When you first meet Drew Riehle, a 6th-grade student at The Academy at Laurel Springs, he is excited to share more about his unique passions and interests – Greek Mythology, fostering and caring for animals, horse riding and driving, and writing, to name a few. However, as your conversation continues, even more layers unfold! Drew is not only an incredibly intelligent individual with diversified passions, he’s last November’s winner of the National Academy Driving Championship, an ambitious learner with a sincere spirit of curiosity, and someone who is mature well beyond his years.

Mastering the Art of Horse Driving
Drew’s recent triumph at the National Academy Driving Championship is a story of skill and precision. “You know how in cowboy movies they have the reins and ride really fast?” he asks. “Well, there are actually 4 speeds of horses (walking, trotting, cantering, galloping). In the world of driving, you’re focused on walking and trotting.” The unique sport requires a blend of finesse and partnership between horse and driver (something Drew has mastered beautifully). It’s less about speed and more about accuracy, the ability to navigate obstacles, and the smoothness of the horse’s movements. “Horse driving feels a bit more like a show or performance,” he continues. “In the competition, I was judged on things like how I sat while driving, how I maneuvered my horse, how well the horse trotted.”

Drew’s success in the championship displays his dedication and ability to harmonize with animals. The mutual understanding between Drew and his horse transformed their routine into an art form – something that could be showcased, performed, and proved captivating for judges and audience members alike. “Right now, we’re in off season for training,” he mentions, “But we’ll start back up in March!” Today, Drew continues riding 4x a week at High Caliber Stables, his training facility in North Carolina.

A True Animal Lover at Heart
Drew’s love for animals extends far beyond riding and driving. “I have a lizard named Shila, a leopard gecko that I got for my 10th birthday,” he shares with a smile. “Sometimes I take her around the house to explore because I’ve read that lizards like to get to know the area they live in.” He credits his mom, founder of the Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network, for teaching him how to love and care for animals of all kinds. From fostering various species to caring for his own pets – including dogs, horses, fish and a blue/gold Macaw, Drew’s life is rich with animal companionship!

Finding the Right Fit
At Laurel Springs, Drew has found the perfect environment to nurture his deep love for learning, creative expression, and outside passions. When asked how his 6th-grade year is going, Drew responds with excitement about the flexibility of his school work and the essay on dragons and Greek Mythology that he’s working on. “I really like studying dragons, dinosaurs, and flying dragons, or drakes,” he shares. “I also really like to write. One day, I’d like to be an author!”

Drew’s mom, Lauren Riehle, chimes in. “We struggled to find a brick-and-mortar school that felt right. Although adjusting to the online environment required a shift in time-management skills and self-discipline, Drew is thriving at Laurel Springs.” She continues, “Also, and I’m not just saying this, the teachers and staff are amazing. They are so appreciative of Drew’s perspectives and takes on things. We really feel like The Academy at Laurel Springs approaches the whole child, all their interests, and pushes Drew in the areas where he needs it most.”

Drew’s imaginative and intellectual spirit isn’t just thriving; it’s soaring. He shares that he’s currently writing a book about a zookeeper who is given 100 days to build a new zoo, with tigers and cobras being the star attractions. But his creativity isn’t confined to storytelling and essay writing. “I’m going to do theater this spring,” he says with excitement. His recent involvement in a student-driven 25-hour play concept at a camp illustrates his diverse talents – every element of the play’s design and production was a result of the creativity and dedication of young minds like his.

Passion and Discovery at Play
It’s not just Drew’s range of interests that’s remarkable, but also the palpable joy that he feels when sharing about each of them. Whether he’s recounting the tales of ancient Greek heroes, discussing the intricate details of caring for his pets and fostered animals, or explaining his spring training strategy for horse driving, Drew brings a level of enthusiasm and knowledge that is both rare for his age, and inspiring. His story is a wonderful example of how young minds thrive on exploration and discovery; and, when given the proper environment to invest in their passions, they can flourish beyond expectations.

Learn more about The Academy at Laurel Springs School or join us for a Virtual Open House.

Share on social media