Jessie X: First Prize in The International Friends' of Dulwich Essay Prize

At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, we take pride in celebrating students who demonstrate not only academic strength but also curiosity, maturity, and a genuine commitment to understanding the world around them. Today, we spotlight a Year 12 student, Jessie X, whose outstanding achievement in winning First Prize in The International Friends' of Dulwich Essay Prize reflects both her intellectual discipline and her capacity to think beyond traditional academic boundaries.

Jessie is currently studying A Level Mathematics, English, Physics, Liberal Arts and Economics. Her wide academic interests are reflected in the way she approaches complex issues, drawing connections between multiple fields, and seeking understanding that is both analytical and human centred.

The International Friends' of Dulwich Essay Prize

The International Friends’ of Dulwich Essay Prize is an academic competition founded by a Year 12 academic scholar at Dulwich College, concluded this year with more than thirty entries submitted across six Dulwich schools. The adjudicating judges, Dr Croally, Mr Mackintosh and Dr Wisson, remarked that many submissions exceeded the level expected for a top A-level grade. They commended students for tackling the questions with sophistication, clarity and genuine scholarliness, and offered their congratulations to all who participated.

The competition invites participants to engage with one of three complex questions:

• Should governments prioritise economic growth over environmental sustainability?
• Is democracy the best form of government for economic prosperity?
• How has economic inequality influenced political polarisation in the 21st century?

Jessie’s chosen question explored the relationship between economic inequality and political polarisation in the twenty first century. Her essay was awarded First Prize for its ambition and for the impressive way it marshalled ideas from a wide range of academic fields. The judges praised her analysis for presenting inequality and polarisation as cultural, psychological, economic, and political phenomena, encouraging readers to consider relative deprivation, tribalism, and the exploitation of uncertainty by populist politicians. They concluded that her work was an extremely interesting contribution to the debate and fully deserving of the First Prize in the Friends’ of Dulwich International Essay Competition.

Building an Argument Across Disciplines

Jessie spent approximately a week researching and drafting her essay. She began the process in an intuitive, exploratory way: “I watched videos about economics and political polarisation to get a deeper understanding,” she said. She later collected her thoughts through brainstorming in GoodNotes, writing down anything that might eventually form part of her argument.

Her biggest challenge lay not in the complexity of the topic, but in its breadth. “At first, I tried to start with either the economic angle or the political angle,” Jessie explained. “But I realised I could not give a comprehensive understanding from only one. So, I mixed them and then added psychology.”

This instinct to move beyond single-discipline boundaries became the defining strength of her essay. Rather than treating inequality and polarisation as isolated economic or political issues, Jessie recognised them as human issues at their core. She explained: “This world is basically made by humans. If we separate humans from economic and political issues, these issues will never make sense. When we start thinking about humans, everything has a new understanding.”

This insight signals a level of analytical maturity beyond typical secondary-level writing. Jessie does not simply apply academic theories; she reframes them around human behaviour and emotion, creating an integrated lens through which structural problems can be understood.

Her research method also reflects intellectual discipline. She described how she first framed her essay, then researched relevant articles on Google, eventually “building an argument based on the articles but in my own voice.”

Her ability to synthesise evidence while preserving her individuality as a writer demonstrates what the judges praised: the ambition and coherence of an essay that draws from economics, politics, psychology, and culture to illustrate a complex modern phenomenon.

Understanding Complexity Through the Human Story

Through this competition, Jessie gained a deeper understanding of the world’s conflicts and complexities. “It provided me with a more comprehensive understanding of how this world is formed and what conflicts already exist,” she said. “Everything looks complex, but if you think about it simply, it can be easy.”

Her interest in media and communication also informed her reflection. She described social media as a “plastic bubble”, one that reinforces existing beliefs by continuously presenting similar content. “It becomes hard to see different voices,” she explained. “Now, whatever news I see, I need to research different points and opposite positions.”

This awareness reveals a commitment to intellectual honesty and open-mindedness. Rather than accepting information at face value, Jessie emphasises the importance of encountering opposing ideas to avoid echo chambers. This approach connects naturally to her essay’s theme: polarisation is not only shaped by economic inequality, but also by the human tendency to seek validation rather than challenge.

Looking back, Jessie is proud of how she brought seemingly unrelated fields together. “Economics, politics and psychology look unrelated,” she said. “But I related them to one topic in one essay. I am proud of that.”

Her advice to peers is rooted in practical wisdom: academic competitions help students develop writing skills, critical thinking, and the ability to break large ideas into manageable steps.

Creative Strengths in the Classroom

Mr Arnold taught Jessie for two years in IGCSE ESL. He recalled that Jessie’s creative strengths were evident from the start. “Jessie was always quite a creative student, especially when writing longer texts,” he said. Her habit of reading widely and watching a variety of shows enriched her thinking and gave her a broader palette of ideas.

He also noted her discipline. “She kept her notes well and revised in the right way at the right times. She has always been academically minded.”

For Mr Arnold, Jessie’s achievement reflects one of the Dulwich values strongly: creativity. “She extends her learning beyond passing exams and getting good grades,” he said. “Writing something of this quality and length clearly exemplifies creativity.”

A Humanistic Lens in Liberal Arts

Jessie’s growth is also powerfully reflected in the perspective shared by her Liberal Arts teacher, Mr Mulson. As a Year 10 student, Jessie wrote the line: “Today I decided to take a bold step toward my aspirations.” This sentence captures the authenticity and conviction of her ideas, revealing the strength of her voice, her courage to think boldly, and the value she places on humanity as the foundation of social sciences.

These words were written as part of a historical narrative told from the viewpoint of a patrician wife during the Pax Romana, in which Jessie analysed the paradox of economic, political, and social inequality during a so-called “Golden Age.” Her approach to learning has consistently combined criticality with creativity, from her first research essay exploring love and friendship through Plato’s Symposium, to her recent Year 12 Liberal Arts paper examining how modern globalisation has accelerated both development and disparity within Bangkok’s local communities.

Mr Mulson describes her as “a most remarkable student and person, someone who continually challenges herself and enriches the learning community by speaking her mind, thinking critically, and examining social sciences through a deeply human lens. Jessie’s First Prize award stands as a testament to the passion, dedication, and talent she has demonstrated throughout her journey at DHSZ.”

Engagement, Collaboration, and Potential

Ms Villaescusa, who began teaching Jessie this year, described her as highly engaged and consistently collaborative. “She always participates and works happily with any partner,” she said. “Every lesson she demonstrates genuine curiosity and engagement.”

She observed that Jessie’s careful listening and thoughtful expressions translate naturally into her written work. “She pays a lot of attention to detail and thinks carefully about how to express her ideas.”

From her perspective, Jessie possesses both strong academic potential and an equally strong personal quality: kindness. “She is lovely to talk to and lovely to be around,” she said. “Considering all her skills, she will have many opportunities in life.”

A Journey of Growth and Perspective

Jessie’s achievement in the International Dulwich Essay Competition reflects more than academic excellence. It illustrates the growth of a young thinker who sees complexity through multiple lenses, approaches issues with empathy and clarity, and grounds her reasoning in an understanding of human nature.

Her teachers see in her a student who listens, collaborates, and grows with intention. Her writing demonstrates discipline, creativity, and a willingness to cross boundaries between subjects.

Jessie’s story embodies a key lesson for all learners: understanding the world requires both rigorous thinking and an openness to perspectives beyond one’s own.

Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life

Jessie’s experience reminds us that learning is not simply about absorbing knowledge; it is about cultivating perspective, curiosity, and resilience. Her journey shows how a Dulwich student learns to question, analyse, and connect ideas, skills that will guide her far beyond the classroom.

Her success is a celebration of both intellectual ambition and personal growth, demonstrating what it means to think deeply and live thoughtfully.