Rebecca Cho | Elite US Foil Fencer & Aeon Student-Athlete
We recently sat down with Rebecca Cho, an Aeon student-athlete in the Class of 2027 from New Jersey who represents the United States in foil fencing.
Rebecca has been fencing for more than 10 years. What started with a local fencing club near her home has grown into a high-level athletic path defined by discipline, travel, and constant improvement.
“I really love being able to practice and get better every day. It really motivates me to work hard.”
Finding the Right Academic Fit
Before Aeon, Rebecca attended a Catholic high school. As her fencing schedule intensified, balancing travel, training, and school became increasingly difficult. Frequent absences added stress, and she needed a school that could support her athletic goals without compromising academics.
“With all the traveling, it was really hard to manage all my work.”
Aeon gave Rebecca the flexibility to train and compete at the highest level while staying fully engaged in school.
“I think it’s really helped me a lot, because after transitioning, I’ve gotten better results, and I’m more mentally able to put my all into fencing.”
A Life Built Around Elite Competition
When Rebecca is home, her days are highly structured. She often starts with schoolwork and planning, then heads to practice in the afternoon for lessons, conditioning, and group training.
When she travels for tournaments, Aeon allows her to plan ahead and manage her workload in a way that protects her focus during competition.
Her accomplishments reflect years of commitment. Rebecca has been part of the Cadet World Championships team, medaled multiple times at national events, competed internationally at the junior and senior levels, and has already been recruited to a college program.
“My biggest accomplishments would just be the process I had to go through to be the person I am today.”
Support That Makes the Difference
A major part of Rebecca’s Aeon experience has been the support of her dean.
“I don’t think I would be able to handle it on my own if it weren’t for her.”
Together, they build schedules that help Rebecca manage school whether she is home or traveling. That personalized support gives her both structure and confidence.
Flexibility With Real Academic Challenge
Rebecca is clear that Aeon is not simply an easier option. The academic model is different, project-based, and challenging in a new way.
“When I first transitioned, it was challenging to get used to the type of work because it actually made me explore and learn vs memorize.”
Over time, Aeon helped her become more independent, more comfortable asking for help, and more connected with her teachers. She has also enjoyed exploring new subjects, including a coding project that introduced her to something she had never done before.
A Connected Community
Even in an online model, Rebecca has built meaningful friendships through Aeon. During her cohort experience, she connected with classmates through live classes and book discussions, and she still stays in touch with friends she made there.
“I’ve made quite a few friends through book club discussions and classes.”
For Rebecca, being surrounded by motivated students from around the world has made the experience even stronger.
Looking Ahead
Rebecca’s goals are ambitious. She hopes to continue fencing in college, compete internationally, and one day pursue the Olympic stage. Academically, she is interested in psychology.
She also wants people to know that success in fencing is not just about talent.
“I think a lot of people assume getting to this level, you just have to have the talent. But actually, it’s definitely not that.”
Her journey has required years of work, sacrifice, resilience, and support from her family.
The Aeon Model in Action
For Rebecca, Aeon has created the space to pursue fencing at the highest level while continuing to grow as a student and person.
When asked to finish the sentence “Because of Aeon, I can,” Rebecca answered:
“Be the person who I am today.”
That is the Aeon model in action: giving driven students the flexibility, rigor, and support to pursue excellence without having to choose between their education and their dreams.
If you're a student-athlete looking for a school that can keep up with your training schedule — or a parent trying to find the right academic fit — explore how Aeon supports student-athletes or start the application process.