Jessica

Why did you choose Sacred Heart?

My parents and I looked at a lot of schools. We are Jewish and I was coming from a religious school. We loved the atmosphere here and even though it’s a Catholic school, my parents believed faith is faith and that I would thrive here. They were right!

What is unique about Sacred Heart?

I like the way the teachers treat us all as individuals -- we feel like we matter and are important.

Which discipline are you most passionate about?

My favorite class is AP Government. It is so engaging and dynamic. We are all so comfortable with each other and we cover controversial topics which we are able to talk and debate about in an appropriate and controlled way. This class has taught me to stand up for my beliefs and encouraged me to have a strong opinion and to never be afraid.

What does being a student at Sacred Heart mean to you?

We just had our alumnae induction and I was reminded that I would always be a child of the Sacred Heart. I will always belong to the greater network.

What have you learned about yourself by being at Sacred Heart?

Being a student here taught me a whole new meaning to what religion is. We all believe in something – and what I have learned is that faith is faith and it does not matter what your faith is – we should all respect each other.

What extracurricular activities are you involved with?

I am a tri-varsity athlete. I run cross country, indoor and outdoor track, and I am captain of my team. I am going to Washington and Lee next year to run, and I am very excited about the opportunity. Being an athlete has been the most prominent part of my high school life. It is where I met my best friends and even though running is an individual sport, we all bond through our hard work. Sacred Heart has done an amazing job of incorporating core values into sports. I will take these with me when I leave. I am also president of mock trial which developed my love of public speaking.

What or who inspires you?

Ms. Savino has been my inspiration as she always demonstrates such kindness to everyone and is a true role model to our entire class. Even though she’s the head of the Upper School, she has managed to always be a friend to us as well as a great teacher. I take English with her this year and her approach to teaching and how she treats the students is so unique. She inspires me to be the best I can be.

If there were one word you could use to describe what Sacred Heart means to you, what would it be?

Community. Sacred Heart is not just a school, it is a large group of people who support one another and care about each other.