Andrii Vedmid ’26 is a senior Boarding student from Ukraine. Vedmid is very much driven by wholehearted passion and morally-driven boldness. In his time here at Concord Academy, he has been a big advocate for his passions, from co-heading Film Club to Formula 1 Club to Rock Climbing Club. But more than that, he has challenged our institutions, leading an informative assembly on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in his freshman year, serving as a Students for Prevention of Sexual Assault co-head, and providing a strong moral backing to every late-night Bradford common room conversation. Yet Vedmid is just another high schooler trying to make it in this world.
When asked about what makes Vedmid himself, he answered from three lenses. Having been a Cross Country captain this past season, cultivated a long history of rock climbing, participated in two years of wrestling, along with lifting weights and swimming, Vedmid is deeply invested in sports. There is a fulfillment he finds in pushing himself, pushing his physical limits, and breaking through. Along with this, he mentioned his intellectual curiosity. Vedmid participated in a lot of competitive math in his youth and truly found excitement in grasping difficult concepts. It has been hard to do the same sort of math he is so passionate about at CA, but his passion is not gone. But most importantly, he mentions his friends. Vedmid firmly believes that each person is so heavily affected by the people they surround themselves with, so his closest friends are the things that matter most, and the things that influence him the most.
Arriving at the tail end of his time at CA, Vedmid is in an unusual situation. For so long, he has complained about how much he wished he were a senior. Now that he is finally here, I asked him to reconsider that mindset. He responded, “I know I will miss it in some ways. It’s nice to be here; I don’t just want to get out. It’s the disdain for the institution [that causes this want to leave], not for the school and all the great experiences I have had with the people here.”
When asked about his regrets, Vedmid mentions a few things. Having picked up a Voice IMI for the first time this year, he really regrets not doing it earlier. He also regrets never taking an English class with Nancy Boutilier, not doing wrestling his freshman year, and never joining or having the time for some clubs like photography club and the Centipede. It is hard to notice how many resources CA and its community provide, and Vedmid strongly advises us to reconsider what we want to prioritize in our short time here.
When asked about any thoughts he felt needed to be shared with the school, Vedmid responded, “Mate. I dunno, I am pretty outspoken. Anything I feel I need to tell the school, I tell the school.” It is reassuring to know that anything Vedmid wants to say will be said—to know that the necessary constant critique of our shared community will continue. He does hope, though, that the world was nicer, more thoughtful, and more considerate.