition, and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Shuhan
Hi everyone! I'm Shuhan and I am an 11th grader attending school in Japan! I am super excited to work as Literature Editor for this issue of the Laurel Humanities Journal. I love playing soccer, running, watching movies and I love writing and I'm looking forward to working with you all!
Frank Yang
Frank Yang is a high school junior at Basis International School Guangzhou. He has experience in creative writing, journalism, and historical research. He holds passion for the humanities as it allows him to explore the different lives people have led in different worlds. His interests also include computer science and water polo.
Dora Mou
Skilled in various mediums such as colored pencils, acrylics, and digital design, Dora strives to bring both artistic harmony and individuality into Laurel Journal and endeavors to hone the art perspective of this journal to its most resonating note. Two times National Scholastic Art Award winner, and selected to represent Cambridge, Boston, and Dorchester in the 2024 Congressional Art Contest, Dora Mou is a rising artist and designer at Boston University Academy.
Sophie Chen
A rising sophomore from Dover-Sherborn High School, Sophie Chen is a budding scholar fueled by a passion for literature, philosophy and classical music. Both of her philosophy essays submitted to the John Locke competition were shortlisted. As an avid poet, Sophie is praised for her "natural sensibility which expresses a variety of colors". She is committed to achieving artistic excellence, connecting cultures and illuminating the real-world relevance of humanities.
Catherine Ma
Catherine Ma is from Basis International School Hangzhou. She loves discovering historical writings and learning new perspectives that enrich her experience. She is fascinated by the profound insights from history, and dedicated to exploring the humanities area using her passion. She believes that understanding the past is crucial for appreciating the present and shaping our future.
Sherry Zhang
Sherry Zhang is a junior at NNHS. She is the vice president of her class, captain of the debate team, and a flutist in the school band and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Academically, Sherry is interested in the humanities, particularly in social science and creative writing. In her free time, she likes to eat good food and draw.
Lily Li
Lily is a sophomore at German Swiss International School, Hong Kong. She is deeply interested in history, maths and politics, and she has been studying German and Latin for a while. Lily has been actively participating in various competitions ranging from the John Locke Essay Competition to the UK Chemistry Olympiad and more. During her free time, Lily enjoys swimming, reading and watching movies.
Aaron Xiong
Tin Ho Xiong is a sophomore at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. He considered himself as a passionate humanist, as he relishes history, philosophy, and theology, as well as reading and writing. He participated in and received recognition from Scholastic, HCGEC, New York Times, and John Locke. He loves to sleep in his free time.
Founders
Sherry Chen
Chief Executive Officer
Education:
Columbia University + Paris Institute of Political Studies
Alumni of The Baldwin School
Hometown: Shanghai + Bryn Mawr, PA
Personality: Genuine, Passionate, Curious
Statement:
I love the humanities because it helps me find connections between various societies and time periods. As one of the co-founders of Laurel Journal of Humanities, I am excited to see the intellectual fruition of scholars and artists all over the world.
Derek Days
Editor in Chief
Hometown: Newton, MA
Personality: Driven, Friendly, Capable
Statement:
The humanities brings together the beliefs, ideas, and logic of people across the world and across times. As one of the co-founders of the Laurel Journal of Humanities, I would love to share this infinite field of human expression with a diverse group of diligent scholars.
Thomas Guo
Chief Marketing Officer
Education: Culver Academies 23’
Hometown: Guangzhou + Culver, Indiana
Personality: Outgoing, Talkative, Enthusiastic
Statement:
I am a STEM-oriented student but I am passionate about literature and history as well because the humanities inspire me to think in different perspectives. As one of the co-founders of Laurel Journal of Humanities, I can’t wait to see the outstanding works of diverse global scholars.
