Journeys Graduation Special – Class of 2026 by Singapore American School

Graduation Commemorative Special

As the first cohort to navigate their entire high school journey in a post-pandemic world, the Singapore American School class of 2026 brought a refreshed sense of purpose, momentum, and connection to our campus. Free from past restrictions, they fully capitalized on every opportunity—distinguishing themselves in the classroom, on the stage, in athletic arenas, and through impactful service to others. Over the last four years, this remarkable class has championed our core values of compassion, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We wish our Eagles smooth transitions and happy landings as they move on to new adventures, and we know their resilience, warmth, and vibrant energy will carry them far. Congratulations to the class of 2026!

The growth we experienced over these four years didn’t come from a single moment, but rather from an accumulation of events. From the late nights studying for that AP Chemistry test to the seminar presentations that made your hands shake; from that Chinese test that you definitely didn’t prepare for well enough to learning how to recover when we didn’t meet our own expectations. Things that would have felt like the end of the world for ninth grade versions of ourselves became things we could tackle and somehow overcome. Every time we adapted to a new environment, a new standard, a new version of ourselves, we were building up to be the people we are today, sitting in this room. Somewhere between then and now, we’ve become not only more capable, but more aware—not just of the world around us, but of the kind of people we are becoming within it.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

SIDNEY (NOI)

JOHNSON-LARRICK (CLASS OF 2026)

The Class Of 2026 At A Glance

304

graduates in the class of 2026

Representing

32 primary passports, including:

When did they join SAS?

Looking ahead...

senior walk

and Looking back...

Commencement

Winners Honored in Awards Ceremony

Our annual high school awards assembly took place on May 26, 2026. After summarizing each award’s history and focus, a faculty member explained how each winner embodies the award’s high ideals. Congratulations to all these students on their achievements in academics, arts, leadership, service, and sports!

Subject Area Awards

These seniors were recognized by subject-area departments for their impressive content knowledge and for their demonstrated excellence in our other learning aspirations of character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural competence.

Jay Jenkinson

Aiden Liu

Ryan Bae

quest

Jasmeh Singh

SCIENCE

Haiying (Dora) Hu

social studies

Jamshed (Jam)

Parpia

Technology, Electives, and Capstone

Kashvi Agrawal

World Languages

Isha Krishnan

VISUAL ARTS

Joon Young (Stella) Yuh

Performing Arts—theater

Joshua Hodges

Performing Arts—band

Brian Vo

Performing Arts—choir

Trinity Leggett

Performing Arts—DANCE

Reika Taira

Performing Arts—STRINGS

Dong Keon (DK)

Lam

Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is given to students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy may be given by a school, district, or state, and SAS implemented its Seal of Biliteracy program in 2018–19. The SAS-designed seal appears on students’ diplomas.

Chinese and English

Hinoka Adachi

Alvin Cao

Andrew Chan

Yueh

Shan Chan

Yen-Yu Chen

Xue-you Chen

Winston Choo

Victoria Chou

Christiana Fraise

Danning Fu

Lucas John Garcia

Nia Gupta

Vivaan Gupta

Fransiska Hadiwidjaja

Matthew Hopkins

French and English

Lucas Dulat

Jay Jenkinson

Wonhee Lee

Luke Nicholson

SPANISH and English

Kashvi Agrawal

Diya Agrawal

Diya Chopra

Charles Clark

Brynn Comes

Claire Coppell

Joshua Hodges

Haiying Hu

Vivian Jiang

Haiying Hu

Caroline Huang

Tzu-Chi (Lucas) Huang

Kate Yinglin Huo

Isha Krishnan

Christine Lee

Shukun Li

Raynard Liao

Elliot Loh

Grace Ma

Zichen Mu

Mirei Nakahara

Yura Oh

Kevin Ong

Ashley Park

Tom Liu

Zianya Lobana

Zoe McCurry

Sohrab Mehra

Haven Oravec

Vir Rao

Pinsong Sun

Yirui Wang

Bruce Zhang

Radhika Raturi

Pinsong Sun

Munira Takalkar

Daniel Tong

Isabel Therese Valte

Lichi Wang

Yiyi Wang

James Wu

Ethan Yang

Seungju Yim

Jisoo Yoon

Doy Yun

Bruce Zhang

Ella Zhang

EARCOS Global Citizenship Award

The EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools) Global Citizen Award recognizes a junior who displays cultural competence by interacting effectively with people from all walks of life while having a sense of collective responsibility for all who inhabit the globe.

Aditya Mittal

“Through his role in the Executive Service Council, he coached social equity service clubs to execute successful projects.”

Outstanding Volunteerism and Service Awards

aid and accessibility

Zahra Tran

Butler

environmental Kaegan Powell

educational for all Jayden Choi

social equity

Veer Sanghavi

New Service Club Rishabh Modi

IASAS Scholar Awards

The IASAS Scholar Award is celebrated at all six IASAS schools. Recipients must have participated in at least two of the six IASAS events held during the current school year, must have achieved Scholars List status, and must exhibit exemplary behavior.

First-Year Recipients

Anna Bruce-Quark

Sam Chang

Joli Ching

Kaitlyn Choi

Brooklynn Chow

Christiana Fraise

Marcus Han

Second-Year Recipients

Shelby Bretting

Alvin Cao

Cora Devens

Stella Holland

Third-Year Recipients

Ryan Bae

Isla Niederberger

Madeleine Thomson

Fourth-year Recipient

Tzu-Chi (Lucas) Huang

Matthew Hopkins

Hajin Hwang

Lucy Johnson

Myung-Jun Kang

Addison Mendez

Kian Naik

Sloane Niederberger

Mani May

Tirta Pepple

Karolina Raba

Zahra Tran Butler

Radhika Raturi

Siddarth Ray

Avi Saha

Justin Shu

Tegan Stewart

Conner Voss

Edan Wainwright

Athlete of the Year Awards

Each year, the athletic department selects two students who model the Eagle Way, demonstrate athletic excellence and leadership, and have competed in at least two varsity sports in the last two years.

Isla Niederberger

“She doesn't just play the sport; she exemplifies the character we expect from our leaders."

Matthew Hopkins

“A driven mindset, meticulous preparation, and the special ability to lift everyone around him."

Bob Gross Student of the Year Award

This award was established in 2007 in recognition of former superintendent Bob Gross. It recognizes an eleventh-grade student who best exemplifies our core values of compassion, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

mani May

“She brings a sense of joy and purpose—a thoughtful, creative head and a warm, caring heart—to every class, every activity, every day.”

Chip Kimball Creativity and Innovation Awards

This award, established in 2019 in recognition of former superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball, is given annually to two seniors who use creativity to solve problems, explore new ideas, and challenge existing thinking.

For the arts and humanities

Claire Coppell

“She sees opportunities to bring humanity into every task and takes risks bravely, fully aware of the cost.”

For science and mathematics

Austin Thompson

“He has enjoyed productive struggle, worked consistently, incorporated feedback, and been a constant force of positivity. ”

Taylor Saich Arts and Creativity Award

This award, established in memory of Taylor Saich of the SAS class of 1999, is given to a senior who enriches the lives of others through dedication to the arts or other creative pursuits.

Joshua Hodges

“His artistry is bold, but his generosity is what truly defines him.”

David Hevey Award

This award honors the late David Hevey and his lasting contributions as an SAS film teacher and educator member by celebrating a student who demonstrates creativity and communication through the photographic arts.

Kai Jie (KJ) Lau

“He epitomizes the collaborative, shared joy that feeds the best of the film-making process.”

Burdell-Wood Scholar-Athlete Awards

These awards recognize two seniors whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, who are models to others, and who demonstrate outstanding integrity, self-discipline, and courage. Frank Burdell and Kay Wood were SAS parent volunteers and respected members of Singapore’s American community.

Doy Yun

“She reminds us that leadership is not defined by titles and team culture, but is built by people who choose others over themselves.”

Tzu-Chi (Lucas) Huang

“He embraced being coached, committed himself to improvement, and grew into one of the most respected leaders in our community.”

Scott Seator Ambassador Award

This award, established in memory of Scott Seator of the class of 1987, goes to the senior who has demonstrated the kind of critical thinking needed to solve our world’s most difficult problems and who has been involved in other cultures and contributed to making the world a better place.

Sidney (Noi) Johnson-Larrick

“She reminds us that critical thinking is not simply about being intelligent, it is about using intelligence responsibly, ethically, and in service of others.”

Don Bergman Leadership Award

Established in 1999 in recognition of former superintendent Dr. Don Bergman, this award is given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in one or more facets of communication and collaboration.

Vivaan Gu

“He consistently focuses on building others up and creating environments where teams succeed together.”

Outstanding Graduates

Two Eagles receive the Outstanding Graduate Award each year. These awards are presented to students who have been at SAS for at least two years, excel academically, and exemplify the highest qualities of both our learning aspirations and our SAS core values.

Andrew Chan

“He wants the world to be a better place, and the work he does is meant to achieve that goal.”

Bryce Ford

“He does not build community in a grand or performative way—it happens daily with his generosity.”

Blair Sonnenberg Humanitarian Award

Established in memory of Blair Sonnenberg, an SAS student who passed away in 1996, this award is given to the senior who has embraced cultural competence by devoting time, energy, and talent to actively seek understanding and improve the quality of life of others.

Jamshed (Jam) Parpia

“He has a rare gift for sitting in difference and just relating to people from any walk of life."

Outstanding Catalyst Award

This award honors a senior who has demonstrated exceptional levels of leadership, thinking, and potential with their Catalyst project.

Gunnar Lindhjem

“He managed his learning independently, sought out new technical skills, and persisted with a difficult challenge over time.”

SAS Advocate Award

This award honors a senior who exemplifies our core values, who has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity and inclusion for all, and whose advocacy and actions have had a significant positive influence on our community.

Joli Ching

“She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her peers feel heard, supported, and valued.”

Cum Laude Recognition

The SAS Cum Laude system recognizes students who achieve excellence in their academic pursuits over the course of their high school careers. Adopted by SAS in 2018, these traditional Latin distinctions encourage rigorous scholarship while giving all students more incentive to work hard, embrace challenges, and explore their interests. Our three honors levels are determined by students’ cumulative high school grade point averages through the fall of senior year. We applaud the 156 graduates of the class of 2026 who graduated cum laude (with honors), magna cum laude (with high honors), or summa cum laude (with highest honors)!

to the 74 students who graduated cum laude!

to the 46 students who graduated magna cum laude! to the 36 students who graduated summa cum laude!

University

Matriculation

University is another step in the lifelong education process valued by the SAS community. Our graduates are impressive young adults who have prepared themselves not only for college but also for life. While the list of colleges and universities attended by our graduates is noteworthy, we recognize that this is only one measure of our success as an academic institution.

The following is the list of colleges and universities that members of the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 have chosen to attend. We report university matriculation for the last three graduating classes in order to protect student confidentiality and provide the most accurate picture of where SAS students—including those taking gap years and completing National Service—choose to attend university.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Adrian College

Arizona State University

Babson College

Barnard College

Bates College

Bellevue College

Bentley University

Berklee College of Music

Biola University

Boise State University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Brandeis University

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University – Idaho

Brown University

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

The Catholic University of America

Chapman University

Claremont McKenna College

Colby College

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado College

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Drexel University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University –

Daytona Beach

Emerson College

Emory University

Florida Institute of Technology

Fordham University

Franklin & Marshall College

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Harvard University

Harvey Mudd College

Haverford College

Howard University

Indiana University Bloomington

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Lehigh University

Loyola Marymount University

Macalester College

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Moraine Valley Community College

Mount Holyoke College

The New School

New York University

Norfolk State University

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Occidental College

The Ohio State University

Old Dominion University

Oregon State University

Oxford College at Emory University

Pasadena City College

Pennsylvania State University, University

Park

Pepperdine University

Pitzer College

Pomona College

Pratt Institute

Princeton University

Purdue University

Purdue University Northwest

Quinnipiac University

Rhode Island School of Design

Rice University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Saint Francis University

San Diego State University

San José State University

Santa Clara University

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Scripps College

Smith College

Stanford University

SUNY Purchase College

Syracuse University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech University

Tufts University

Tulane University

United States Naval Academy

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Chicago

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Hartford

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

University of Maine

University of Maryland, College Park

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Class of 2026 graduates' immediate plans, for those who submitted college applications:

of 2026 graduates going on to National Service

University of Miami

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Dakota

University of Northwestern–St. Paul

University of Notre Dame

University of Oklahoma

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Puget Sound

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of Texas at Arlington

University of Texas at Austin

University of the Pacific

University of Virginia

University of Washington

University of West Florida

University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Vermont State University (Castleton University)

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State

University

Wake Forest University

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wayne State University

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

Western Washington University

Whitman College

Yale University

EUROPE

Accademia Italiana

The American University of Paris

Amsterdam University College

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe Bilbao

IE University, Madrid

IE University, Segovia

Leiden University

Maastricht University

Queen Mary University of London, Malta Campus

Radboud University

Sciences Po / University of British Columbia

Dual Degree

Tampere University

Trinity College Dublin

University College Dublin

University of Amsterdam

University of Groningen

ASIA

Ateneo de Manila University

De La Salle University

Duke Kunshan University

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Keio University, Shonan Fujisawa Campus

Nanyang Technological University

National University of Singapore

Singapore Management University

Sophia University

SUNY Korea

Temple University, Japan Campus

University of Hong Kong

Vellore Institute of Technology

Waseda University

UNITED KINGDOM

Imperial College London

King's College London

London School of Economics and Political Science

Loughborough University

Northeastern University London

University College London

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

University of Edinburgh

University of Oxford

University of Southampton

University of St Andrews

University of the Arts London

CANADA

Carleton University

Dalhousie University

McGill University

University of British Columbia, Okanagan

University of British Columbia, Vancouver

University of Toronto

University of Victoria

University of Waterloo

Western University

York University

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Griffith University

James Cook University

Massey University

Monash University

University of Melbourne

University of New South Wales

University of Newcastle

University of Sydney

Victoria University of Wellington

Spotlight College

Other notable class of 2026 results

83% of seniors applied to at least one school in the US

21% of seniors applied to at least one country outside the US

Besides the US, our graduates will attend university in 13 other countries, including France, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Spain

Over 25 applications were submitted to Singapore universities

Students applied to 40 US states and the District of Columbia

Students submitted 34 applications to women’s colleges, our most ever

Matriculated to

universities

average number of applications submitted per senior 13.5

number of countries to which the class of 2026 sent college applications

US states 40 Applied to

Life After SAS

Our class of 2026 Eagles are soaring off to new adventures across the world! The skills, knowledge, character, and friendships developed at SAS will help them manage new challenges, rise above setbacks, and reach new heights. Looking back on their school days and forward to fresh opportunities, here’s what some of our newest graduates have to say about what comes next.

Winston Choo

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Environmental Problems

Next Adventure: Yale University

Eagle Since Ninth Grade

Next year, I will attend Yale University, where I plan to study environmental engineering. I chose Yale for its flexible approach toward exploring subjects across disciplines, which is essential for tackling the inherently interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems. What I look forward to most is meeting people from all over the world, engaging with diverse perspectives, and diving deep into meaningful research.

SAS taught me the value of exploring a wide range of interests so that you can eventually discover what truly matters to you. Whether it was competing with the VEX and FRC robotics teams or playing on the golf team, I always felt encouraged to explore rather than limit my options too soon. That freedom to roam intellectually was one of the most valuable things SAS provided me.

What I’ll miss the most are my people, both friends and teachers. They’ve taught me so much and these are the relationships I intend to keep nurturing long after graduating. More broadly, SAS gave me the rare opportunity to pursue robotics, golf, and academic challenges all at once, while also constantly exposing myself to a diverse range of people and perspectives.

My advice to younger students is to stay open to new experiences, but also commit deeply to the subjects and activities that genuinely excite you. Through that process, you’ll find your people–and perhaps even your greater purpose. For rising seniors starting college applications: research your schools thoroughly. Find out what exactly they’re looking for, reach out to alumni or faculty, and don’t underestimate the power of social media as a research tool. Most importantly, start early. June or July is the right time to begin brainstorming, before the stress of senior year begins.

Lucas John Garcia

Health Sciences and Blue Eagles in the Philippines

Next Adventure:

Ateneo de Manila University

Eagle Since First Grade

I have chosen to attend Ateneo de Manila University next year. Going to the Philippines for university was always the plan after SAS. It felt odd at first, as everyone around me was applying to schools in North America and Europe, but I had my own plan for my future. I chose Ateneo because of the foundations they set for each student to prepare them for the real world. On top of your degree, Ateneo’s core curriculum takes a holistic approach, capturing theology, philosophy, and humanities to ensure that students become critical and reflective thinkers who can improve the world. And as a side note, Ateneo’s mascot is the Blue Eagle–a nice continuation from SAS!

I plan to pursue a bachelor’s of science in the Health Sciences program, which will also serve as a pre-med path to help me follow my dream of becoming a doctor. I really wanted to learn something that can make a huge and genuine impact on others, so I was drawn towards healthcare. Besides looking forward to my studies, I am very excited to return home after 12 years at SAS. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, improving my Tagalog, and being closer to the rest of my family. The Philippines is my home, and it will be nice to be closer to my many Lolos, Lolas, Titos, and Titas!

I got interested in biology after taking General Biology in grade 9. The classes I took after that furthered my interest in healthcare, mainly AP Biology, AT Psychology, and AP Chemistry. This interest didn’t stop in the classroom; I participated in various clubs, such as Medical Union, where I got CPR certified. As a Filipino, I also felt obliged to join a service club to help those back home, which is why I became a part of the Stairway Foundation. Living abroad for 12 years, I inevitably felt disconnected from my roots, so I used every opportunity I had to reconnect, not just to prepare myself for university back home, but also to establish my identity. On top of joining the Stairway Foundation, I took on projects in various classes, from AT Entrepreneurship to AT Psychology, that centered around what it means to be a Filipino.

I would advise younger students that at SAS, there is always something more to learn, so keep working at it—but also enjoy the process, because time flies quickly. Over time, the workload builds up, the number of hours of sleep decreases, the stress piles up, and burn out is inevitable. I learned that I have to enjoy the whole process–the process of learning, but also the whole process of school. I feel that my 12 years at SAS flew by quickly. Enjoy your time with the people you meet throughout the years, because among all the stress of learning and academics, they’re the ones you’ll connect with the most. Work on time management, a crucial skill, and, rising seniors, get your work done as soon as possible. Remember that you’re on your own path, so stick to it, and don’t compare yourself to those around you, because they’re on a different path.

Senior year Interim is my favorite memory from SAS. Twenty students with two teachers flew to Morocco and explored four cities in a week. From the blue walls of Chefchaouen to the Medina of Fez, each day was an unforgettable experience. What will I miss most about SAS? My friends— whether I met them in elementary, middle, or high school, they made the SAS experience an enjoyable journey for me. SAS isn’t bound by the walls of a classroom. It’s a culmination of people, cultures, beliefs, thoughts, and ideas. There’s something for everyone, and you can always find a community of people who share the same passion. Salamat, SAS.

Isha Krishnan

Public Health and Music in the Research Triangle

Next Adventure:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Eagle Since Fourth Grade

I will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall, and I plan to study public health and music while working toward my goal of becoming a doctor. I am particularly drawn to improving healthcare accessibility for individuals with limited English proficiency, a passion that shaped both my high school experience and my college search. I chose UNC Chapel Hill for its location in the Research Triangle and the opportunity to engage with people from diverse socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds. I am excited to explore these interests through research and community work while also soaking in campus life, attending games, joining new communities, and spending time on the area's beautiful trails.

My path toward medicine and accessibility started in SAS classrooms. Dr. Price's AP Biology and AP Chemistry classes sparked my love for science, while Mrs. Summerton's AT Psychology course opened my eyes to the intersection of health and accessibility. Dr. Harper encouraged me to explore collaborative fusion works in music, and Ms. Chen offered support in developing my language skills. All of these experiences shaped how I think about connecting with diverse communities.

Beyond academics, I poured myself into service through Youth Aiding China Singapore, Chinese Honor Society, Frontline SG, and Science National Honor Society. These experiences taught me that giving back to the community that shaped you is what is most important, and it is something I plan to carry forward at Chapel Hill and beyond.

My favorite SAS memories are not the big moments. They are the everyday ones: November concerts and Winter Collages, where we collaborated with so many talented artists. International Fair, where our club could share our message with the wider community. Friday Night Lights, where we struggled to get the slushie machines working only to watch them sell out in minutes once we finally did. What I will miss most is this sense of community, the way SAS brings together people from so many backgrounds and encourages us to learn from one another, whether in the classroom, on stage, or behind a slushie machine.

I would advise students coming after us to live in the moment and advocate for yourself. Find your people. Learn from everyone around you, and never hesitate to ask questions. It makes all the difference. To rising seniors, I would say that the college application process is really just a reflection of who you are. Treat it as an opportunity to understand yourself, your values, and the kind of community you want to be part of for the next four years.

Aahan Talwar

Business Studies in a Challenging Environment

Next Adventure:

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Eagle Since Seventh Grade

This fall, I will attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. UPenn was my top choice because, since middle school, I’ve known that I wanted to pursue business and finance. I’ve familiarized myself with trading, accounting, macroeconomics, entrepreneurship, and corporate finance, and I felt that Wharton would be the ideal environment to challenge myself while rigorously exploring all the different areas of business.

While my major is fixed, Wharton students can specialize in focused areas of study, and my current plan is to concentrate in finance and perhaps add a second concentration as well. I’m excited to take interesting courses in the humanities, such as philosophy, and to explore AI and its growing role in business. More than anything, I am looking forward to being in an environment where people are passionate about what they do and constantly challenge one another to learn, innovate, and grow together!

One specific, important lesson I learned in Entrepreneurship Club is that leadership requires being hands-on in order for real progress to be made. I learned this lesson during the Junior Achievement “Company of the Year” Competition. In the cycle where I was elected as the team's CEO, our product was upcycled directly from e-waste. For meeting after meeting, we discussed how we would source the e-waste and spoke about many great ideas in theory, but as the competition deadline approached, we remained empty-handed. Finally our sponsor, Ms. Poluan, simply walked us all down to the Makerspace at SAS and asked if they had spare e-waste parts. We came back with buckets of source material, and I realized that meaningful change only happens when you go after something yourself. SAS taught me that the people who make the greatest impact are not necessarily the ones with the best ideas, but the people willing to take ownership, take action, and turn ideas into reality.

Despite all the challenging classes, clubs, and chaos of a busy high school experience, the moments that brought me joy weren’t really significant things. Rather, they were the in-between moments that would populate the day and make things feel just a little brighter. Spending lunchtime talking and joking with friends or catching up with someone during the five-minute passing times—these small in-between moments helped me find community.

I would advise younger students to be as open as you can—to different clubs, to new friends, to difficult classes, and to new experiences. Everything is an opportunity for you to grow, and high school is the time for you to try new things, do well, or mess up and fail, since the whole point is that you learn and grow from your experiences. Even for rising seniors beginning the college application process, colleges don’t care if you’ve had failures or setbacks—they care about what you made of the experiences. Be as personal and genuine as you can, and early on in the process, reflect on what your story is.

Mary Villaruz

Global Affairs and Service to Others

Next Adventure:

The University of Notre Dame

Eagle Since Ninth Grade

I was looking for a school that had service as a core aspect of their curriculum, and the University of Notre Dame’s mission of having every one of its students be a “force for good” made it stand out among the other schools I was considering. Moving to Singapore for high school from Indiana has inspired me to study global affairs. Mr. Coppell’s AT Geography class sparked an interest in learning about human development and helping marginalized communities. This interest was furthered by my Quest partnership with the World Bank, when I researched Ni-Vanuatu youth.

SAS helped me grow by teaching me how to advocate for myself. Whether it was visiting math help every day during my junior year or sharing drafts with my English teachers for feedback, I learned to believe that I could be successful as long as I put in the work. My advisor, Mr. Mejia, inspired me most at SAS. In the crazy world that is high school, he constantly reminded us to be happy and not get caught up in the small stuff. Once, I got a C on a math test and was feeling really disappointed in myself. He reminded me that a C was just room to grow and wouldn’t matter in the long run. He constantly challenged us to prioritize "eulogy traits" over "résumé traits," a lesson that will stay with me.

I was deeply involved in Hoops for Change and the Dance Club throughout high school. Noticing that routine basketball sessions could get tiresome, I collaborated with Hoops for Change members and the National Dance Honor Society to create a safe space where specially-abled athletes could express themselves through dance. Teaching these athletes and middle school dancers in different settings taught me the true importance of inclusion and sparked a lifelong passion for teaching. I will miss the dance community the most. Getting to choreograph a 20-minute piece with my friends allowed me to grow as an artist, and I was very proud of the effort and the final product. The constant support of Ms. V and Ms. Cherry meant the world to us. I will deeply miss the experience of producing dance shows and being part of such a wonderful program.

Interim Semester, a unique and special opportunity, is one of my favorite things about SAS. During my junior year, I traveled to Bhutan, where I had the privilege of working alongside local teenagers. It was a beautiful reminder that no matter the culture, teenagers are the same at heart. My senior year took me to Kenya on a trip where I don't think I have ever laughed so much. Not only did it push me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible, but I also made some wonderful new friends in my final semester. I will never forget watching them rappel down waterfalls and listening to the distant sounds of baboons in the night.

If younger students asked for my advice, I would tell them to try anything that sparks their interest. I tried out for JV soccer in ninth grade, and while soccer didn’t turn out to be my passion, I made some incredible friends. Later, I tried dance and was able to make the IASAS team in my junior and senior years. You can never truly fail when you try something new in high school, because at the very least, you learn something valuable about yourself. I would also tell students to ask for help when they are struggling. Teachers and adults here want to see you succeed!

MIND THE GAP:

TALKING FREEDOM AND FRESH STARTS WITH CAHDENA BUTLER (CLASS OF 2025)

One year. Endless possibilities. An alumna shares how a gap year has opened doors to travel, work, personal growth, and a clearer vision for the road ahead.

What are the pros and cons of a gap year?

You get a lot of freedom. I can travel, get a job with flexible hours, and meet up with friends when I want. On the other hand, it’s a big change. I was so used to meeting up with friends who lived in Singapore, but so many friends have moved away. If you want to do a gap year, you have to be ready to be a bit isolated, but it gets easier.

What made you decide to do it?

I knew that I wanted to go to college, but I wanted to set myself up for success. I've heard a lot of stories of students not being ready, and then going into college and dropping out or the school not being right for them. I wanted to make sure that I was ready, and I knew that I wasn't at the end of my senior year. So, in the end, I decided to do a gap year.

How’s it going?

So far, my gap year has been very good. I've been able to travel a lot. I'm able to meet up with friends in other countries, have a job, and learn how to "adult." I'm learning a lot about what my life may look like after college, which has been very good to experience early on, and has set me up better for college.

Any future plans to share?

My parents had an agreement with me: I would only be able to do one gap year, so I would be going to college as soon as my gap year is over. I'm planning to go to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and I will be majoring in environmental science. But other than that, it's more just seeing where the future takes me and being able to take what I've learned from my gap year in these experiences and apply it to my future and see what happens.

Join us throughout the year for a series of alumni events happening around the world. Whether you’re reconnecting with your classmates or meeting fellow Eagles in your city, these gatherings are a wonderful way to celebrate the long-lasting SAS connections! MARK YOUR

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Dates may be subject to change. Scan to keep an eye out for more information about our upcoming

www.sas.edu.sg/alumni/alumni-reunion-weekend-at-sas August 20–22

Mark your calendars for August 20–22, 2027 for another special Alumni Reunion Weekend! More information about the schedule, registration, and everything we’re planning will be added here.

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