Clad in his Charlotte Amalie High School uniform, with faded black Converse All Stars on his feet and iPod in hand, there’s nothing much that would distinguish Byron Todman Jr. from any other 16-year-old on island.
But appearances can be deceiving, because as soon as he opens his mouth, it’s quite easy to tell that Todman is in a class of his own. Aside from his intelligence, there’s a reserve in him that speaks of a sense of maturity beyond his years, and an eagerness – almost a hunger – to stand out. Todman has big dreams, and after spending his entire high school career laying the ground work for them, the recent CAHS graduate is ready to hit the ground running at Vassar College come September.
Like most of the things he does, Todman’s college pick was strategic. Vassar, he said recently, allows him to get the solid education he needs for a career in constitutional law, but also gives him access to the bright lights of New York City, where he can put his background in theater and music to good use.
Todman’s interest in drama was piqued in middle school with a performance in "Queen Coziah" – the nationally recognized piece by local playwright Eddie Donoghue – and carried through to high school, with a role in "Jesus Christ Superstar." Asked if he’s ready to study all the singing and dancing that goes along with a major in drama, Todman immediately grinned and nodded his head.
"I definitely want to get in some Broadway," he said. "I can’t wait."
Todman said that from a young age, acting was a creative outlet that allowed him to vent some of the frustrations he was feeling in school.
"High school definitely isn’t what it’s shown to be in the television shows or the movies," he said. "It’s rough. So, this is how I express myself, this is what sometimes helps me escape what’s going on."
The same goes for music, a talent Todman has also honed since his early years at E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary. And while most teens his age may wind down after a long week with some hours in front of the Playstation console, Todman said that he reaches for the one thing he says has always given him solace: the piano.
While he doesn’t credit himself with being a musician, Todman also plays the flute, clarinet and steel pan – extra curricular activities, he explained, that have also helped him click and find a common ground with students outside his school. His list of activities also includes Graffiti Street, the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, CAHS’ marching and symphonic bands and most recently, the territorial moot court competition, where he helped his school’s team pick up another win.
Todman said while his heart used to be set on being a doctor, his time in moot court helped push him toward a path in constitutional law, as he and his teammates argued against the implementation of a hypothetical student search policy by the V.I. Board of Education. Todman said he personally agrees with the team’s argument that such a policy would violate a student’s fourth amendment rights.
"A policy like that is overly intrusive and not reasonable at all," Todman said, channeling the authoritative tone of his mother, attorney Julie Todman, a local public defender. Relaxing for a minute, Todman credited his mother with being a great inspiration to him and said that he "loved to see her work" in the courtroom.
"She does some amazing things up there," he added.
Todman said one of his greatest accomplishments was being named the second best orator in the moot court competition, and also credited his father with giving him the support and confidence to get up there and do his best.
"My father, he’s really, really quiet," Todman said. "But when he speaks, it’s something completely different. People listen, and that’s so inspiring to me. It makes me want to have the same kind of impact in whatever it is that I do."
With the school year at an end and college just around the corner, Todman is once again going about the normal teenage business of getting a summer job and spending some last-minute time with friends. But in his heart, he’s already picking his classes and envisioning the train rides into the city that will play host to a multitude of new and eye-opening experiences.
Asked where he sees himself in six years, Todman said probably law school, but mentioned, softly, another dream of traveling the world.
"If there’s once place, one place that I have to get back to, it’s Venice," he said, explaining that his family took a vacation to Italy last year. "The people are so friendly, so welcoming and it is just so beautiful. There’s no picture in the world that can do it justice."
