As most 12th graders were busy preparing yearbooks and farewell notes at the end of the school year, Châu Anh (12Detroit) was quietly staying up late, folding colorful paper and writing over 40 heartfelt letters of gratitude. These weren’t just for her teachers—but also for janitors, security guards, bus drivers, and other staff members at school. Remarkably, many of the recipients had only briefly taught her, hadn’t directly worked with her, or were people whose names she hadn’t even had the chance to learn. Yet to this humble student, each one of them had played a part in shaping the person she is today.
To many at Dewey, Châu Anh is known as the gentle, friendly girl with a warm smile—always polite, always bowing respectfully to teachers and staff. Few would guess that just three years ago, she was a shy, withdrawn girl struggling to adapt to a new environment. She confided that it was the genuine kindness and care of those at Dewey that helped her overcome that difficult period. “No matter where I came from or how different I was, my friends, teachers, and the staff always treated me with respect and understanding. Thanks to that, I felt safe to be myself and confident to grow,” she shared.
Inspired by the kindness she received, Châu Anh gradually learned to open her heart and spread positivity to those around her. She holds a special appreciation for the school’s operational staff—the janitor who always greeted her with a bright smile, the security guard who waved and said, “Hello, Châu Anh!” every morning, the bus driver who always saved her a seat for her oversized school projects. “I don’t write these thank-you letters expecting a response,” she explained. “I just hope they feel the gratitude—not just from me, but from many other students too.”
Her homeroom teacher, Ms. Bùi Thị Nga, proudly described her as a quiet student with rare inner strength and determination. “Châu Anh is multitalented—she’s gifted in art, passionate about the arts, and especially strong in English. She’s the only student in her cohort to score an 8.5 on the IELTS exam, yet she remains humble and always strives to do better.” Châu Anh often jokingly calls the library her “refuge” during lunch breaks. There, she nurtures her love for books, patiently gathering knowledge day by day. When asked what she’s most proud of, instead of citing achievements, she simply says she’s someone who always tries her best, and always seeks to listen and understand others.
Just like her nickname “Sâu” (meaning “Caterpillar”), given to her by family and friends, Châu Anh’s journey at Dewey mirrors the story of a small but resilient creature—quietly and bravely breaking free from the cocoon of self-doubt to become the most radiant version of herself.
To us, the greatest pride in our students’ growth doesn’t lie in grades or accomplishments, but in their ability to bow their heads to say thank you or sorry, and to appreciate what they have. Gratitude is the first moral foundation Dewey instills in every student—because a grateful child will always stay humble in success and resilient in failure. Alongside academic knowledge, we believe gratitude is a guiding light that will lead our students to live kindly, love deeply, and cherish even the smallest things in life.
