Alyssa’s Pathway

After 13 years at Bangkok Patana School, Alyssa is about to trade the comfort of Bangkok for the electric pace of New York City, where she’ll begin her next chapter as an Animation student at the School of Visual Arts (SVA)—on scholarship. It’s a move that perfectly mirrors her passions: visual storytelling, expressive performance and a lifelong love of all things creative. “Thirteen years… it’s been insane,” Alyssa laughs, still adjusting to the reality that she’s about to leave the only school she’s ever known. “It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. It’s a new chapter.”

Alyssa’s pathway to animation began not in a sketchbook, but in front of a screen. “As a kid, I was really attached to the TV,” she says. “Some shows had these behind-the-scenes features, and I was fascinated by how storyboards turned into moving characters. I remember thinking, I want to do that.” She hasn’t stopped drawing since—whether doodling in the margins at work or creating detailed art on her iPad.

Her artistic instincts took shape in the classroom, too. At IB, she pursued Higher Level Theatre, Visual Arts and English, where she could fully embrace creative expression. In Theatre, her performances left a lasting impression—from the eerie, experimental solo piece inspired by Polish theorist Tadeusz Kantor to her final appearance in Grease, a bittersweet end to nearly a decade of Patana productions. Her resume includes seven shows: Shrek, Hairspray, Peter Pan, Bugsy Malone, The Crucible and more. “I just love performing,” Alyssa says. “Theatre’s the grey area. It’s not black and white. It’s unpredictable, challenging and that’s what I love about it.”

Beyond the spotlight, Alyssa has left her mark as president of PAWS, the animal welfare service club that unexpectedly became a second passion. Originally recruited to draw mascots, she soon found herself leading initiatives like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Trip and a tire-decorating competition that raised awareness (and enrichment) for rescued dogs. “I didn’t expect to love it so much,” she says, beaming. “But it became such a big part of me.” She also volunteered with Foundation Stage children through a CAS project, playing drama games and helping with early math. “They made me feel like a kid again,” she admits. “It was so fun—just joy and simplicity.”

Alyssa credits the Patana arts wing, especially the art technicians’ room, as her second home. “I spent so much time there—lunchtimes, after school—finishing pieces and figuring out lighting for theatre. Kun Kai and Kun Grat were amazing. That space kept me grounded.” She’ll miss her friends, with whom she’s weathered the full storm of the IB, and—unexpectedly—the friendly faces at the snack bar. “They’re so kind.”

Now, with a foot in both worlds—visual arts and performance—Alyssa hopes to keep the drama alive, perhaps as a minor alongside her animation major. After all, Broadway is just a subway ride away. “I love both,” she says. “I don’t want to let either one go.”

For Alyssa, it’s not just about choosing a pathway—it’s about blending her passions into one bold, colorful, expressive life. And from the looks of it, she’s only just begun.

Congratulations Alyssa!