Meet Class of 2026 student Kyrylo S., who recently was awarded the prestigious Margaret Sanders scholarship. Kyrylo is not only an academically strong student, but also a passionate dancer and a caring person, who is always ready to help the community. Read more about him in the interview below.

Tell us a bit more about yourself - when did you come to AAS, where have you lived before Sofia?

I came to AAS in 2022, when I was in 9th grade. Before coming here I lived and studied at a public school in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. My family had to flee Ukraine, so coming to this school was an unexpected event for me. I knew very little English and it was difficult to communicate with my peers, so I created a system for myself. I did extra work outside of school, learned new words every day, and tried to translate and remember phrases my classmates used. It was definitely a challenge, but eventually, I got comfortable.

What do you like about AAS? 

I love the opportunities that AAS provides to its students along with a great community - charity, volunteering, arts, and athletics. I was truly able to grow as an individual thanks to the many activities that I am involved in at the school and because of the incredibly supportive and welcoming environment that AAS is. I really feel like the teachers at AAS set you up for success by caring about your learning and being actively involved with the students.  Having only 20 students per class here allows for an individual approach where teachers can actually help you develop your specific strengths.

What is the most important thing you learned at AAS?

The most important thing I learned at AAS is embracing your strengths and uniqueness. While being a studious person I am also engaged in a range of creative activities like musicals. I’ve learned in the past few years that I can develop in many different areas at the same time and it is not necessary to just focus on one thing at a time. I remember that ever since I was a child many people were saying that what I want to do is going to be difficult or that my high expectations about my future are probably never going to come true. For example, because I love science and math, people would often say that when I get older they are going to become really difficult and I won’t love them anymore. Ever since people began saying that I’ve been proving them wrong. Even when I was choosing my IB subjects I was faced with a lot of comments about the challenge I was in for. 

What is the Margaret Sanders Award about and how did you come to apply?

The award is given to students who demonstrate character strengths such as persistence and motivation, resourcefulness, as well as acceptance of other cultures and points of view. I found out about the award from our college counselor, Ms Christman, who along with other members of staff supported me in the application process. I had to submit several documents: three or four recommendation letters, a cover sheet with my aspirations, and a two-page essay on my commitment to service.

What do you think is the key to building a strong community? 

I think the key is being open to multiple perspectives, cultures, and traditions. I believe that a strong community can only arise if people are able to accept and embrace our differences and turn them into our advantages. Opportunities to be kind appear every day. At AAS I learned to be more open minded and saw how my circle of friends began to expand. That’s when I realized that being genuine, accepting and open to serve is what makes a community strong. 

What field of study do you want to pursue after graduating and where? How did you decide this is your field?

I want to study aerospace engineering because I love physics, math, designing projects, and airplanes. So it felt neutral to pursue this path after high school. When I was a child I wanted to become a pilot, but later on realized that I would love to focus on constructing and designing airplanes. I also chose this industry because I want to contribute to it being more sustainable as it accounts for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. 

Besides being an academically strong student, you are also very artistic. How did you discover your love for dancing?

I discovered my love for dancing when I was a child. I really enjoyed dancing when I was in elementary school and we had school performances. After that, my parents encouraged me to dance outside of school as well, and ever since I’ve been dancing, which is by the way for the past 10 years. It’s my favorite way to express my emotions and get physical exercise. I would definitely keep dancing in the future  as a hobby.
 

What would you say to your 12 year old self?

I’d tell my 12 year old self that everything that I was about to experience would help me in the future and that I was on the right path. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I see myself interning at some company and working on developing sustainable aircrafts. 

What advice would you give to a new student joining AAS?

• Take advantage of everything -  Embrace the interests the school allows you to explore.
• Be your own person and don't let others influence your path  - People told me IB Physics and Math would be too hard, but if you have good learning habits and are organized, it is very manageable. Have your own opinion and follow what you love.