Janam Chahal

“I always want my passion and my drive to be reflected outward. I don’t want to just follow along with what other people say, but have original ideas to contribute and take that idea all the way to the finish line. I think in the long run, I just want to look back and see all the things that I’ve actually done and that I’ve made an impact in the time I’ve spent here,” senior Audrey Dagum said.

A thinker, creator and advocate, senior Audrey Dagum views the world as one interconnected system of expression and impact. Whether she is reflecting on how her daily choices affect the planet, sketching ideas in her notebook or writing late at night, Audrey approaches each pursuit with intention and compassion. Art and writing are an integral part of her identity.

“Art is such a wide encompassing term that it’s hard to express myself in any other medium,” Audrey said. “Creating something tangible that reflects an aspect of your personality is extremely rewarding, and the process can help you figure out things that you didn’t really know about yourself until then as well. It feels the same with writing. When you find a sentence that fits or words that just go in sequence, you just want to keep reading it over and over again.”

For Audrey, fulfillment does not come from perfection or completion, but from discovery. She confronts uncertainty with curiosity, allowing her imagination to take the lead.

Audrey’s open mindedness allows her to stand out and thrive in any setting, from the classroom to Green Team meetings to the field. Close friend and lacrosse teammate senior Laura Bastos highlights Audrey’s willingness to support others, both as a friend and as an athlete.

“Audrey used to be pretty reserved, but as I got to know her, she opened up like a flower,” Laura said. “She is quite humorous, but she’s also able to have serious conversations with you. She’s never afraid to speak out or disagree with someone, and she really advocates for herself. Audrey is also a really skilled teammate, but she always uses that skill to help others advance instead of just staying ahead.”

Audrey’s mindset of taking the first step and fearlessly approaching the unknown guided her towards an unexpected passion: marine biology. What initially began as a fascination with the ocean during her youth developed into a deep understanding of the environment.

“We’re just so desensitized to the way the world works that when something is faulty, we let it slide because there’s so many other things to worry about,” Audrey said. “But the environment affects us all, and the more I learn about it, the harder it is to overlook. It’s hard to be a halfway environmental advocate because every single decision that you make affects the planet and affects your perception of yourself.”

Every action, from choosing to commute by car or bike to being mindful about waste, carries weight in Audrey’s mind. Throughout high school, her interest in environmental advocacy continued to grow. Audrey developed a deeper consciousness of her actions, especially in the interconnected modern world.

“I’ve become more conscious of my behavior and actions, and it’s made me appreciate the choices I have in life,” Audrey said. “When you’re overwhelmed with academics and personal issues, it can feel like you lack autonomy, but reflecting on how much time you spend repeating the same tasks makes you more aware of alternatives that could help others. You grow more empathetic and considerate of the world beyond yourself.”

English teacher Brigid Miller, who taught Audrey in Honors English 3 and Graphic Narrative, notes Audrey’s passion for literature.

“With Audrey, I see patience, I see love of learning, I see a genuine earnest enthusiasm for the material, whether there’s an assessment or not,” Miller said. “It’s not about jumping through hoops because I’m graded on participation or I might have a quiz on it. She serves as a wonderful model, thoroughly analyzing the literature, diving deep and bringing up points that no one else was going to see and giving you these ‘wow’ moments every day.”

Each small decision in Audrey’s life carries weight for her. She chases the satisfaction of coming up with a new idea and bringing her visions to life.

“I always want my passion and my drive to be reflected outward,” Audrey said. “I don’t want to just follow along with what other people say, but have original ideas to contribute and take that idea all the way to the finish line. I think in the long run, I just want to look back and see all the things that I’ve actually done and that I’ve made an impact in the time I’ve spent here.”