Recent Boston Latin School alumna Yiting Jin graduated in June 2003 from her alma mater of six years, and will enter Princeton University in September, where she plans to further her study of mathematics and to explore fieldssuch as economics, psychology, and biology. This 62-inch 17-year-old Ward Fellow hails from Roslindale, the fifth of five residences (soon to be six!) One decision that Yiting will never regret making is attending Boston Latin School, where she came upon the values which mean most in life, the meaning of courage, and most importantly, the impact of helping others and changing lives. From her experiences traveling around the state and country and competing with the Junior Classical League, Math Team, Model United Nations, and American Computer Science League, she came to know teamwork and true success from firsthand experience, one which piqued her interest in becoming a part of the Ward Fellowship of 2003. Some philosophy for her everyday living is to be passionate about one’s beliefs and what one does throughout life, work or leisure. Playing piano from the age of four quickly became one of Yiting’s hobbies, and she has won a number of awards since the age of six. Her early interest in music has led to her participation in the Gospel and Concert Choirs at Boston Latin. Yiting is also a tennis and figure skating fanatic, and jumps at the chance to travel, encounter novel situations, and take walks at night in city light or starlight. She speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, and English fluently – Latin if she tries hard enough, and French if she remembers. A four-time gold medalist on the National Latin Exam and a three-time perfect scorer, Yiting has been a member of the National Honor Society since February of her junior year. A highlight of each summer since ninth grade is the National Junior Classical League convention, held on a different university campus each July around the nation, where delegates compete in certamen (Latin Jeopardy!) covering topics from Roman history to grammar, from mythology to literature and culture. In addition, the Junior Classical League offers many creative arts (declamation, speech, costume), graphic arts (mosaics, sculptures, pencil sketches, etc.), and athletic contests, making the six-day experience an exhilarating and unforgettable one for students of all interests and talents. Prior to her public service with the Ward Fellowship, Yiting volunteered at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, the Roslindale Branch Library, the Boston Latin School main office and registrar, and tutored students at the BLS Saturday Success School. A most rewarding aspect of each of these events is learning about the people she works with. Yiting strongly believes that no matter which direction one is headed in life, one must always sense the needs of other people, and work toward fulfilling them. As a Ward Fellow, Yiting began working at the Boston Housing Authority at the beginning of June and has since conducted three phone interviews investigating cases in South Boston, written housing decisions for applicants of public housing and Section 8, taken trips to the actual housing development sites and talked with witnesses of civil rights cases, and observed hearings for appeals for housing status. She believes that this work opens a window to proactively making a difference. Whereas labs and sample investigations in high school classes simulate cases of conflicting interest, working at the Boston Housing Authority is “the real thing” – the well-being of countless individuals and families are at stake, awaiting the decisions the BHA puts forth. Finally, the following quote is one of true inspiration, motivating her to succeed: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the knowledge that there are things greater than fear.” It is with this courage that human beings must strive to proceed through life and serve one another. Yiting’s Ward Fellowship sponsor is Robert Trestan, director of Civil Rights at the Boston Housing Authority.