High School Spotlight: October Bartlett

Howdy, my name is October Bartlett, Toby for short. Homeschooling has always been a huge part of my life. It’s opened up so many opportunities for me to pursue my interests and become a well-rounded person. Because I’m able to do my work at my own pace, I’ve been able to travel outside of America on multiple occasions, earn my black belt in taekwondo, and most importantly, learn how to play the violin. I’ve been playing for almost 6 years now and nothing brings me more joy than being able to play my favorite classical pieces. Some of my favorite classical composers are Antonio Vivaldi, Camille Saint-Saëns, Antonín Dvořák, and Carl Dittersdorf. I’ve been with my string orchestra for about four years, where I’ve worked my way up to play first violin.

My experiences traveling to Scotland, Germany, and Kenya have inspired me to go out and learn more about the world. I hope to one day travel abroad to learn more about different cultures and play with an international orchestra. Music and traveling are huge interests of mine; however, I hope to pursue a career in the medical field. Taking care of one’s mental health is so important and I want to be able to help people through clinical psychology.

I’ve only been with iLEAD for a couple of years and yet I’ve been able to meet many incredible people. I’ve had the honor of being in ASB for two years, where I’ve helped plan school events such as game and movie days, as well as establishing three clubs (Gaming Club, Music Club, and LGBTQ+ Club). It’s been amazing to be a part of these great communities. iLEAD and homeschooling have allowed me to focus on things that bring joy and positivity into my life. I can’t wait to see where the future takes me.

We are excited for your future too, October. Thank you for the many ways you have contributed to our program!