SAS Community Voices

Tanya Zakowich
Huda Karim

Tanya Zakowich
Class of 2010
📍 Singapore

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Sera Yoshino
Huda Karim

Sera Yoshino
Class of 2005
📍 New York, NY

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Lauren Thomas
Huda Karim

Lauren Thomas
Class of 1989
📍Louisville, KY

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Linda Spataru
Huda Karim

Linda Spataru
Class of 2015
📍 New York, NY

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David Snyder
Huda Karim

David Snyder
Class of 1989
📍 Antimony, UT

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Sajan Shah
Huda Karim

Sajan Shah
Class of 2009
📍Hillsboro, OR

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Shannon Salter
Huda Karim

Shannon Salter
Class of 1988
📍Gilbertsville, PA

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Yashika Mody
Huda Karim

Yashika Mody
Class of 2008
📍Singapore

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Carmen Onstad Matthews
Huda Karim

Carmen Onstad Matthews
Class of 1960
📍Minneapolis, MN

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Douglas Lee
Huda Karim

Douglas Lee
Class of 1976
📍New York, NY

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Kavin Kapoor
Huda Karim

Kavin Kapoor
Class of 2020
📍Los Angeles, CA

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Satvik “SJ” Jain
Huda Karim

Satvik “SJ” Jain 
Class of 2020
📍Chicago, IL

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Rushton Hurley
Huda Karim

Rushton Hurley
Class of 1984
📍San Jose, CA

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Timothy Goh
Huda Karim

Timothy Goh  
Class of 2019
📍Washington, D.C.

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James Fan
Huda Karim

James Fan 
Class of 2010
📍Singapore

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Christopher Ellis
Huda Karim

Christoper Ellis
Class of 1996
📍Singapore

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Sarah Datta
Huda Karim

Sarah Datta 
Class of 2022
📍Malibu, CA

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Nicholas Dale
Huda Karim

Nicholas Dale
Class of 1999
📍Singapore

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Zoe Adamopoulos
Huda Karim

Zoe Adamopoulos
Class of 2017
📍 New York, NY

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Indéa Windust
  • Alumni
John Cabot University

I’ll miss my advisory the most, because it was always entertaining and hilarious.

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Sai Diya Sen
  • Alumni
University of Edinburgh Veterinary School

I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the constant support of my teachers, and as I say my farewells, I know I want to keep in touch with the ones that truly made a difference in my life.

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Bo Pilarczyk
  • Alumni
Tufts University

From sixth grade cooking classes to Catalyst in high school, SAS consistently provides diverse avenues to hands-on creativity.

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Sydney Nimerick
  • Alumni
Saint Louis University

There is so much value in playing a sport, joining a service club, or participating in the arts.

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Rupert Lim
  • Alumni
Haverford College

I have grown to love learning all sorts of things, from the logical STEM topics to subjects that are more abstract and open to interpretation, such as English and music.

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Zi Ning Lau
  • Alumni
University of Oxford

As my home for the past four years, the music program at SAS has fostered lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.

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Yuzo Lai
  • Alumni
National Service

Above all, SAS has given me an understanding of the transformative power of creation—the indescribable exhilaration that accompanies the generation of work that is truly one's own.

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Rebecca Frey
  • Alumni
Barnard College, Columbia University

The thing I will miss most about SAS is the people. The variety of options at SAS means students are continually meeting new classmates and friends, even from other grades.

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Rimi Chakravarti
  • Alumni
Barnard College, Columbia University

SAS is special because it helps students fulfill their potential and push themselves to try new things.

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Richard Bae
  • Alumni
National Service

I think the diversity at SAS is what makes the experience truly unique. SAS has students from many different cultures, and by taking advantage of this, I was able to realize its benefits.

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Avni Varshney
Purdue University

Because SAS has a diverse student body, these connections enabled me to grow as a person, look at global issues from different perspectives, and find unique solutions to problems.

Arnab Saha
  • Alumni
National Service

I will miss the SAS sense of community and teachers like Mr. Matt Hughes, Mr. Shane Fitts, Mr. Kristian Ganske, and Mr. Jeff Pabotoy, who are always willing to explain the same concept again and again until you feel comfortable.

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Anika “Rex” Rudra
  • Alumni
Ringling College of Art + Design

I’ve deeply appreciated the SAS emphasis on character and self-advocacy. The academic hustle among the students can get overwhelming, but all my teachers have stressed the importance of seeking guidance or asking questions.

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Ryan Lee
  • Alumni
Cornell University

The freedom to drive my own learning, combined with the incredible support SAS provides, allowed me to excel, and these experiences cemented my passion for engineering.

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Justin Lee
  • Alumni
Northeastern University

At SAS, I learned how to be resilient in the face of social and academic hardships. I'd say every teacher has inspired me to reach the best version of myself inside the classroom. They've done this by always challenging me and helping me when I'm struggling.

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Arshiya Lall
  • Alumni
Tufts University

The people are what make SAS special. We each have our own set of unique interests that we share with others to create collective experiences and a vibrant community.

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Mateo Boffi
  • Alumni
Virginia Tech

I was really inspired at SAS by the Quest curriculum. Being able to pursue my passion in a professional setting really helped me solidify my interest in architecture. I also took various design classes that I really enjoyed.

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Jazlyn Brito
  • Alumni
University of California, Davis

SAS is special because of its diversity in cultures, many opportunities, and sense of community. I will miss all this, because SAS has felt like home for 13 years.

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Allenka Jeharajah
  • Alumni
Pitzer College

My favorite thing about SAS is the diversity of the student body. In my 13 years at SAS, I have been fortunate to be friends with people from all over the world. 

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Owen Green
  • Alumni
Denison University

The challenging academic workload that we adapt to at SAS will pay dividends down the line, especially in college.

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Siya Anish
  • Alumni
Indiana University Bloomington

SAS taught me the importance of being the best version of myself. There is a lot of competition, but it creates the drive to push yourself, publish work that you are passionate about and proud of, and put a 100-percent effort into everything.

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Shreya Sridhar
  • Alumni
Northwestern University

SAS prepared me for the real world by showing me there’s no limit to what you can do—as long as you ask. SAS has so many opportunities to take advantage of, if only you reach out to your teachers.

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Sean Woosung Chang
  • Alumni
Emory University

SAS prepared me for the future not only through rigorous academics, but also through its emphasis on character. I learned the importance of responsibility, honesty, compassion, fairness, and respect as fundamental virtues that show what kind of person I am.

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Saachi Anish
  • Alumni
Indiana University Bloomington

SAS prepared me for college by teaching me that teamwork is fundamental to success. The many group projects I did at SAS taught me essential communication and social skills, and so improved my self-confidence.

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Declan Sheehan
  • Alumni
Bates College

Working with a faculty member on a more equal footing was a very special opportunity. I think this will help me as Bates has a very low student–faculty ratio and I'm excited to work closely with my professors.

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Cal Galicia
  • Alumni
New York University Tisch School of the Arts

One piece of advice for younger SAS students is that the way to get the most out of SAS is to just get involved. The more activities you take part in, the more you'll get out of your time here.

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Andrew Sung
  • Alumni
Yale University

SAS taught me independence, autonomy, and what a caring student-focused academic environment is truly like.

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Alisha Bhandari
  • Alumni
Pace University

SAS taught me to understand that everyone has different experiences, which made me a more caring person.

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Aditya Pradhan
  • Alumni
Rice University

SAS taught me to seek new experiences and get out of my comfort zone.

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Zhirou Gao
  • Alumni
Columbia University

At SAS, I learned to manage my time carefully and always say "yes" to a challenge.

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Rohit Narayanan
  • Alumni
Princeton University

SAS really inspires student autonomy and initiative. I feel that the predominant attitude at SAS is, “Do it and show me results, then let’s talk,” and I can’t think of a better lesson for real life.

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Radhe Patel
  • Alumni
University of California, Berkeley

Through SAS, I have made lifelong friendships with people who are very different from me, and I think it is this diversity that makes the school so special.

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Nandini Kuppa-Apte
  • Alumni
Carnegie Mellon University

SAS taught me to put in more than what’s expected, rather than doing the bare minimum.

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Lara Westwood-Marsh
  • Alumni
United States Military Academy at West Point

The most valuable lesson I learned at SAS was to put 101% into everything I did.

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Katherine Zhang
  • Alumni
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

SAS helped me prepare for college through teaching me the importance of time management, especially through Quest and project-based learning.

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Grant Schooling
  • Alumni
Stanford University

SAS has prepared me for college because it’s taught me how to lead with compassion and empathy, especially through my work in the executive service council.

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Genevieve Felder
  • Alumni
George Mason University’s School of Dance

Competition is a huge part of the SAS culture, and although at times it can be overwhelming, it has led me to keep pushing myself to grow as a person, student, and dancer.

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Flavia Vacirca
  • Alumni
Northeastern University

One lesson I learned at SAS that has prepared me for college is that people will notice it when you put a lot of effort into something just as much as they notice when you do not.

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Diana Yuan
  • Alumni
University of Pennsylvania

The SAS community is special for the multifaceted talents it brings together. But personally, I’ve always been most inspired by the work ethic and determination shared among SAS students, whether it be on the field, in the auditorium, or in the library.

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Alan Chang
  • Alumni
University of Oxford, England

I was fortunate to have wonderful SAS peers and teachers to help ease my transition, and I learned a lot from the process.

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Lexie Walling
  • Alumni
California Baptist University

SAS is special because of the facilities and the endless opportunities. Students have so many options as to what passion they might want to pursue.

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Yash Talekar
  • Alumni
National Serviceman

I am proud of my drive to keep challenging myself. I never thought I would be able to do a research project in engineering or reach the top of the climbing gym, but perseverance led to some of my proudest achievements. I am proud that I will try hard to never give up and believe that "Yash, I can!"

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Mila Robins
  • Alumni
New York University

What's my favorite SAS memory? Interim Semester in Kenya! Taking bucket showers, being completely isolated from wifi/phones/ social media, and spending a week in communal tent was an experience second to none.

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Shungo Najima
  • Alumni
University of California San Diego

SAS prepared me to be versatile. With courses in a multitude of subjects and flexible courses like Catalyst, I was able to foster my interests and develop new ones.

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Jae Hee Koh
  • Alumni
UC Berkeley

One lesson that I learned at SAS that has prepared me for college is to pursue the things I genuinely enjoy.

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Aoife Haakenson
  • Alumni
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

SAS has taught me to face challenges with grit.

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Sohit Gatiganti
  • Alumni
Stanford University

What makes SAS special is its emphasis on participation in extracurriculars and encouragement to pursue passions beyond academics.

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Iñaki Hew
  • Alumni
Queen's University

In my three years at SAS, it is the students and teachers who have had the strongest impact on me. When I first moved to Singapore, making friends was a huge challenge. However, the diversity at SAS offers a fantastic mix, giving me an opportunity to overcome shyness.

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Chloe Shin-Gay
  • Alumni
University of Toronto

Failure isn't the end. In moments when you're struggling and working hard, and end up falling short, sometimes it seems like the world will end. But you have got to keep moving.

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Mika Martin
  • Alumni
University of Michigan

SAS offers a plethora of opportunities to explore your passions, leaving it to individual students to make their choices. This skill in a high school setting has prepared me to take on the challenge of trying to build experiences a larger university setting.

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Rebecca Kuehn
  • Alumni
Rollins College

SAS is renowned for academic rigor and students who take pride in their grades. I feel SAS prepared me for the academic transition into college.

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Max Huang
  • Alumni
National Serviceman

The academic rigor at SAS has prepared me for NS life. But more importantly, it is the interactions with students and teachers over the years that have made me more confident.

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Andrea Horn
  • Alumni
Tufts University

SAS taught me to understand my potential and my limits andhow far I could challenge myself. It taught me to be realistic and prioritize my tasks.

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Chris Hong
  • Alumni
Rice University

The diversity at SAS provides a very unique environment for one to learn and grow.

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Faisal Halabeya
  • Alumni
Boston University

At SAS, I learned to teach myself. Classes here are both challenging and independent, it's extremely rewarding to find out what I know and what I don't on my own and then go out and ask those specific, clarifying questions.

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Enzo Esguerra
  • Alumni
University of Toronto

What makes SAS special is the diversity in this school. SAS prepares you for real life by pushing you out of your comfort zone—interacting with new people and different perspectives. The education here encourages confident public speaking—an extremely useful life skill.

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Tanvi Dutta Gupta
  • Alumni
Stanford University

At SAS, I learned never to doubt my own abilities and to take advantage of opportunities. I threw myself wholeheartedly into whatever I did because that's the only way to produce a result I'm proud of.

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Jamie Uy
  • Alumni
New York University - Abu Dhabi

My years at SAS taught me that anything is possible. Without the SAS pioneering spirit, I may not have even imagined starting a literary magazine to support other teen writers, researching a contemporary film through the AP Capstone program, or becoming a high school teaching assistant.

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Hayley Sparrow
  • Alumni
Student - New York University

SAS competitive environment and superior facilities, faculty, and curriculum caused me to push myself throughout my time here.

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Priscilla Chan
  • Alumni
Tech Specialist - Spotify

It struck me almost immediately how open and outgoing everyone was in SAS. Even at 11, I felt pushed to think creatively, develop a strong point of view and pursue interests both in and out of class.

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Brandon Zitur
  • Alumni
National Serviceman

If I were to state just one lesson that SAS has taught me, it would be the value of friendships. These relationships have helped me overcome tough situations and shed light on new perspectives on a wide range of topics.

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Janvi Kalra
  • Alumni
Darthmouth College

Common among all SAS teachers is a desire to help their students to succeed.They go the extra mile to help us outside class hours and care about our personal well being.

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Grady Olson
  • Alumni
Santa Clara University

SAS is made special by all of the passionate and hardworking faculty and staff here. Every teacher I have had at SAS genuinely cares about the learning of their students and is more than knowledgeablein their subject(s) of expertise.

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Jessica Zhu
  • Alumni
New York University

SAS has taught me to give it my all and strive for the best.

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Roopal Kondepudi
  • Alumni
University of Southern California

SAS is a place I can call my own. What I'll miss most is the privilege of being a student to some of the best teachers.

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Gabriella Zhao
  • Alumni
United Singapore

The environment at SAS exemplifies what it is like to be among the best of the best. An opportunity to pursue passions, and the amazing support from the school administration is what sets this school apart.

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Hope Tanudisastro
  • Alumni
University of Sydney

At SAS, I was able to have the freedom and the resources to seek out and passionately follow my interests.

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Sebastien Guy
  • Alumni
Director and Writer

My time at SAS was quite pivotal in my life as high school is generally the years you start to build strong friends and find your identity.

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Max Escaler
  • Alumni
Co-Founder - ToneTree

SAS did an amazing job prepping me for the outside world. Whether it was through my AP Courses prepping me for college or Interim Semester exposing me to cultures out of my reach. SAS has given me a perspective on the world I wouldn't have had otherwise.

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Freya Parekh
  • Alumni
Second Assistant Director

Mr. Clemens is hands down the sole reason I stuck to film all four years of high school. There has never been anyone as encouraging and important in my life, aside from my dad, as Mr. Clemens. He is the main reason I’m in film today.

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Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw
  • Alumni
Professional Model

I pretty much grew up in Singapore American School. I lived so close to school and had a great community of friends who lived nearby as well. And when I was a student, SAS really pushed me academically and encouraged me to chase what I loved doing—dance.

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Radhika Agarwal
  • Alumni
Interaction Design Fellow - Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design

The SAS faculty make SAS what it is. Those mentors were very important to me when I was in high school, middle school, and elementary school, and remain very important to me today.

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Vicki Rogers
  • Alumni
Founder and President - Champion Coaching and Consultant

I remember the day I got onto the airplane to go to university—my first thought was, how am I going to get back? When the opportunity came for me to come home to Singapore and to SAS, I jumped at it.

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Niket Desai
  • Alumni
Entrepreneur

SAS takes a bunch of people who are in many ways orphans of the world and puts them together,” he explained. You’re given this perspective at SAS that is actually put into you—and the only way you ever see it working or manifesting is by going somewhere else.

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Blair Berg
  • Alumni
Teacher/Coach - International School of Manila

In the classroom, on the court, or in the field, I want my students and athletes to know that I truly care for them. I will encourage them, help them, and push them every chance I get. I want them to have a space where they can feel safe, supported, and trusted to be themselves.

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Nigel Wylie
  • Alumni
Co-Founder - The Resolution Co.

I remember us having all these different kinds of tools to tinker with; solar panels, the first phase of a 3D printer, and so much more. Being able to direct my own learning at SAS really inspired me.

  • 2005
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Kyle Aldous
  • Alumni
Director of Communications - Singapore American School

Professional Breakdancer

At SAS I was surrounded by teachers and students who saw my potential and then provided the support, encouragement, and push needed to rise to a level I hadn't thought possible.

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Kate Ryan
  • Alumni
Managing Director - Diffusion PR

The standards at SAS are so high—you start to expect excellence from yourself and from those around you.

  • 2002
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Michael Mell
  • Alumni
Product Manager - S&P Dow Jones

My personal belief is that all of us who experienced SAS have a certain openness that leads to discovering what we have in common.

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Francesco Zargani
  • Alumni
Marketing Manager - STMicroelectronics

The lessons learned at SAS and in Singapore have always stayed with me, a testament not just to the quality of the teachers, the institution, and the country, but a validation of a life many of our parents chose with trepidation.

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Katie Wilhoit
  • Alumni
IDEO Colab Fellow

The teachers at SAS inspired the entrepreneur and design consultant in me, and the combination of my courses gave me a strong interdisciplinary perspective to problem solving.

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Elaine Lunsford
  • Alumni
Graduate - Dartmouth College

Beyond the classroom, I think SAS prepares its students for life by presenting us with so many opportunities and encouraging us to show initiative, seek these out, and develop our passions, as well as giving students many opportunities to grow in leadership.

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James Lunsford
  • Alumni
Post Graduate - Texas A&M University

Having the ability to learn and think critically and independently is important and is something I think SAS taught well. 

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Zach Nelson
  • Alumni
Senior Program Officer - Center for Diversity and National Harmony

It’s rare to maintain such long friendships in such a transient community, but I was a lucky dude!

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Colton West
  • Alumni
Professional Ballet Dancer - Eugene Ballet Company

I think the attitude of being able to go into any situation and know that whether it’s a good experience or a bad experience that there is something to learn from is definitely something I learned from Ms. Van der Linden.

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Matt Rogers
  • Alumni
Chief Operating Officer - Singapore American School

SAS has always been committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience which our family has benefited from. 

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Maiki Del Rosario
  • Alumni
Student Teacher - Singapore American School

Five years ago SAS alumna Maiki Del Rosario was listening to her teachers—now she is the teacher.

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Brandon Meehan
  • Alumni
Associate Propulsion Test Engineer - Virgin Galactic

I really tried to take advantage of the APs offered at SAS. I remember the first year and a half of math classes at a top-notch college were a breeze.

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Tammy Duckworth
  • Alumni
Senator - Illinois

After two House terms, Democrat, war veteran, and former SAS student Tammy Duckworth won a Senate seat in Illinois, putting both of the state’s Senate seats in Democratic hands. 

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Linda Ferguson
  • Alumni
Class of 1967

Singapore had changed so much for me but the fact that I was able to show my daughter where I had grown up was the highlight of the trip! And seeing my wonderful friends who I remembered with such fondness.

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