Wycombe Abbey is proud to celebrate the diverse talents and ambitions of its pupils. In recent weeks, three remarkable girls have achieved outstanding success across very different fields: charity and sport, performing arts, and innovative technology.
Tahlia: Combining Sporting Excellence with Philanthropy
LVI (Year 12) pupil Tahlia recently combined competitive tennis with an inspiring act of kindness. While competing in two ITF tournaments in Nairobi, Kenya, and Lagos, Nigeria, she reached the second round in singles and doubles in Kenya and advanced to the singles second round and doubles quarterfinals in Lagos. Alongside her sporting achievements, Tahlia launched Pair It Forward, an initiative inspired by her observation that many talented local players were competing in worn-out or borrowed trainers.
Determined to make a difference, Tahlia raised £1,440, purchased new trainers, and personally delivered them during her trip. In Nairobi, she partnered with the Tennis Kenya Federation to distribute 32 pairs of trainers to junior players, including Kenya’s top U16 and U18 players. In Lagos, she handed out 40 pairs, gaining national attention with coverage on Nigerian television, Lagos State TV, and in national newspapers. Officials from the Nigeria Tennis Federation praised her efforts, and her parents described the experience as “deeply moving.” Tahlia plans to continue expanding Pair It Forward and sending additional shoes to players she could not reach.
Remi: A Debut at the Royal Opera House
LIV (Year 8) pupil Remi recently made her debut at the Royal Opera House, performing in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Her performance earned glowing reviews from leading publications:
“The Three Boys boasted exceptional intonation and angelic tone.” – The Guardian
“The Three Boys are sung here by children who are clearly very well prepared, since their performance shows not the slightest flaw in coordination or rhythmic precision.” – Forum Opéra
Remi worked closely with renowned conductor Marie Jacquot and leading performers, including Kathryn Lewek, considered one of the greatest Queens of the Night, and Huw Montague Rendall, a Gramophone Award winner. Reflecting on the experience, Remi shared her fascination with the teamwork behind a major production, from the costume department’s meticulous tailoring to the set department’s engineering of moving scenery. She also revealed the greatest lesson she learned: “Perfection isn’t the goal. We aim to do our best, and what truly matters is staying in the moment, performing with confidence, and giving the audience the best experience we can.”
Sofia: Inspiring Innovation in STEM
Since joining Teens in AI at age 11, Sofia has become an inspiring figure in STEM. She has participated in international hackathons and the AI4Good Summer Incubator, working on projects addressing climate change and sustainability. Following the programme, she launched Mathletico, an app designed to make mathematics engaging and accessible for young learners.
Sofia has completed advanced courses in signal processing and image processing, demonstrating exceptional perseverance. Her leadership within the community continues to grow through initiatives such as the ten-day Python Challenge, which attracted nearly 20,000 views, and the upcoming Figma Challenge to promote digital design skills. Her achievements have also been recognised nationally, including an invitation to the Oxford University Computational Challenge prize ceremony. As the Founder and CEO of Teens in AI noted: “Sofia is a role model for girls in STEM, combining talent with courage and inspiring others to take on ambitious challenges.”
These achievements reflect the exceptional range of talent within our school community at Wycombe Abbey, where we champion determination and service. We are immensely proud of Tahlia, Remi, and Sofia.
Categories: School News Wycombe Abbey
