In 2023-24, Max balanced rigorous studies, athletics, and his passion for academic competition and debate through the World Scholars Cup and Model United Nations to excel in his first year in Dwight’s Upper School.
“I really enjoyed the World Scholars Cup, because it was a challenge,” said Max, “and I liked studying for it. But also, there was another aspect — just getting to know all the people that are involved from all around the world. It’s the World Scholars Cup, not just ‘Scholars,’ and that was really enriching.”
Max excelled in the World Scholar’s Cup (WSC) — an international academic competition in which students from top international schools around the world compete against one another as teams — and one which required learning a whole new curriculum on top of his regular day-to-day schooling.
“Max has a dedication to, and enthusiasm for, intellectual challenges,” said Marie Nieto, who advises Dwight’s World Scholars. “He was a true leader during the WSC and modeled for our younger students an intellectual curiosity and determination to do well.”
Max's journey in the competition began in the eighth grade with a regional round at Dwight, progressed to a global round at University College London, and culminated in the finals at Yale University in his ninth grade. He came home with a number of awards, but for Max, WSC was about more than just awards.
Reflecting on his most memorable moment, Max recalls the London round of the World Scholars Cup, where his team debated fiercely and defeated a team from Dubai.
"The judge asked for a selfie with us, because he thought we were good debaters. That was quite the moment because the judges are meant to be these stony, hard, impartial figures," he recalled.
Of his WSC achievements, Ms. Nieto added, “Max has an eagerness to engage with and excel on an international platform. His drive to meet and compete with peers from around the world underscores his deep interest in broadening his horizons and challenging himself beyond the classroom, which is wonderful to see.”
Model United Nations (MUN) was another international platform where Max excelled. Initially, he thought it would be an interesting use of his free lunchtime, but he quickly found himself captivated by the global perspective it offered. His first MUN conference in New York opened his eyes to global diplomacy.
Max’s athletic pursuits are equally impressive. Despite being new to the tackle version of rugby (he had played touch rugby in his native UK before coming to the states), he made his way onto the Varsity team, which took second place in their division in 2024. Beyond rugby, Max has also dabbled in track and field, continuing a long-standing interest in running. He also takes pride in his multilingual abilities, studying both French and Spanish mother tongue courses.
Balancing these demanding activities with his studies requires support, and Max credits Dwight’s teachers — and curriculum — for helping him manage. He’s found support from all his teachers, particularly Ms. Nieto and Ms. Rubenstein.
"Ms. Rubinstein, who's a coach for Rugby, is also a Dean for my grade, and so she sees these students academically and helps them all start high school.” He noted. “And I think Dwight, in terms of scheduling, has historically been very strong at finding room for extra things. For me, it was for two languages."
Max's experiences at Dwight have been shaped by the school's diverse and inclusive environment. Although he notes that cultural ties often bring friends, he emphasizes that friendships transcend nationalities at Dwight.
"Everyone gets along with everyone, and just makes friends with the people who they would be friends with, no matter where they come from." Max said.
Looking ahead, Max is excited about the opportunities the next three years at Dwight will bring. He plans to pursue the full International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and continue advancing in his athletic and academic interests. This year, he’s particularly looking forward to the personal project in MYP and taking Physics and Chemistry.
As Max continues to navigate his high school journey, he remains a shining example of what it means to be a Dwight student — dedicated, curious, and ready to take on the world.