-by Geena Mahler, Communications Intern
A day in the life of an average high school sophomore usually consists of school, athletics, the occasional extracurricular activity and hanging out with friends. This just isn't the case for 
sophomore Drew Bostwick. Some people may know Drew from water polo or the swim team, or even from playing the xylophone in Loyola's concert band, but many may not know about the other notable things he is involved in.
Since the age of seven, Drew has been a member of the television show Aqua Kids, and has just recently worked his way up to co-host the show. Aqua Kids is a show that motivates kids to take an active role in protecting and preserving our marine environment. The mission of Aqua Kids is to explore, act and protect marine life and habitat around the United States. Since its start in 2000, the show has received two Emmys and seven Telly Awards.
As if co-hosting an Emmy-winning television show isn't enough, Drew is also the drummer for Baltimore-based band All Rights Reserved with fellow Dons Andrew Vendelis ’16 and Danny Vinton ‘16. They started the band right here at Loyola Blakefield and began playing gigs at the 8x10 and the Recher Theatre before it closed. They even had a chance to play at the Hard Rock Café downtown. Their fanbase continues to grow rapidly beyond Baltimore and they continue to record songs with hopes of becoming well known in the industry. In his "spare" time, Drew takes vocal, drum and bass lessons.
We sat down with Drew to get some more information about his involvement at Loyola Blakefield and beyond.
How did you first get involved with Aqua Kids?
My mom has always been a family friend of the producer, George Stover, and he’s been doing the show for a long time. Since I was a baby, I did commercials for him and when I was seven, he asked me if I wanted to be part of the show. Of course I said yes, and I started out with small roles, occasionally served as a guest member and over the years I worked my way up and finally started hosting last year. Now I co-host with another member of the show and it’s really great to be a part of.
What was the most rewarding experience you had with helping marine life on the show?
There have been so many great things that I’ve been a part of on the show, including releasing rehabilitated sea turtles at Topsail Beach in North Carolina this past year. However, the most rewarding experience for me was when we spent two weeks in Alaska last summer roughing it in the wilderness. It was such a gratifying opportunity to get to know the cast better and it was such a rewarding experience that will always stand out in my mind.
How did you and your friends get together to start All Rights Reserved?
Andrew Vendelis, the guitarist, and I knew each other before coming to Loyola. Andrew came
up with the idea to start the band. He came to me one day and said, “Well you play drums, I play guitar and I know someone who plays bass, Danny Vinton. Would you guys want to meet up and play a song or maybe start a band?” After that, we got together, taught ourselves a couple of songs, and soon became known as All Rights Reserved, paying homage to Andrew's original Rock Band name. Our involvement with the band escalated quickly and became more serious. We were learning song after song after song, gaining popularity around the Loyola community and eventually in 8th grade we started branching out.
What bands/musicians influence the type of music you play?
Our influences range from classic rock to new wave pop funk. It's a pretty wide blend. If I had to nail it down to a few bands, I'd say Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy, The Beatles and the Foo Fighters. We have a unique sound that you'll just have to hear for yourself.
What has been your most exciting show so far?
It was such a blessing to be able to play at The Recher Theatre before it closed. Also, George Stover is pretty high ranking in Boy Scouting; he entered us for a Battle of the Bands competition for the Boy Scouts Camporee at Oregon Ridge Park. We ended up playing for more than 5,000 people and we tied for first, winning six hours of recording time at Sheffield in Jacksonville where many high profile artists have recorded, such as Mariah Carey. So we got to record a couple of songs there and then our parents stepped in and paid for a full session and we were able to record our entire first album there.
Has what you’re doing with Aqua Kids impacted you to pursue environmental science or something along that path?
I do have a passion for science, as well as history, but music has always been my main passion. Actually, I have always been looking towards something with Public Relations since my mom did radio with WBAL. Radio and music has always been in my family, which has played a huge role in my performing abilities and helps me connect with the crowd on a more intimate level.
Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
Music is where I hope to see myself. As of this year, we are really starting to take off in the Baltimore area. We have been picked up by two promoters who are trying to get us a show at the Rams Head Live as well as other venues. 98Rock is sponsoring an event at the Fish Head Cantina that want us to perform at and a lot of important people will be there, so that will help us get recognized by outsiders.
What do you love most about Loyola?
Well, definitely the challenging academic and athletics programs here, but what I love the most is this sense of brotherhood between all of the students at Blakefield. We take care of our own and support each other in whatever we want to do.
Anything else you want to add?
I really enjoy all of the extracurriculars that I am part of and I am so grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Loyola and the friends I've made. I’m also very fortunate to be a part of a national television show that works with marine biology and helps preserve the environment. I am so honored to be a part of a band that plays shows all over Baltimore and hopefully we’ll make it one day. Please check out All Rights Reserved at ARRrocks.com and like us on Facebook. You can also listen to us on Reverb Nation.