Dan’s local coordinator describes him as an engaged, kind, charismatic, and talented young man, who has hit the ground running to take full advantage of the opportunities available during his FLEX program experience. True to form, Dan was so eager to get involved that he auditioned for a school production over Zoom before arriving in the United States! He says, “I tried to be involved in as many activities as I could, and it surely helped.”
Dan goes above and beyond to get involved at his school, Toledo School for the Arts (TSA), where he maintains good grades. As a vocalist and guitarist, Dan performed at the TSA Chorus Concert, had a solo in the TSA musical Anastasia, and was cast in a lead role for the upcoming TSA production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He also joined a student rock band, TSA Pop Combo, which performs at school functions. Dan says his high school is unique due to the “kindness and acceptance of everyone. In there, you don’t have to be someone else, you don’t have to pretend, you can be just you.”
Dan’s involvement does not end at his high school; he has gotten involved extensively in his host community as well, having completed 30 hours of community service. Dan has performed songs in Ukrainian at community events, most recently at the Valentine Theater in Toledo and the 10th anniversary celebration for the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio. Dan also volunteered for the Haunted Glow Trail Event, which raised approximately $7,000 for local charities. A true musician, Dan even plays the guitar and sings for his friends at social events when asked.
Since arriving, and during IEW, Dan has given several presentations on Ukrainian culture and history, about which he is passionate. Dan often wears the traditional Ukrainian festival clothing when he speaks about his culture, and he happily answers questions about his country. He says that the experience has been “pretty easy, since American themselves are pretty interested in Ukraine.”
Dan’s host family describes him as a “natural leader. People are drawn to his cheerful and kind disposition, and his confident demeanor … hosting Dan this year has been a wonderful and delightful experience.”
Congratulations, Dan!
