We recently become aware of the amazing individuality here at West. Noticing that everyone has a story that most of the time goes untold. We decided to speak with different students to find out a little more about them, and what exactly their “story” consists of.

First we spoke with Junior Dom Allen, someone who is very opinionated, and some could even call philosophical.

He described his childhood as something most people would not find desirable. He has always been very strong in what he believes, but when he was younger not everyone could appreciate that. The way in which he explained his childhood was upsetting. He told of times when he would be bullied, and often isolated.

“The one who follows the crowd usually gets no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” Allen said.

His childhood was not always bad though. He grew up as an only child causing him to be around adults, in which he developed a more complex thought process from an early age. Allen enjoyed reading and doing things to expand his mind.

Due to his childhood experiences he has never quite considered his life “normal”, and tries to see things from other people’s perspective.

“Normal is an illusion, what’s normal for the spider, is chaos for the fly.” Allen said.

He also received a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

As time has gone on he’s put his days of being bullied behind him to better himself. He likes to keep a “tight circle” of friends though. “Keep a small circle, don’t confuse the caring with the curious.” Allen said.