01
The Unlettered as Democracy's Necessary Corrective
2025Political Philosophy Essay3,500 words
John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize — Very High Commendation (Top 1%)
The Collected Works of
Lorri
Liao
廖其已
✦
Writer · Poet · Storyteller
Open the Codex
Chapter I
The Author
Chongqing, 2025
I am a writer and student from Chongqing, China, currently in my sophomore year at Chongqing Yucai Secondary School. My writing spans fiction, poetry, drama, and political philosophy — always searching for the stories that live in the margins, the voices that speak between languages.
In 2025, my essay "The Unlettered as Democracy's Necessary Corrective" received a Very High Commendation (Top 1% internationally) from the John Locke Institute. I have studied creative writing at The School of The New York Times and the Penn Summer Prep Program, where I explored playwriting, fiction, and the art of channeling lived experience into language.
"Every story is a bridge between what we know and what we are afraid to imagine."
As the founder of Fei Ye Literary Club, I organize weekly seminars and workshops where we dissect classic literature and nurture emerging voices. I believe writing is an act of crossing borders — between self and other, between the said and the unsayable.
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Chapter II
Manuscripts
A collection of essays, fiction, poetry, and criticism
02
The Last Train to Avalon
2025Fiction2,000 words
Written at The School of The New York Times
03
"Wolf, Central Park" — A Collage Play
2025Experimental Drama
Written at The School of The New York Times — "From Page to Stage" course
04
The Algebra of Leaving — A Sonnet
2025Poetry
Written at Penn Summer Prep Program
05
Human Threads
2025Poetry
Exploring globalization through verse
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Chapter III
The Library
Books that have shaped my thinking — and those I look forward to
Read
5The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
Beloved
Toni Morrison
Percy Jackson
Rick Riordan
To Read
5Mrs Dalloway
Virginia Woolf
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf
Song of Solomon
Toni Morrison
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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Chapter IV
The Atlas
12 countries, countless stories
Click a pin to see the story
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Chapter V
Credentials
Education, honors, and experience at a glance
Lorri Liao
Writer · Student · Chongqing, China
Education
Chongqing Yucai Secondary School
Grade 10 · International Track
Standardized Tests
TOEFL
110
R29 L27 S24 W30
AP Physics 1
5
2025
AP Microeconomics
5
2025
AP Statistics
4
2025
Honors & Awards
John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize — Very High Commendation (Top 1%)
International2025
International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC) — Outstanding Award
International2025
NEC National Economics Challenge — National Silver
National2025
NSDA National Speech & Debate — Octofinals
National2024
Chongqing Yucai Secondary School Academic Scholarship
School2024
Melbourne International Music Competition — 1st Prize (Harp)
National2023
Activities & Experience
Founder & President
CulturalFei Ye Literary Club (扉页文学社)
Founded school's first literary club. Organize weekly 18-person seminars and writing workshops, leading members to analyze classic literary works and guide creative writing. Built a vibrant community for literary communication.
Summer Student — Creative Writing
AcademicThe School of The New York Times
Completed intensive creative writing course. Under professional writers' guidance, explored narrative techniques and character development. Produced a 2,000-word fiction piece praised for originality and depth.
Playwright & Performer
Theater/DramaThe School of The New York Times — "From Page to Stage"
Participated in playwriting, performance & production course. Co-wrote and performed an original comedy about the Kennedy era after extensive collaboration and rehearsals. Gained practical theatrical production experience.
Summer Student — Writer's Launchpad
AcademicPenn Summer Prep Program
Studied "Writer's Launchpad" and "Channeling Your Creativity" at Penn Arts & Sciences. Honed core writing skills and explored diverse creative processes in an Ivy League academic environment.
Sustaining Donor & Volunteer
Community ServiceFur-Ever Stray Animal NGO
Monthly donor since 8th grade (185 yuan/month). Donations combined with others to purchase hundreds of kilograms of dog food and medicines, supporting a retired teacher caring for stray animals.
Multi-instrumentalist & Composer
MusicIndependent Study & Practice
Proficient in piano, violin, and harp since childhood. Uses improvisational music composition as a form of self-expression and creative outlet alongside academic pursuits.
Co-founder & Content Creator
MusicHippoMusic (Rednote Account)
Co-founded a social media account to popularize musical instrument knowledge. Responsible for researching instrument history and writing content. Accumulated 15 followers with 88+ likes.
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