Melis Huda Kaya ’25 from Turkey, the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 at TASIS, has chosen to pursue a degree in Medicine at the prestigious University of St Andrews, selecting it over offers from the University of Aberdeen and Brunel University of London. Her long-term ambition is to specialize as either an OBGYN or an orthopedic surgeon. Melis concluded her five-year journey at TASIS with exceptional distinction, earning three major Graduation Awards: the Valedictorian Award, the H. Miller Crist Award—the highest honor bestowed by the TASIS faculty upon a single senior—and the Excellence in Science Award. Her academic prowess was further demonstrated by achieving an outstanding 41 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program, scoring a 4 on the AP European History exam in grade 10, and being inducted into the school's Cum Laude Society chapter. Beyond her academic commitments, Melis was an actively engaged member of the school community. She served as a prefect in the High School dormitories during her final two years, chaired a committee for the Model UN team's participation in the prestigious THIMUN conference in The Hague, performed piano at an exceptional level, and competed on the Varsity Soccer, Swimming, and Track & Field teams. Her linguistic abilities are also notable, as she is trilingual in English, Turkish, and Italian. Reflecting on her preparedness for university, Melis credits the rigorous IB program for teaching her vital skills such as time management, combating procrastination, and maintaining a healthy balance between her academic and personal life. She also emphasized the invaluable support from the College Counseling Office, particularly in refining her personal statement and conducting mock interviews that authentically simulated the conditions for medical school admissions.
When asked about her most inspiring experiences at TASIS, Melis highlighted her two-year role as a prefect, which she described as an opportunity to become an 'older sister' to younger students. She cherished the deep connections formed, stating that talking, empathizing, and having fun with her dormitory girls was one of the most rewarding aspects of her time at the school and made her a better person. Another profoundly impactful experience was her Global Service Program (GSP) trip to Zambia. The journey brought her group closer together, and her favorite memory was interacting with the local children. She was particularly moved by their constant joy and smiles despite having fewer opportunities, which served as a powerful lesson in gratitude and perspective. Academically, Melis will remember her biology class most fondly, noting that despite being one of the smallest classes with just five students, it was filled with laughter. The teacher she will cherish most is Ms. Rosenberger, whom she described as 'if sunshine were a person.' Melis expressed immense gratitude for Ms. Rosenberger's unwavering support over her final two years. Above all, Melis believes she will miss the people the most. The post-graduation period brought a sense of loneliness, underscoring the value of the friendships forged at TASIS. She reflected that a strong friendship is hard to find, but once you 'find your people, that bond is unbreakable,' and she will forever treasure the fond memories created with them.
