“I love to journal and found my love for stickers through it. I particularly love funky stickers. My father bought me 3D puffy stickers of 2D animals, a sticker sheet I’ve cherished and used carefully.”
Meet Aly. (’28), a Pathways Scholar who joined the ISKL community at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Aly’s growth in the creative field is a testament to her dedication. It all began when she was ten, with her love for journaling and collecting stickers. She is also a proud member of the Student Athletics and Activities Council, also known as the Panther Council, and is involved in DECA, a business club.
Here is Aly’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Aly, and I am half-Chinese and half-Vietnamese. I’m the youngest in a family of four. I was born in Malaysia and have lived in KL my whole life.
What encouraged you to join ISKL as a Pathways scholar? What advice would you give someone thinking about applying for the scholarship?
I found that my ambitions and goals did not align with my educational opportunities. Therefore, ISKL and its multitude of opportunities reeled me in. I knew that my experience at ISKL would develop me into a person capable of pursuing my biggest dreams while not having any unnecessary setbacks. Plus, have you seen the campus?!
The only advice that I have to give is to go for it. There’s no such thing as a dream that’s too big. Figure out what you want and go for it. Oh, and don’t look back! 🙂
How has the transition to ISKL been for you?
It’s been great. Everyone is very welcoming, and I’ve made a ton of friends in my first week of school! I also love the food at the cafeteria, so upon eating my first meal at ISKL, I knew I had another reason to look forward to school every day.
We understand you have been a creative since you were ten and are also a sticker collector. Please tell us more.
I love to journal and found my love for stickers through it. I particularly love funky stickers. My father bought me 3D puffy stickers of 2D animals, a sticker sheet I’ve cherished and used carefully.
Do you participate in any co-curricular activities at ISKL?
Yes! I am a member of the Student Athletics and Activities Council, a.k.a. the Panther Council. I am also involved in DECA, a business club at ISKL.
With this in mind, what are your thoughts on your career pathway?
I am interested in entrepreneurship. There are a plethora of fields and ideas in which I hope to pursue my passion, but as of right now, I am still deciding exactly what I want to do.
Who or what inspires and influences you?
My friend Ziqi inspires me. She navigates the world without caring what others think about her and with a focus on herself. Failure does not deter her; I have never seen her give up. Her perseverance and determination are values that I always try my best to harness.
What is your most memorable moment at ISKL so far?
When I was in PE, my friends and I had to choreograph a dance. We brainstormed different moves and tried them all. It was hilarious when we realized we looked ridiculous, and the moves we wholeheartedly believed were the ones that turned out not even to match the beat at all. It felt like a scene from the TV series Oggy and the Cockroaches!
What does “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” “mean to you?
To me, it’s a sequence. It means understanding what makes you, taking comfort with your own individuality to understand and care for others, and ultimately creating a better world.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.