“Through my passion for books, I helped start a small community library at my grandparents’ residence during the Covid lockdown to help neighborhood children have access to books. It’s one of my dreams to nurture this library and share the love of reading with other kids, especially those less privileged. ”

Meet Mira W. (’28), a Grade 9 student from the US with Indonesian heritage who joined the community in 8th Grade. Passionate about swimming and debate, she has also discovered a love for global politics through the Model United Nations (MUN).

Mira also enjoys her evolving hobbies, which include collecting vinyl records, reading psychological thrillers, and playing music and wants to share her love of reading with children from less privileged backgrounds.

Here is Mira’s story:

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’m American-born, but my parents are Indonesian. From Prep Senior to Grade 7, I lived in Jakarta and joined ISKL in Grade 8 last year. When I heard our family was moving to Malaysia, I couldn’t wait. The thrill of moving to a new setting was exciting.

What were your first days of school like?

I was genuinely excited to start school in ISKL. I felt ready for a new change of scenery and environment from my previous school in Jakarta (not that I didn’t like the school there; I just needed something different!). The switch was definitely a big change for me— at my previous school, I had known everyone for as long as I could remember since we had grown up together. Moving to ISKL, however, felt like stepping into an entirely new world filled with unfamiliar faces and different surroundings. Despite the unfamiliarity, I was eager to meet new people and make new connections.

We understand you love to swim and are also part of the MUN. Please tell us more.

I have been swimming regularly since I started elementary. Like many who have tried swimming, it’s hard to like this sport from the get-go. The sport is fast-paced and ruins your hair (haha!). At first, I kept going only because I wanted to get fitter than my classmates and because my best friend was in the same club. But after years of training, I developed a genuine passion for swimming. Being in the water felt so familiar. It trains me to focus on bettering myself and being my personal best each time.

In Middle School (MS), I joined various debate championships, won several gold medals, and discovered a passion for debating. When I first joined MUN at ISKL, I thought it was similar to those debate competitions, but over time, I learned that MUN experiences also offer broader exposure to global politics and current affairs. It offered me the chance to develop new skills beyond the debates I was used to in MS.

Can you tell us more about your other hobbies and interests?

Besides swimming and debating, I enjoy reading and exploring music. Recently, I’ve developed a deep interest in collecting vinyl records and CDs. Something about the sound quality and the nostalgic feel makes the experience so much richer than just streaming music on Spotify or other apps. It’s a whole different mood—more immersive and authentic.

I also enjoy playing piano and guitar with my dad in my spare time. I love reading various genres of books, though lately, I’ve found myself drawn to psychological thrillers and mysteries. I love the challenge of trying to piece together the clues and figure out the twists before they’re revealed.

Through my passion for books, I helped start a small community library at my grandparents’ residence during Covid times to help give children around the neighborhood access to books during lockdown. It is one of my dreams to nurture this library and share the love of reading with other kids, especially those less privileged.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I hope to find a balance between enjoying life and being great at whatever I do. I want to ensure I achieve my goals and dreams while remembering to have fun while pursuing them. My dream is to be someone who can make a difference in any community I’m a part of, no matter how big or small the contribution may be. I cannot yet decide what career pathways I want to take, but I’m excited when I imagine myself studying economics and computer science at the same time (haha!). But above all, I want to keep learning and growing, staying curious and open-minded about the world around me!

Who or what inspires you or has influenced you?

My parents and grandparents are truly my inspiration. Growing up, I saw them passionate about doing their work and continuing their education while still making time for our families and giving back to the community around them. They taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. Most importantly, they taught me well how to have fun and enjoy my time while keeping true to those values. They inspire me to do better every day, never to stop learning, and to make time to make positive changes in my surroundings, no matter how small they are.

Most memorable moment at ISKL?

The most memorable moments so far at ISKL have to be my first and last Malaysia Week in Grade 8. It was an unforgettable experience that gave me the chance to get my diving license, along with learning various skills I didn’t even know I needed, like perseverance and teamwork. I went to Pulau Redang for Malaysia Week, where I spent my days diving with my best friends. Despite the fact that we did three dives a day, which was exhausting, the beauty of the underwater world more than made up for it. Seeing all the marine life up close with my own eyes was an incredible experience. And when we weren’t diving, we had some downtime in the afternoons, which I spent playing volleyball and other beach games with my friends. Watching the sunset after a long day, with the warm sand beneath our feet, was honestly one of the best moments I’ve ever had. Another highlight of the trip was waking up early to watch the sunrise, with the humid morning air filling the island and just taking it all in. It felt like one of those rare, peaceful moments where everything slows down, and you appreciate where you are and who you’re with.

What does “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” “mean to you?

The phrase “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world ” reminds us to focus on who we are and extend that understanding to those around us.

It starts with knowing yourself—taking the time to figure out what matters the most to you, what you’re good at, and what you need to work on. That self-awareness helps guide your choices and makes you more grounded. Then, it’s about caring for others, which means showing kindness and empathy and looking out for people beyond yourself. And lastly, it’s about taking that awareness and empathy to make a positive impact. Whether in small ways, like being a good friend, or in bigger ways, like standing up for something important, it all adds up to creating a better world for everyone.

Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always has 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.