Laurel Springs School student Ayden Acher is a baseball catcher who enjoys traveling, fishing, and being with family.

Just finishing up 8th grade, he’s headed to Upper School next year and has high hopes to play NCAA baseball post-graduation. Here’s what he’s up to in the meantime!

Baseball takes the cake

Ayden describes himself as a big sports fan. He’s played soccer, tennis, and football, but baseball takes the cake as his favorite by far.

He began playing the sport a year and a half ago, stating that he’s following in his father’s footsteps who played in college.

“My dad always wanted to be a catcher, but he was a lefty,” comments Ayden, “It was always his dream for me to be one.”

Ayden made the decision to put a halt to playing football in order to prevent any potential injuries for his baseball career—a serious commitment for a sports fanatic like him!

He mentions he has high hopes to play baseball at Boston College one day; he’s been to a few of their games and knows the coaches and players.

Next year, he can begin working towards NCAA eligibility with Laurel Springs’ NCAA-approved courses and guidance from our placement management counselors.

Ayden Acher’s fin-tastic interests

As Ayden wraps up his 8th-grade year, he says he’s looking forward to doing more social activities in Upper School, but for now, baseball keeps him pretty busy.

He has several days full of practice and training and often travels for tournaments. He enjoys traveling down south with his “favorite people”.

He expresses, “Hotels are fun. After games, we always have activities like going go-karting, fishing, or to the beach.”

Fishing is actually one of his favorite hobbies, and he wishes he could do it more often.

“I’ve always enjoyed fishing since I was very young. It has stuck with me,” he says, “I can sit on a dock for hours.”

The journey to Laurel Springs School

Ayden joined Laurel Springs just last year, and despite not being “a computer guy”, Ayden has learned to adjust.

“I never thought in a million years that I could just sit down at a computer and get schoolwork done.”

He shares, “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do half of what I’ve done this year. Laurel Springs made it much easier for me.”

Laurel Springs’ striking difference between his previous school is  the self-paced, mastery-based learning model. Not only does it provide him the flexibility to train, but Ayden gets to learn on his timing.

He states, “Since it’s at my own pace, I can actually learn the material. I have the time to both learn it and remember it.”

Avenues of support with Laurel Springs and A Traveling Teacher

With the help of Laurel Springs teachers, counselors, and partner, A Traveling Teacher, Ayden has had a successful academic year at Laurel Springs.

A Traveling Teacher offers remote tutoring services tailored to building the confidence of students and helping them attain the academic goals they set for themselves.

Ayden says, “I owe a lot to them. They’ve helped me with organizational skills, time management, and learning everything I missed out on during the COVID year.”

Peter Panopoulus, the founder of A Traveling Teacher, gives Ayden props, saying,  “Ayden is a hard-working student who has a big passion for the outdoors and baseball, but an even bigger passion for helping those around him. I cannot say how proud I am to see Ayden selflessly assist those around him any time he possibly can. Working with Ayden and his family has been a breath of fresh air, as they exhibit values that very much align with my own in both life and education.”

Ayden has four more years ahead of him, and there’s no doubt he’s going to continue growing and accomplishing his goals.

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