After graduating from Newcastle Grammar School in 2023, Kalen moved to Sydney to work on his rowing and prepare for the academic rigour rquired at a prestigious, competitive US university. He applied for Stanford University in California USA towards the end of 2024 and met with their rowing coaches. Soon after he received his formal acceptance.

Kalen plans to spend fours years studying and rowing during the university semesters, and to travel as much of the USA as he can while based there.

Kalen was a part of the Supporting Athlete Performance (SAP) program at NGS, where student athletes are encouraged to pursue excellence in academics alongside their chosen sport. With mentorship, a flexible timetable to allow for extra training, health and wellbeing programs and academic assistance, the SAP program is aimed at assisting students like Kalen.

He recently wrote to thank the academic, sporting and SAP staff, "Thank you for all your help and support throughout our shared time at Grammar and the SAP program. I would never have been able to do it without your consistent support and patience. You have my sincere gratitude!"

Well done Kalen. We wish you every success on this exciting adventure.