My name is Aris Rault, and I am part of the Class of 2029. I was born in Dallas, Texas, but moved to Paris, France when I was 10. My Asian background comes from my mother, who is Taiwanese, and she has undoubtedly been a catalyst for why I am at DKU today. I have lived many different lives, from being homeschooled in my early years to becoming a student athlete in France, swimming 20 hours a week while attending boarding school, and later transferring to an international school in the suburbs of Paris. At every stage, I’ve drawn something distinct: discipline, independence, curiosity, from the environments I’ve been part of. I am not just more open or culturally diverse, a melting pot as some might say, but rather an endless mosaic that I continue to build upon, never forgetting the experiences and memories of the past while constantly adding new perspectives and attitudes.
The Student Leadership Board, to me, represents the heart of student life at DKU. It embodies strong governance, meaningful decision-making, and trust amongst peers. Leader is a special word. It has forsaken a plethora of people, ranging from rulers of countries to tour guides of National Parks. Both leaders, in theory and in practice, have worked their way up to that moment. The word leader traces back to the Latin dux, meaning one who guides or commands. In Rome, a dux was not just a general but a figure of authority and responsibility, a person whose decisions could shape the fate of many. Whether it being as great as Napoleon or intuitive like a tour guide, each leader embodies a sense of responsibility that shapes not only their own path but also the lives of those who follow. The thought of leader has candidly left a resonance of responsibility that kindles a palpitating feeling of reverence. Though I am a freshman, being a part of SLB feels like inheriting, maintaining, and improving a legacy that is hard to compete with, but one in which I am inspired to leave the same. The saying “leave it how you found it” in some way reflects my motivation to join SLB.