Dylan, a Grade 11 student enrolled in the IB Diploma program, is taking a unique path that blends the arts and academics with an interest in law. His higher level subjects—Theater, Psychology, and English Language and Literature—reflect his passion for storytelling. Dylan envisions a future in law, particularly in the Netherlands, where he hopes to apply the skills he's learned through his diverse academic and extracurricular activities.

 

Dylan's journey has been enriched by his involvement in various activities at ASH. As an active member of the debate club, theater productions, and captain of the swim team, Dylan demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance multiple commitments. He also participates in track, contributes to painting the American Baseball Foundation (ABF) tunnel for his Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS) project, and engages in service work with Land van Ons. Additionally, Dylan was involved in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) program in Belgium.

 

A common thread tying Dylan’s interests together is his passion for embodying different characters. Through theater, he explores varied narratives, gains new perspectives, and channels emotions via body, voice, and expression. Dylan speaks fondly of the community at ASH, particularly highlighting the impact of his teachers. "It’s a very diverse community with a lot of creative people. I absolutely love the Theater department, especially Mr. Cunningham. He’s the one that got me into theater. I just auditioned for Clue on a whim without ever having acted before, and because he really wanted me for the part, it inspired me to actually do it.”

 

Supportive teachers play a crucial role in Dylan’s development. His swim coach, Coach Ms. Andersonová, has pushed him to improve his performance and challenge himself. Dylan values the constant communication between teachers and students at ASH, which fosters a sense of involvement and ownership in his activities: “They [teachers and coaches] make you feel and become fully involved in your activities, so that whatever you’re doing feels like your own. They make you want to be a part of this, and want to collaborate with others to create something special.”

 

Looking ahead to a career in law, Dylan sees a clear connection between his performing arts skills and aspirations for law. The ability to project his voice, deliver persuasive speeches, and think creatively are assets he plans to apply in the courtroom. "A lot of that kind of thinking, including problem-solving, is omnipresent in both performing arts and law practice," Dylan says.

 

Within his many extracurricular commitments, Dylan emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong academic performance. Balancing activities and academics is a skill he continues to refine, aiming to make the most of his time at ASH. By blending passion with academics, Dylan shows how dedication to both can unlock one’s full potential.