Where there’s smoke, there’s FIRE! 

The Class of 2026 took some impressive strides towards higher-level research and critical thinking in last month’s FIRE Winterim Project on the theme of Identity. 

In a series of discussion forums spread throughout Thursday, January 19, ninth graders shared insights and presented their original responses to the prompt: “As a ___________________, I have lived a life of …?” 

Projects varied from a focus on athletics and nontraditional academic interests to deeper investigations into core aspects of identity, such as family background, race, gender, and citizenship status. Students were required to conduct research into both primary and secondary sources relevant to their topics; in addition to crafting a written nonfiction narrative, students also worked to create supplemental materials that reflected key elements of their identity. 

Here’s a sampling of some memorable project responses: 

• As a dancer, I have lived a life of discipline.
• As a previous expat, I have experienced a life of liminality.
• As a Christian, I have lived a life of hope.
• As a childhood cancer survivor, I have lived a life of uncertainty.
• As a daughter of a business woman, I have lived a life of commitment.
• As a young East Asian female, I have lived a life of viewing both Victoria's Secret models and Douyin influencers as beautiful.
• As a fraternal twin, I have lived a life of comparison and companionship.
• As a mixed kid, I have lived a life of uncertainty and hesitation. 
• As an introvert, I have lived a life of balance.
• As a drummer, I have lived a life of passion.
• As a female athlete, I have lived a life of being portrayed by my gender and not my skill.
• As a daughter of a single parent, I have lived a life of determination. 
• As an equestrian, I have lived a life of guidance of having a connection and building trust with horses. 
• As a biracial girl, I have lived a life of high standards and never fitting in.
• As a genderfluid person, I have lived a life of arbitrary binaries.
• As a snowboarder, I have lived a life of exhilaration, risk, self critiquing, and freedom.
• As a Muslim, I have lived a life of stereotyping, hardships, and perseverance.
• As a person with many insecurities, I have lived a life of constant self deprecating jokes to shield myself from being downright miserable.
• As a feminist, I have lived the life of social norms being altered.
• As a musician of eastern and western music, I have lived a life of diverse cultural exposure. 
• As a descendant of poor farmers, I have lived a life of relative ease. 
• As a 3D designer with aphantasia, I have lived a life of overcoming obstacles.
• As a teenager, I have lived a life of complexity.

The enlightening diversity and delightful charm of these responses come directly from the wonderful young people who composed them. Several students shared truly emotional stories as part of this assignment, and this group’s ability to support each other along the way made this year’s FIRE Identity project truly fulfilling.