Mya’s Pathway: A Patana Life Defined by Grit, Grace and Goals

After 16 years at Bangkok Patana School — from Nursery to Year 13 — Mya walks away not just with memories, but with medals, friendships and a purpose.

“I don’t think I’ll ever change my time at Patana. It’s something I’ll forever remember and cherish,” she says, reflecting on a school life that’s been anything but ordinary.

A standout across nearly every field and court imaginable, Mya has been the heart of Patana’s sports scene. A captain in football and softball, vice-captain in basketball and participant in athletics, swimming, gymnastics, dance, touch rugby and more, she’s lived every season to its fullest. Add contact rugby to the list — played outside school — and a selection to Thailand’s Under 18 squad, and the picture becomes even more impressive.

“When I look back, it’ll always be the sports — the training, the trips, the team bonds — that define my time here,” she says. Whether winning SEASAC softball in a nail-biting final or coaching under-11 footballers with quiet leadership and patience, Mya has left her mark as both an athlete and mentor.

But beneath the fierce competitor is a calm, thoughtful future educator. With offers from five UK universities to study Early Years Education and her eyes set on University of Sussex, she’s charting a new path — one where she hopes to inspire the next generation with the same sense of community, encouragement and opportunity she received.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” she says, pulling out a letter she wrote in Year 7: ‘Do you still want to be a teacher?’ The answer, it turns out, is a proud and resounding yes.

Whether volunteering with Primary School sports, interning in the UK, or supporting Thai orphanages through student-led CAS projects, Mya has spent as much time nurturing others as she has building herself. Her vision? To become the kind of educator who creates safe, empowering spaces — just like the one she’s leaving.

As she prepares for university life, there’s a touch of nostalgia — and humour. “It’s a Tuesday. This will be my last bowl of noodles,” she laughs, “But I think what I’ll really miss is the atmosphere. This place has always felt like home.”

From sports queen to future classroom hero, Mya’s pathway is a testament to balance — fierce passion, grounded kindness, and the courage to say yes.