We’re incredibly proud of our alumni continuing to reach for the sun and who, in doing so, have become hugely successful in a wide range of fields. From Old Dragons playing for England like Maia Bouchier (OD 2012), and making life-saving apps like Michael Dent (OD 2002), to our Junior Old Dragons making a difference, such as Anya Katanyutanon (OD 2021) who presented her research findings at the World Conference on Public Health (WCPH).
From dreaming of Africa’s highest peak to standing at its summit at sunrise, the latest feature in our Diversity of Dragons series comes from Coco Heyring (OD 2017), whose determination and sense of adventure were nurtured during her time at Dragon. Her journey up Mount Kilimanjaro was about far more than reaching the top. It was a test of resilience, courage and kindness, shaped by the values instilled by teachers and friends along the way. Her story is a reminder that the lessons we learn at school can stay with us for life, helping us reach far beyond what once seemed possible.
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Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro had been a dream of mine for years, and in January, I finally found myself standing at the base of the mountain, about to begin an eight day journey to the roof of Africa.
I took the Lemosho Route, seven days up, one day down, with just one other climber, a girl I met at the hotel the day before we started. We became close almost immediately, and along with our two guides and eight porters, we formed a small team that felt like family. Their warmth and encouragement shaped every step of the climb.
Most of the week felt manageable thanks to the altitude training I’d done through my work at The Altitude Centre, but everything changed above 5,000 metres. Summit night was the hardest moment of all. It was freezing cold; it was getting harder to breathe, and my legs were incredibly tired.
“They believed in me, especially through sport, and taught me not to give up when things got tough and to do what I loved without worrying about those who doubted me. Those lessons stayed with me long after I left school, and they were crucial on the mountain.”
But the best moment came just a few hours later. As the sun began to rise, glowing softly across the horizon, I stepped onto the summit with my group. We had a huge hug with the guides, and I felt a wave of pride and emotion unlike anything I’d experienced before. After seven days of working towards one goal, finally standing there felt surreal, a mixture of relief, joy, and disbelief that a long‑held dream had become real. Looking back at it, it reminds me of the Dragon School motto: Arduus ad Solem: Reach for the sun.
I had always imagined climbing Kilimanjaro with my mum one day, so when the opportunity came through work, it felt like a dream arriving earlier than expected. Even though she couldn’t be there with me, I carried her with me throughout the climb, especially during the toughest moments. Reaching the summit felt even more special knowing that she had inspired the dream in the first place.
I also wanted to challenge myself not just physically, but by travelling on my own and meeting new people along the way. Kilimanjaro pushed me in all the ways I hoped it would, and in a few I didn’t expect.
“Kindness made the mountain feel less daunting and the journey far richer.”
So much of what got me up that mountain came from my time at the Dragon. Teachers like Ma Hatcher, Mr Went, and Ma Baugh shaped my resilience from a young age. They believed in me, especially through sport, and taught me not to give up when things got tough and to do what I loved without worrying about those who doubted me. Those lessons stayed with me long after I left school, and they were crucial on the mountain.
Two Dragon values guided me: Reach for the Sun, and Be Kind, Be Kind, Be Kind. The first gave me the courage to take on the challenge; the second helped me build genuine connections with the people supporting us on the climb. Kindness made the mountain feel less daunting and the journey far richer.
If a younger Dragon asked me why I climbed Kilimanjaro, I’d tell them this: I did it to push myself in a way I hadn’t done before, to meet new people, to learn about a new culture, and to chase my dream of standing on top of Africa’s tallest mountain. And I’d tell them that the spirit of being a Dragon, Curiosity, Courage, Resilience and Kindness, can take you to places you never imagined, even to the top of Africa.
Coco Heyring (OD 2017)
Let us know what you’ve been up to since your Dragon Days, we’d love to share your story.
