Leading the way: Awakening the college dream for female high school students

Another year, another exam season. At 5 AM, Zhang Guimei, a teacher at Huaping High School for Girls in Lijiang, Yunnan, wakes up as usual. After a quick wash, she slowly makes her way to the dormitory entrance. With a megaphone in hand, she wakes the students who are about to take their college entrance exams, reminding them, "Don't forget the spirit of our high school: be resilient and fight hard!"

As the morning sun bathes the campus, it also lights up Zhang Guimei's face, highlighting the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. These lines are marks left by time, evidence of her dedication to education. Wearing simple yet neat clothes, her Party member badge gleams on her chest, and her hair gently sways in the breeze.

On the afternoon of June 8, 2024, the exams concluded, and Zhang Guimei called the students to take the bus back to school. The energetic students ran towards her with enthusiasm. (Photo by Zhao Qingzu/Guangming Picture)

On June 7, 2024, outside the exam hall, Zhang Guimei organized the students as they exited (photo by Mu Jianguo/Bright Picture). On June 8, 2024, on the way to the exam, Zhang Guimei held the students' hands tightly. (Photo by Zhao Qingzu/Guangming Picture)

On June 7, 2024, Zhang Guimei smiled kindly behind the girls of Huaping High School. (Photo by Mu Jianguo/Guangming Picture)