Sharing the LAS Experience

Connecting LAS with the Next Generation of Students & Families

Expanding our Global Family and giving the next generation of students the opportunity to experience LAS life on the Magic Mountain is of utmost importance to our community. One way the Global Family can further engage with LAS is by introducing us to prospective families who might benefit from the LAS experience. We spoke to members of our admissions team, who shared their experiences working with current families as well as alumni to bring new people into the LAS Global Family.

Tamara Yahfoufi Director of Admissions in the Middle East & Turkey

Current families are such great supporters of LAS when they tell their networks about their experience with the school. So often they open up their homes to their circle of friends for receptions, like one that was held recently in Saudi Arabia, where an LAS admissions director can answer questions and talk about the benefits of attending a boarding school to prospective families. Our current LAS families are a huge support to our team by sharing their knowledge as parents of boarders and describing how valuable the LAS experience has been for their own children.

Paul Dyer P’06, ’16 Director of Admissions in the Americas & Corporations

Emma Pinto P’15,’18 from Mexico City has seen two of her children thrive in the LAS environment and has subsequently drawn on that experience to actively support other parents in the community. Emma remembers being anxious and a bit sad when she dropped off her first son in Leysin. However, as the years passed, she became an expert about all things LAS and saw how her two boys benefitted from their time on the Magic Mountain.

When her sons went to university, Emma missed her visits to LAS and asked me if there was some way she could help new parents. Et voilà…Emma became a Parent Ambassador! She now attends new student orientation at the beginning of each year and supports new families as they cope with the excitement and nervousness of having a child away at boarding school. Emma also serves as an advisory board member on the LAS International Council and assists with LAS recruiting efforts. And when she is back in Mexico, she is a world-renowned chef! Gracias, Emma!

Ira Miles P’24 Director of Admissions in the Americas & Spain/Andorra

Working with Clayton Gentry ’93 this year has been a valuable addition to the recruitment process for LAS.

Clayton’s passion for and understanding of the LAS culture and mission resonates with prospective families. He brings a true sense of community to our admissions work as he can speak as a parent, a student, an alum, and an advisory board member, which gives prospective families a holistic sense of the life-changing opportunities that exist at Leysin American School in Switzerland.

Viwan Opanukij Director of Admissions in South Asia

Current families and alumni are incredibly helpful in building the LAS network and one of the highlights of being on the admissions team is the connection I get to make with our community. Our LAS Global Family supports our team by referring the school to their families, friends, and colleagues. For new and prospective families, it is reassuring to be able to meet current or past families and to learn about LAS from people who have experienced it firsthand. Long after students have graduated, they are still part of the LAS family. Our alumni are one of the greatest assets of the school; they are a great source of help by sharing their professional experiences and knowledge. Whenever I call on an LAS alumni or family, they always graciously offer their help by volunteering their time at fairs, providing expertise in their field of work, and giving feedback and suggestions to the school. Some of them even act as ambassadors for our school! Their generosity reflects our school’s mission statement, “developing innovative, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world.”