The reason I chose to come to Thayer in 8th grade was because you can do absolutely everything here. You can be an athlete, an AP student, an actor, a peer advisor, or a club president; you can play in a jazz combo and so much more. While the schedule can be demanding, it allows you to take advantage of every single opportunity that Thayer presents. I’ve also found that the teachers and coaches encourage all of the other activities you do and provide you the support to thrive in every extracurricular, not just the ones they run.

I’ll study biochemistry / molecular biology at Colgate University. My passion for this subject started in AP Chemistry and AP Biology and was enriched during my experience at Boston University’s Center for Regenerative Medicine in the Vanuytsel Lab.

AP Chemistry with Mr. Donovan was my favorite class at Thayer and also the most difficult one. The format was very similar to a college curriculum, with a ton of content to cover. Instead of nightly homework, the majority of our grade consisted of weekly or monthly problem sets called “Webassigns.” For the two months leading up to the AP exam, Mr. Donovan hosted review sessions twice a week before school, and by the time the test approached, I felt confident in the material, no matter how challenging.

I am currently working at a pediatric speech, occupational, and mental health therapy clinic in Quincy, where I assist in a therapy group for girls with anxiety.

Thayer had definitely encouraged me to be independent, but I always knew that there was a huge support system that I could lean on if I needed help. Thayer also really encourages and destigmatizes extra help, so I’ve never been afraid to ask to meet with a teacher.

Either Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, or Whiplash.

During the time leading up to the AP Calculus AB exam, Mr. Cedrone hosted daily review sessions. When I emailed him saying that I couldn’t attend any because of my senior project schedule, he sent me a page-long email with all of his work for the questions they were reviewing along with a super-in-depth explanation. It was so special to see that he was still so committed to his students, even as they were leaving Thayer.

Mrs. Woods was my #1 supporter throughout the college process, and she was so knowledgeable about every step of the application. I was always amazed at her near-instant response to my never-ending chain of emails (even when I sent them after midnight).

My dad has inspired my love for learning and fostered my passion for equity and inclusion. I could not ask for a better model of incredible mentorship and hard work.

I joined jazz combo a few months into my freshman year and it became one of my favorite classes. It’s such a unique program that made me a much stronger musician. It also taught me valuable lessons about teamwork and collaboration.

Probably “Heart of Glass” by Blondie.

From a relief from homework during Tech Week to letting us go from practice early for the jazz combo concerts, the adults in the Thayer community have supported me in countless ways.

Although this isn’t technically a tradition, I love seeing everyone play Spikeball on the Teardrop in the last weeks of school.