Hoang Ngoc Bao Tran
A resilient dreamer, a curious thinker, and a storyteller of music and myths — this is me, unmasked beyond the pixels.
Empathetic
Feeling deeply for others and bringing happiness even in small moments.
Resilient
Rising stronger from every challenge, turning obstacles into stepping stones.
Curious
Questioning, exploring, and seeking answers beneath the surface.
Multifaceted
A blend of thinker, musician, storyteller, and dreamer — never just one thing.
“I have a lot to say. You might expect a typical get-to-know-me, but I think you’ll never get to know the real me behind the screen. In my friends’ eyes, I am a different person. In my parents’ eyes, I am a different person. In my teachers’ eyes, I am a different person. To get to know somewhat of the super real me behind all of these pixels, there are things that can tell a lot about me.”
Hoang Ngoc Bao Tran
Jar of Love
“Jar of Love is an emotional storytelling website designed to connect people through heartfelt, personalized messages. The platform allows users to send and receive notes corresponding to five core human emotions – joy, sadness, anger, anxiety, and shame. Each emotion is symbolized by a unique “star of hope,” representing empathy, comfort, and shared experience. When users select an emotion, they receive a message crafted to resonate with their feelings, offering encouragement or reflection in a deeply personal way. Ultimately, Jar of Love aims to remind people that no matter what they’re feeling, there’s always a glimmer of warmth and understanding waiting to be shared.”
My Story
Finding My Voice in Music
Music has been at the heart of my life for almost a decade, not only as a performer of many instruments but also as a curious listener who seeks meaning in every note.
When Myths Found Me
Greek mythology has been a lifelong passion, shaping my imagination, inspiring my writing, and connecting me to stories of gods and heroes since childhood.
Through the Lens of Art and History
Every museum visit becomes a canvas for my camera, where art, history, and perspective merge into stories I want to preserve.
Finding My Voice: From Debate to MUN
What began as a push into debate became a discovery of diplomacy, where winning was never the goal, but contributing to solutions for a better world.
The Courage to Stand with Compassion
Equality and empathy are not just beliefs, but values I live through acts of understanding and kindness.
A Dream Aligned: My Path to Phillips Academy Andover
My dream of going to Andover began when I found out about the school’s motto — Non Sibi. My whole life was revolving around Non Sibi before I even realized it was a concept. As a child, I’ve always observed before acting, and looked for the most effective ways to make a community happy. I try my best to stay thoughtful of others, and when I catch myself being self-focused, I pause and remind myself to act with care. I also try to participate and volunteer in group work, since I want to show how active and invested I am. Overall, I don’t think my life would be as great as now if it weren’t for Non Sibi. I definitely wouldn’t have as many friends and joyous moments.
