Panthers of ISKL #325: Amanda V. (‘26) - The Eco-Driven Panther
ISKL is special to me because it’s where I’ve grown up. I started by playing with my friends on the playground at the Melawati campus, and soon I’ll be walking across the stage in my cap and gown in May 2026.
Meet Amanda V. (‘26), who started her ISKL journey in Grade 1 and now anticipates her departure from Grade 12 in 2026.
From founding the Gardening Club to introducing a new thrift clothing initiative, her passion for sustainability and eco-matters has developed throughout her education. She is certain to leave a legacy of caring for the planet behind her for generations of students to be inspired by and follow.
Here is Amanda’s story
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I am from Malaysia and the US. My mom is from Kuching, Sarawak, and my dad is from California, USA.
I have lived in Malaysia all of my life, and I feel extremely close to my Malaysian side. I joined ISKL in the first grade at the Melawati campus and have been part of the community ever since.
We understand that you love sustainability and eco matters. Tell us more about founding the Gardening Club and the Thrift Collective, and how they came about.
I have grown up being knowledgeable about the environment, especially since being at ISKL for years. The school has implemented fun activities and lessons to teach us about caring for our planet, even through the “Melawati Way”.
I joined the Gardening Club in my sophomore year and became an exec in Grade 11. It has taught me things I would have never learned. Gardening has become a niche hobby, but learning how to grow your own vegetables and caring for plants to help our ecosystem is something that should be cherished. During my time as exec, I had the opportunity to add a marketing component to the club to raise awareness of our club and share the initiatives we were participating in.
The Thrift Collective, on the other hand, is a brand-new club this year. This was my first time leading a club from the ground up, and there are definitely challenges I’ve encountered, but it doesn’t stop me from constantly improving the club every week. I decided to run this club because of my passion for thrifting and investing in second-hand clothing, rather than in fast fashion.
What inspires and drives you in these initiatives?
Specifically, with the Thrift Collective, what drove me to start a whole new club was that I wanted to spread the experience of thrifting and to show that second-hand clothes are just as good as brand-new ones. Fast fashion has filled our landfills for years, and by introducing thrifting to the ISKL community, we can slowly lessen the desire to buy micro-trend clothes. Thrifting has become extremely popular in Kuala Lumpur, and I wanted to bring that same excitement and creativity to our school, where students can find unique pieces, express themselves sustainably, and understand that fashion doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment. What truly inspires me is seeing students discover the value of reusing and reimagining clothes, and realizing that small changes in our habits can contribute to a much larger impact on our planet.
We know you are also an IASAS Golf and Film Delegate. Who are your role models in each area? And who influences you in each area?
My role model for film is Greta Gerwig because she represents what’s possible for female filmmakers. She’s shown that women can lead major productions while staying true to their creative voice, and that really motivates me to pursue filmmaking with the same confidence and authenticity. My role model for golf is Nelly Korda because she represents confidence, discipline, and consistency in a sport that’s often overlooked. I admire how she stays composed under pressure and continues to break barriers for women in golf, showing that female athletes deserve just as much recognition and respect.
Someone who personally influenced me, in both areas, was my dad. Genuinely without his support, from driving me to my golf lessons to helping out during filming, I wouldn’t have been able to recognize my passions. Even though he’s not here anymore, I continue to grow as both a filmmaker and a golfer, always hoping to make him proud.
Which Panther superlatives do you most associate yourself with and why?
The Resilient Panther - I think I’ve gone through a lot of obstacles in the past few years, but I’ve never let that stop me from pursuing my passions and working towards what I believe in. If you put your mind to something, anything is possible. That is what I carry with me every day.
What is your most memorable moment at ISKL?
My most memorable moment at ISKL was having my short film, Pages of Promise, projected in the RBG Theatre during IASAS Film. Creating and shooting that short film was challenging, as my crew and I encountered obstacles during the process. But seeing it on the big screen made everything worth it. Now, this short film has been selected in over 10 film festivals and has won 3, including the EDU Film Festival, Wing of Honor Film Festival, and the Tryon Film Festival.
What reflects your Panther spirit and personality?
The Most Onz Panther (Onz means nothing is impossible) reflects my Panther spirit because I believe in staying positive and taking initiative, even when life gets tough. There’s always something to look forward to, and taking that scary opportunity often leads to the most rewarding experiences. To me, being Onz means showing up with energy, resilience, and an open mind.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you and what you like most about the school.
I Suka (Like) ISKL because it is special to me and it’s where I’ve grown up. I started by playing with my friends on the playground at the Melawati campus, and soon I’ll be walking across the stage in my cap and gown in May 2026. Throughout my time at ISKL, what I like most about ISKL is how supportive the teachers are, especially in helping students explore and grow in their passions. I’ve always felt encouraged to pursue my interests, from filmmaking to marketing, and that support has really helped me gain confidence and experience in what I love doing. This has especially helped me decide what I want to pursue in the future.
What does the ISKL vision ‘Know yourself, care for all and create a better world” mean to you?
To me, “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” means understanding who you are and using that self-awareness to make a positive impact on others. Knowing yourself means recognizing your strengths, passions, and values. For me, that’s been through filmmaking, sports, and leadership. Caring for all reminds me to stay empathetic and inclusive, especially in school communities where everyone comes from different backgrounds. And creating a better world means taking what I’ve learned at ISKL and using it to contribute meaningfully, whether that’s through environmental initiatives like the Thrift Collective or supporting women in sports.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff member who always has an anecdote to tell, loves to share some insights into their passions and interests, 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.