Ratanak Sophea (Academic Year 2024-2025) – Research Physic Calculus.
Favorite Quote: “Live fast. Die young. Be wild. Have fun.” ― Lana Del Rey
An interesting fact about Ratanak is that after coming to AUPP, he discovered a hidden superpower: juggling. Not circus-style juggling, but the art of balancing sports, academics, and social life. He has somehow mastered being a student, an athlete, and still showing up to social events as if he didn’t just sprint across campus. It’s like living three lives in one—minus the cape (though he thinks he’s earned one). His favorite subject is Calculus because math has always been fun for him. What he enjoys most is knowing that there’s always an answer hidden within every problem—you just have to figure out how to get there. To him, it feels like a puzzle where every step brings him closer to the solution. The most challenging project for him has been the Research Capstone. Constant presentations, tight deadlines, writing the methodology, and conducting literature reviews were enough to make anyone sigh. But despite the difficulty, he has learned a great deal about time management and pushing through when things get overwhelming.
During his time at AUPPHS-FA, Ratanak trained in Taekwondo every day after school, earning his black belt—something he is truly proud of. In Grade 12, he also founded a national math competition that brought together students from different schools across Cambodia, an initiative that combined his passion for math with leadership and community engagement. His favorite memory, however, was a school trip where, for once, class distinctions and backgrounds didn’t matter. Everyone simply came together, connected, laughed, and enjoyed the moment. For him, it was a beautiful reminder of how diverse, talented, and brilliant the AUPPHS-FA community truly is.
After graduation, his plan is to pursue higher education while also exploring the world. He hopes to earn his degree, experience new cultures, meet people from different walks of life, and learn beyond the classroom—growing both academically and personally.
His advice to juniors at AUPPHS-FA: “Senior year can be really challenging, so it’s important to learn how to balance your responsibilities early on. Whether it’s academics, extracurriculars, or personal life, developing that balance teaches you discipline and that discipline will carry you far, not just in school, but in life.”