David's interest in law began not in a courtroom, but in his living room in seventh grade. Witnessing his mother's distress after a relative's incarceration, he saw firsthand the impact of the legal system on people's lives. This experience sparked a deep fascination with lawyers, who he saw as crucial figures in navigating complex situations and advocating for others. 

Reflecting on his Collingwood journey that began in Grade 1, David sees how experiences there shaped his path. While initially drawn to STEM, a turning point came in eighth grade when his social studies teacher showed him the intrigue of history beyond memorization. This new love for social sciences, coupled with his growing interest in law, nudged him towards his true calling.

A setback in ninth grade, not qualifying for Advanced Topics in Mathematics, proved to be a blessing in disguise. It freed up time for David to explore his passion for law. 

“I was able to visit the British Columbia courts and listen to episodes of Bloomberg Law. This  really cemented my desire to become a lawyer!”

Over time, David also volunteered at the Museum of North Vancouver, deepening his appreciation for local history, and–driven by a passion for Roman history–he delved into studying Latin as a way to challenge himself.

David credits Collingwood teachers and his guidance counselor, Ms. Adriaanse, for their invaluable advice. Initially interested in STEM, David realized his true passion lay in social sciences. Ms. Adriaanse supported him throughout, from course selection to post-secondary planning.

“Ms. Adriaanse was there for me every step of the way,” says David.  Whether it be a course change or a question regarding my application, she was always happy to help. 

“David chose a very rigorous program throughout his time at Collingwood, “ adds Ms. Adriaanse. “He accelerated quickly through our program by taking full advantage of our trimester system and summer institute, allowing him to access advanced level courses at an earlier age than many of his peers.”

Collingwood’s trimester timetable offers students an unmatched breadth and depth of courses. Those options coupled with an extensive co-curricular program allows students to personalize their learning in an area of study unique to them.

For David, Philosophy 12 equipped him with the crucial skills of critical thinking and argumentation. He learned to analyze evidence and consider multiple perspectives. AP Economics provided a deeper understanding of the world's economic systems, fostering a critical look at the role of legislation and its impact.

“I’ve always been a fan of magazines, such as the Financial Times or the Economist; during Macroeconomics, I could finally understand them.  I was able to bridge the gap between theoretical economics and applied economics, especially relating to the legislative aspect.”

Last year, David also wrote a research paper with Pioneer Academics. Although digging through archived Federal Reserve papers was certainly a grueling process, the results were nothing short of rewarding. 

“In my research, I analyzed and provided a prognosis of the Volcker Rule, a piece of banking legislation aimed to curb proprietary trading. This really opened my eyes to the importance of enforcing and adhering to good laws, something neither the government nor the banks did leading up to the Great Recession. Putting myself into the shoes of a banking legislator felt really different from Philosophy class. Rather than trying to win an argument, I was actually setting the ground rules this time.”

Initially, David was primarily interested in attending a US college and he was admitted to many prestigious institutions. In the end, though, he chose to attend a direct entry program to study law at King's College London. 

“David will learn the essentials of Common Law and he will have options within the Commonwealth countries as to where he may end up using that degree in the future,” adds Ms. Adriaanse. “He will enhance his global education further by attending a UK university with the benefit of experiencing worldviews amongst his future classmates from all corners of the globe.

“Kings College was initially really appealing to me because of its geography,” adds David. “It’s steps away from the inns and courts and not far away from city firms where solicitors practice.” 

And of course, as an avid reader of history, David acknowledges that Europe was especially appealing.