Justin Zhang

  

Volume 9 | Issue IV | December 2025

Scarsdale High School ’26

New York, United States

  

My interest in the American Dream began at the dinner table. As a second-generation child of immigrant parents who fled communist China, I came to know their stories through nightly chats over delicious home-cooked meals. Through countless conversations, I grew curious about the idea that seemed to fuel their relentless pursuit of a better life: the American Dream. As I explored it further, I became especially drawn to the post-WWII era, often regarded as the golden age of this ideal. That curiosity evolved into a research project centered on suburbia as a symbolic representation of the homeownership aspect of the American Dream. In my essay, I sought to challenge the popular, glamorized portrayal of the dream and question its actual attainability. This research experience was pivotal—it deepened my understanding of what it means to be American and gave me essential context for my parents’ journey. Beyond historical inquiry, I’m deeply involved in journalism, leading both my school’s newspaper and its STEM publication to better grasp the current realities of the communities around me. To understand the present, we must first learn from the past—history and journalism are inseparable in that way. Wherever life takes me, I hope to continue fostering this dialogue between past and present. When I’m not immersed in academic pursuits, you’ll find me in the gym, on the hunt for great food, or exploring new corners of the world.