One very special project that Aidan started because he felt an urge to help those in need is his very own “Peace Panda,” a nonprofit through which he donates 100% of the earnings to charity. Using his origami skills on thousands of notecards, Aidan carefully folds each small piece into a panda, which is then auctioned off to benefit various charities.

The idea for “Peace Panda” initially came while Aidan watched the news at an airport lounge and felt saddened that many children his own age are missing basic resources. 

“That really struck a nerve and that started to make me tear up,” said Aidan, “I wanted to do something good for them, and to support them.”

He soon found a way. While scrolling through videos online, Aidan came across an origami tutorial that showed him how to craft tiny figurines from folded paper boxes. He worked hard to produce similar figurines, channeling his desire for change into action. 

Aidan now uses any free time he can find to fold and fold, determined to turn paper into impact. What keeps him motivated to tackle such meticulous work? Aidan said, “The reason why I started this charity business is to help others in need. Our motto is ‘spreading kindness one fold at a time.’” With his origami pandas, Aidan raised nearly $14,000 through a single event for the charity Children in Conflict. 

But his days are packed — in addition to academics, squash, and Peace Panda, Aidan’s love of LEGOs fostered another project important to him: he co-founded “The Mighty Robotics” with William Dong ’30, Noah Levy ’31, Aaryav Sinha ’30, and Andrew Slaughter ’31. This team, with support from Spark Tank, creates starter robots and obstacles to inspire and engage our youngest learners at the 94th Street Campus. 

Recently, Aidan and his team (and their robot, TacoBot!) competed at the NYC Horace Mann Qualifier of the First LEGO League, where they won the 1st place innovation award and a silver ticket to the semi finals at Leonardo DaVinci School in Queens.

Lesa Wang, Head of Design and Director of Global Spark Program, described Aidan as incredibly determined, motivated, and most importantly “humble.” 

“For someone who’s done so much for other people, he doesn’t brag about it,” Wang said.

At Dwight, where he has been since kindergarten, Aidan shines not only as a student but as a community member. In every subject, from Math to English, Aidan is curious, and creates a positive learning environment.  

MYP English Teacher Barry Kimpel said, “One of Aidan's primary strengths is his willingness to ask questions and put forth ideas that he believes will promote a deeper understanding of what we are studying as a class. His willingness to stoke the dialogic flames — that are needed to enliven literary studies — helps illuminate deeper ideas and questions amongst his peers.”

Jennifer Boyce, MYP Mathematics Teacher, who teaches Aidan advanced math, noted that even in the classroom, Aidan is “civically minded.” 

“He helps other people, checks in during partner work, and makes sure his group is on topic and focused,” Ms. Boyce said. 

She also recalled a simple but illuminating gesture from Aidan, saying, “Every day, he comes in and says hello even when he doesn’t have math.”

It is, in fact, Aidan’s goodwill that has left the greatest impression on the Dwight community. 

That goodwill continues as he is preparing for another Peace Panda fundraiser, this time for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We wish him great success!