Cassidy Mullin

What makes Thayer unique is its sense of community. The relationships between students and faculty go far beyond the classroom, and I think every student has at least one teacher they know they can turn to for advice, support, or simply a conversation. I have gone to teachers not only with academic questions, but also with challenges in my personal life, and they have always been there for me. Thayer also creates countless opportunities for students of different grades to connect through sports, clubs, and other activities, which has allowed me to build friendships across the entire school. The result is a community where people genuinely care about one another and want to see each other succeed. There isn’t a corner you can turn at Thayer where you won’t see another face smiling back at you!

At Brown University, I will study Health and Human Biology while taking Computer Science courses on the pre-med track through the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), an eight-year combined undergraduate and medical degree program. My passion for medicine was inspired by my father’s battle with stage four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the life-saving treatments that gave him a second chance. Watching how innovative therapies transformed his prognosis showed me the powerful impact of medical research and patient care. That experience motivated me to pursue a career in medicine, and I hope to specialize in radiology, where I can combine science, technology, and compassionate care to help patients and their families.

The class that challenged me the most was AP Calculus BC with Ms. Farnham during my senior year. From the very beginning, I struggled with limits and did not do well on the summer work test, which was heavily focused on that topic. Throughout the year, some units clicked for me while others left me completely confused, making the class feel like a roller coaster. However, Ms. Farnham was always willing to provide extra help and support, which encouraged me to keep working through the difficult concepts. In the end, I learned that perseverance matters just as much as understanding everything right away, and I can proudly say I finished in the top five of the class, even if there were only five of us!

Thayer has prepared me for success not only by providing a strong academic foundation, but also by helping me become a confident communicator and leader. Through Student Government, leading clubs such as Girls Learning Advanced Math and Coding Club, and working closely with both students and faculty, I learned how to collaborate with others, organize initiatives, and advocate for ideas I believe in. Thayer’s emphasis on discussion, presentations, and public speaking pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me how to express my thoughts clearly and confidently. These experiences have strengthened my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. More than anything, Thayer taught me that communication is one of the most valuable skills a person can have, and it is a skill I will carry with me through the rest of my life.

If I had to pick one movie, it would definitely be Beauty and the Beast, specifically the live-action version. There is something about the music that makes it impossible for me not to sing along, despite the fact that my singing ability is questionable at best and probably a threat to my parents' eardrums. My obsession actually goes back even further: in elementary school, I had the entire play memorized, and when the student playing Belle was absent during rehearsal one day, I stepped in and performed her part on the spot. Thankfully, enthusiasm was more important than vocal talent. Between the music, the story, and the beautiful visuals, it is a movie I never get tired of watching.

The person who inspires me the most is my mom. She immigrated to the United States from Vietnam as a baby in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and grew up in California with very limited financial resources. Despite the challenges she faced, she worked incredibly hard to build the life she has today and has always put her family first. She has supported me through every success and setback with unconditional love, encouragement, and strength. Her resilience inspires me to work hard, never take opportunities for granted, and someday give back to her for everything she has done for me.

My favorite memory from Thayer was playing against Milton Academy at TD Garden during my senior year. As the only senior and captain on the Girls Varsity Basketball team, having the opportunity to compete on that court felt incredibly special. Growing up, I watched so many of my basketball idols play at the Garden, so stepping onto the same floor myself was surreal. What made the experience even more special was sharing it with my teammates, who have supported me throughout my basketball career and have become some of my closest friends. Their encouragement, friendship, and belief in me have meant more than I can put into words, and I would not be the player or person I am today without them. To top it all off, we won the game, making the entire experience a memory I will never forget.

Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

I have always been a very self-critical person, constantly setting higher expectations for myself and focusing on what I could have done better. Throughout my time at Thayer, my friends, teachers, and coaches have helped keep me grounded, reminding me to be kinder to myself and recognize how far I’ve come. One person who has had a particularly meaningful impact on me is Mr. O’Dwyer, who I have known since eighth grade as both my basketball coach and freshman advisor. Last year, after learning that my dad’s cancer was stage four, I struggled to focus during a basketball game and became overwhelmed with emotion. Mr. O’Dwyer noticed something was wrong, pulled me aside, and gave me the reassurance I needed in one of the hardest moments of my life. Experiences like that taught me that reaching my goals is not something I have done alone. It has only been possible because of the incredible people at Thayer who have believed in me, supported me, and helped me become the person I am today.

Tears streaming down my face, I slowly made my way through a tunnel of clapping students and faculty, stopping every few steps to hug someone who had shaped my time at Thayer. The Senior Walk Out on the last day of school is my favorite Thayer tradition, but experiencing it as a senior meant far more than simply watching it from the sidelines. As I walked, I found myself reflecting on the friendships, lessons, and memories that had defined the past four years. I spent so much time hugging friends and thanking teachers that I was one of the last seniors to reach the end of the line. Looking back, that walk perfectly captured what I will miss most about Thayer: the incredible people, the relationships that I built, and the sense of community that made school feel like a second home.