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Matt Koff ‘21

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Matt Koff ‘21

 

  • What grade are you currently in and how long have you been a student at Bullis?
  • I am in 12th grade. I came to Bullis in 8th grade, so this is my fifth year.

  • What classes have you most enjoyed at Bullis and why?
  • AP Calculus AB with Ms. Roshan
    Ms. Roshan is really knowledgeable about the intersection of technology and education, and how that can be used in the classroom. She used online resources to help us further understand what was happening. She encouraged us to ask questions and be fearless when it came to failure. She wanted us to embrace our mistakes, because she knows that you can't get better at anything without making and understanding mistakes you've made. She also built her class in a way that was challenging, but manageable, and after the year I felt like I understood calculus to a level I could not have imagined.

    AP French with Mr. Kutner
    This was probably the most rigorous class I've ever taken, but my French ability increased astronomically. We did so much speaking and writing that when the AP exam arrived I felt confident in my ability. But I knew we weren't just learning to get a good grade; in understanding French culture and history, I was able to think more about the nature of humankind and my role in the world. I was challenged to rethink what I had learned in previous history classes and fully engage in discussions about France. We very much used the stories of France as a microcosm for the world, and I am so grateful for everything I learned in AP French.

  • What activities do you participate in at Bullis?
  • Boys Varsity Soccer, Student Government Association (Representative in 11th grade, SGA Co-President in 12th grade), Peer Mentors, Student Ambassadors, Junior Ambassadors, National Honors Society, Director of Virtual Tutoring for Bullis Student Tutors, Co-President of UNICEF Club, Community Service Team, Member of the International Thespian Society, Ed in 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" (online 2020 Spring Play), Candidate for the Student-of-the-Year Campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in 2019, 2020-2021 Co-Chair of the Junior Leadership Team for LLS.

  • What do you like most about the Bullis community?
  • I appreciate how welcoming and bright the Bullis community is. Every day when I walk from class to class, I see so many people happy to be at Bullis. Everyone who is at Bullis wants to be at Bullis, and you can feel that energy emanating through the campus. Whenever you try something new or join a new club or group, there is so much warmth and welcoming by everyone. We are a community that collaborates to make Bullis a better place and to feel encouraged to be better and work harder. I am really inspired by the efforts of my peers to work hard and live my life the Bullis Way.

  • What are you most passionate about and why?
  • I am most passionate about helping people. I desire to make my communities and the world a better place than I found it. I believe the way I can do this is by making those around me feel better and provide any assistance they need. Whether it is volunteering at a shelter with the Community Service Team, encouraging my teammates on the soccer field, and working with my peers on a difficult assignment in the classroom, I want to make sure everyone's voice feels welcomed and appreciated. One way for a group of people to really come together is to listen and understand each other's stories. I truly believe that anything can be accomplished if we work together, and I think by being that person who can be a catalyst for this appreciation and kindness, I can be a part of a group doing something incredible.

  • What global challenge would you like to see tackled and how do you see yourself contributing to the positive change that you desire?
  • The global challenge I would like to see tackled are the ongoing systems of racism, oppression, and abuse of People of Color that pervade every aspect of life and every corner of the Earth. Following the huge wave of Black Lives Matter protests that have been continuing since May, I have been hugely inspired by my generation and the generations before me that are fighting for systemic change. People are frustrated by the lack of change, and are demanding that something happens to shift how our system works. I see myself contributing to the positive change that I desire by devoting my life to fighting for the changes our country and our government need to ensure we are protecting all citizens equally. I truly believe that we can fix these oppressive systems through our government policies and workings, and I am excited to work for this change. It will be hard and long to get this country and this world to a place where ALL human beings are given the same unalienable rights, but I know it can happen.

  • Why Bullis?
  • I think Bullis is truly a place where you can explore whatever you're interested in and understand your passions. Over the past five years, I have delved deep into many different aspects of Bullis. I have been able to explore my interests in academics, arts, athletics, and leadership without any worries about being judged for trying new things or being too overwhelmed.  Bullis has given me so many opportunities to explore and, in doing this exploration, I think I have developed a deep sense of self and I now understand who I am. Because of the different people I've met, activities I've participated in, and experiences I've gained, I know who I am and who I want to be in my life. If I spent my five years anywhere else, I'm not sure I would have been able to discover myself as much as I have at Bullis. I am truly grateful for the lessons I have learned at Bullis about who I am, and I am extremely excited to carry on these lessons as I enter the next chapters of my life and work to change the world.

  • Alumni
  • Class of 2021