The room was intense and heated as fiery arguments bounced back and forth between feisty debaters from Harvard A and Sydney B. The topic was whether government agencies that regulate drugs should only test a drug’s safety and effectiveness, before approving it for public use. On the side sat a panel of adjudicators, or judges, one of them being Temple City High School alumnus, Justin Lin.
Currently a second year university student, Lin is a member of the Stanford Debate Society, also known as the Stanford A team. On Dec. 26, he traveled all the way to Chennai, India for ten days with the team to debate in the World Universities Debating Championship with nearly 800 people from 60 different countries. In preparation for the trip, Lin had to take an adjudication test, read the briefing for how to judge a tournament and attend debate practices on parliamentary debate at Stanford.
“The trip was very eye-opening, and I certainly enjoyed my experience there. There are so many new people to meet, and my two roommates and I got to know each other quite well,” Lin said. “I also got to know my team better as a result of the tournament.”
Four years of dedication and support from teachers and peers at Temple City High School have shaped Lin’s aspirations with a strong basis for academics and activities outside of school. Whether it was the Junior Statesmen of America Club, Rubik’s Cube Club or the discussions in humanities, science and mathematics classes, the acquired skills built a foundation for excellence in college.
“My friends in my classes during high school have always inspired me to become a better person while keeping me motivated to continue studying and working,” Lin said. “All my teachers in high school have had an enormous influence during my time in high school.”
The exposure to government and debate from Junior Statesmen of America Club through conferences and competitions gave Lin an appreciation and enthusiasm for joining the debate team in college. He saw it as a chance to become informed about and active in politics and prep for a future career in law. Lin aspires to become a lawyer and is thankful for being able to grow in such a diverse and strong community at Stanford University in which there are always new opportunities and activities, like his trip to India.
“I would like to go back. India is an extremely diverse place with so much to experience,” Lin said. “I look forward to going to other parts of India that I wasn’t able to explore before, such as Delhi, Pondicherry and Mumbai.”
Before flying to India, Lin scrambled to apply for a visa and pick up the necessary anti-malarial and anti-typhoidal medication.
“At first, we had concerns about the health and safety issues as he traveled to India,” Justin’s mother Mrs. Lin said. “After consulting with his physician and health plan, Justin had to take four different types of vaccines prior and during his trip to help him stay healthy.”
The journey from TCHS to Stanford has matured Lin not only as a student but also as a person. Even now his teachers and peers still play a significant role in his growth.
“All of my teachers have had a deep and profound influence on me,” Lin said. “I have to thank each and every one of them for guiding me toward the right path and giving me a solid foundation for my studies in college.”
TCHS School Newspaper