Panthers of ISKL #308: Vayden W. (‘27) - The Uplifting Panther
I love reaching for the stars, even when people tell me not to, because I’m someone who has big dreams for my future. I’m grateful for this part of who I am, because so far it has carried me far—and I hope to keep it up.
Meet Vayden W. (‘27), a Grade 11 Malaysian student who believes that with passion and determination, truly nothing is impossible. Vayden joined ISKL in Grade 7 and quickly immersed himself in the community, finding a welcoming environment rich with opportunity.
Apart from being active in the school's computer science scene, where he co-leads both the Intro to Computer Science and High School Advanced Computer Science clubs, he is dedicated to cultivating a love for coding in others. Vayden is also an enthusiastic actor, having starred in major school productions such as Shrek and The Great Gatsby, and is currently preparing for this year’s production of Mamma Mia!
Here is Vayden’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Vayden; I’m from and have lived my whole life in Malaysia.
I joined ISKL halfway through Grade 7 in 2022. It was a bit disorienting at first – everything was so big, but luckily I was able to make friends my first week here, and that made navigating the school a lot easier.
The person who nominated you mentioned that you are a role model and 'uplift those around you.' Can you share a time when you acted as a mentor or source of support for a peer? What was the outcome of that interaction?
I feel really flattered to hear that! A time that comes to mind where I acted as a mentor was pretty much the entirety of last year, when I was a member of Intro to Computer Science; it felt really good helping Middle School students with any problems they had with their code, teaching them foundations and cultivating a love of programming as I was in the exact same boat two years ago. From there, I self-taught myself Java over the summer, as I would be taking AP CSA in Grade 10, and that was when I realized that I wanted to help people learn how to code, which is what prompted me to join Intro to Computer Science.
Please describe what co-curricular activities you take part in at ISKL.
I co-lead the Intro To Computer Science Club and High School Advanced Computer Science (HACS), where in the former, we teach Middle School students how to code using Java, and in the latter, we teach High School students how to code or improve their current programming skills.
I also enjoy acting, and I’ve taken part in productions of Shrek, The Great Gatsby, and now Mamma Mia! I’ve also been involved in IASAS drama in Grade 9 and Grade 10, and now I hope to make it again in my Grade 11 year!
Who or what inspires you or has influenced you?
In no particular order: my parents, my grandparents, my sister, Jensen Huang, Alexander Hamilton, Toussaint Louverture, LeBron James, Spider-Man, and Adam Ondra. An idea that also motivated me is the idea of wanting to become someone my younger self would think is cool.
What are your plans after you graduate from ISKL?
After I graduate from ISKL, I want to study Computer Science, specifically in the AI field, either in the US or the UK.
I also want to travel the world, keep in touch with my friends, and do stuff to ensure I have cool stories to tell my kids and grandkids when I’m old. I’d also like to continue acting as a hobby after I graduate from ISKL
Which Panther are you?
🐾I am the Most Onz Panther – (Onz means nothing is impossible)
Share why you chose this superlative and how it shows your Panther spirit!
I’m the Most Onz Panther because I like to think that nothing is impossible if you really put your mind to it. It’s helped me a lot in life and kept me motivated when I’ve wanted to give up in the past.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you:
I Suka (Like) ISKL because no matter who you are, there are always people that you can connect with. As a community, ISKL is incredibly diverse, helpful, and welcoming. You could strike up a conversation with anyone and genuinely enjoy it, be it a student, a teacher, a security guard, etc. There are also tons of opportunities here in terms of academics, sports, and clubs; you can explore your possible interests, and the best part is you’ll be met with lots of support.
What does ISKL’s vision, “Know yourself, care for all and create a better world,” mean to you?
The statement “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” is a source of inspiration for me. In order to create a better world and care for everyone, you have to know yourself, who you are, and what you believe in. It’s a meaningful statement for me, and it’s a very good vision to have.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff member 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.