Panthers of ISKL #338: Tillie v.d.B (‘26) - The Liberal Panther
“Creating a better world” is, I’d say, one of my biggest goals in life. At my current stage in life, though, I am in the process of understanding the world and what in it needs bettering. I feel that I need to have a grasp on life, and living independently, before I can in earnest work to make the world better”.
Meet Tillie v.d.B (‘26), a Panther who finds inspiration in people, places, and politics. She views the world around her with open eyes and an open mind, expressing her personality through fashion, speech, and debate. She is a student who seizes life with a sense of purpose and expectation, not standing still and making the most of every moment. This highly motivated approach to life and her aspiration to ‘create a better world’ is impressive; so whilst she is inspired by others, we are inspired by her.
Here is Tillie’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
Hello! My name is Tillie, and I’m half British and half Belgian. I lived in Belgium for the majority of my life until I joined ISKL in Grade 6.
Tell us more about your interests and your hobbies. What do you enjoy doing both in ISKL and beyond school, during your spare time?
I have many hobbies and passions; in school, I love filmmaking and public speaking (specifically original oratory in speech and debate). I directed my first film, “Pages of Promise”, last year, which has won several awards. I’m most proud of winning “Best Student Film” at a film festival hosted by the Wings of Honour Museum in Arkansas, because of their important work in preserving and honoring those who fought in WWII. Both in and outside of school, I’m very passionate about history, which made this all the more meaningful to me.
One of the consistently most important things to me in my life is self-expression through fashion. I dress quite audaciously to say the least, but I feel most myself when I dress up. And, as part of my love for unique fashion, I thrift all my clothes. It’s definitely an ethical thing, because I dislike buying from large corporations, and the stuff at the second-hand shop is more unique, often of much better quality!
What and who inspires you in these interests and hobbies?
Many of my hobbies are motivated by my political and personal ideology. For example, in film, I always aim to communicate an important message, not only to entertain. “Pages of Promise” has a subtle anti-war message, while my other films like “Living Dead Girl” and “SQUEAK!” explore female identity and friendship. Feminism is very important to me, and so, for the past four years, I have written and delivered speeches on feminism during IASAS Speech and Debate.
My personal style, too, is sort of a rebellion against the idea of normalcy and conformity, a protest against the homogenization of fashion. I think it can often be seen as attention-seeking, but for me, whether it’s dressing goth, 1950s, or just plain weird, it's just an expression of my creativity and who I am as a person.
I don’t have any fashion designers or celebrities that inspire me with this, but rather I have these somewhat vague memories of strangers. The two main ones that have influenced me the most are these. I saw, from behind, a pink-haired woman, dressed all in pastels, with cat ears on (if I remember correctly) walking down the street, and at 7 years old, this was very formative.
The other is when, at a second hand fair, I saw a group of goths. One stood out, though: it was a man, towering well over 6 feet tall, wearing massive platform shoes, and a floorlength black leather trench coat, with a mohawk of metal spikes embedded in his bald head. Coolest thing ever. I hope I’m one of those strangers for someone.
Who are your role models? And who influences you?
It’s made abundantly clear by the gigantic posters and abundance of photographs and printed pictures around my room that I am a fan of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. But it’s much more than their films and iconic looks which make them role models to me. Both Audrey and Marilyn persevered through difficult childhoods and, in adulthood, were charitable and caring towards those in need. Marilyn, especially, who is often seen as a shallow symbol of beauty and sex, is much deeper than she’s often given credit for. She worked tirelessly to improve her acting skills, was incredibly well-read (especially in her favorite Dostoevsky), and used her fame to advocate against racial segregation. She also started her own production company, breaking free from the Hollywood studios that would continually cast her as a dumb blonde.
As a teenager, Audrey Hepburn was part of the Dutch resistance in WW2, risking her life to play her part in defeating the Nazis. Later in life, she became a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador, until her death in 1993 due to appendiceal cancer. Even after her diagnosis in 1992, she continued her humanitarian work for children in need. Both these women inspire me as fashion icons, and, on a much deeper level, as real people; real women who struggled, persevered, and were wildly successful, all while continuing to be kind, grounded, and speak up for those in need.
What are your plans when you graduate from ISKL?
I’m going to university at the University College of Utrecht in the Netherlands. I’ll be studying a program called “Liberal Art and Sciences” where you can pick which courses you’d like to take. I mainly want to focus on history, specifically medieval and early modern history, but I’d also like to take classes in literature, politics, and media studies (film).
I think it’s very important to have plans after graduation that aren’t at all related to university, so, apart from academics, there are a bunch of things I want to do in my university years. I want to learn how to swing dance, to travel to Eastern Europe (specifically Transylvania and Transnistria), to attend a protest, to learn German, to go bleach blonde (like Marilyn), to work (as a waitress or tour guide perhaps), to see the Bayeux Tapestry, and to own a cat.
And there’s much more, of course. But mainly, I don’t know how else to describe it, but I’m excited to live more!
What is your most memorable moment at ISKL?
I think, if I had to pick one moment (there are many), it would be during my Grade 11 GAP trip to Nepal. Specifically, when we were up in the mountains, it was already dark outside, and the group had just finished an activity making momo (Nepalese dumplings). A few of us went into the tent where they were cooking the momo and helped make some more. Like a conveyor belt, someone would make the dough, someone else would roll it out, and the others would stuff and fold the dumplings. While we worked, we talked and listened to music. Our guide for the trip, LaMa, showed us the music he made, specifically a song called “Sunko Jantara”. Warmed by the fire from the oven, laughing with my friends, and hungrily awaiting the delicious food, it occurred to me how ecstatically happy I was.
Which of these Panther superlatives best describes you? Which Panther do you most associate yourself with and why?
I’d like to say, “The Most Onz Panther”, because it immediately reminded me of a quotation from Audrey Hepburn: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’”.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you.
ISKL is special to me because it is where I found a community, both on a large scale as the school itself, and on a smaller scale with my group of friends. That’s also what I like most about it. Not the campus, the classes, or the International Baccalaureate, but rather the spirit of the people who make up ISKL. I think our community is a very special little bubble, and I will miss it greatly.
What does the ISKL vision ‘Know yourself, care for all and create a better world’ mean to you?
To me, as you can see above, “know yourself” is very important. I try to fulfill it every day by dressing and expressing myself exactly how I want and feel. Caring for all, I think, to an extent comes naturally to everyone, but it is important (though much harder) to act on that caring, to help and listen to others. This is what it means to me, and this is what I’m trying to implement more of in my life.
“Creating a better world” is, I’d say, one of my biggest goals in life. At my current stage in life, though, I am in the process of understanding the world and what in it needs bettering. I feel that I need to have a grasp on life and living independently before I can work earnestly to make the world better.
Of course, there are the small things, like being kind and activism on a small scale (like I do with my Original Oratory Speeches), but I consider that making my world better, and I’d really like to scale it up.
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.