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chose Mr. Mario Pariante. This fall, she’ll be working with the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. (12) Jenna Gulick ’13, Los Angeles: It has really hit me the past few weeks how much I grew at FSHA. UCLA is an amazing place with lots of opportunities, but it is also a very big place. A lot of people are shocked when I tell them that I went to an all-girls high school with around 400 students total. However, I jump at the chance to tell them how much I gained from my classmates and teachers in a small environment. They then say that it is unusual I picked a large college coming from a small high school. While I never focused on size when making my choice, my time at a small school actually prepared me for a large school rather than hindered me. Knowing every face in the hallway gave me the confidence to make smiling a habit. Now, I think people find it unusual when I smile at them, but it makes me feel like I am making a large school even just a little bit smaller. I am still trying to figure out how I can best grow and contribute to my college, but I do know that on the academic side,
FSHA taught me to learn for the sake of learning. A lot of people project negativity and crack under stress because they are learning for the sake of good grades, which will get them honorable careers and wealth. I may be studying something consistently ranked lowest on “postcollege earnings” lists, but I am happy and enjoying my education. I also know that those lists don’t define anything. Thanks to my time in high school, I know that my future is defined by how I view it and how I work for it. The reflectiveness and spirit taught to us at FSHA are what have helped me stay secure and enthusiastic about learning. I am so glad my sister gets to enjoy those same gifts on the Hill.
Sophie Wellen ’13, Fife, Scotland, produced a short film, “Hereafter,” that won Best Film and Best Cinematography at the St. Andrews Film Blitz. The filmmakers only had 60 hours to produce a three-minute film. She wrote the screenplay and did most of the cinematography, competing against 22 other filmmakers. Sophie also recently served as host to current Tolog Claire Roddy ’14, who was visiting the University of Edinburgh. (10-11)
We want to know what you’ve been up to! Email your Class Notes to communications@fsha.org.
Alissa Lopez ’13, Princeton, N.J., is participating in Princeton University’s Bridge Year Program by teaching English and the arts to students at Nirman, a nonprofit NGO in Varansi, India. Her proud dad, Antonio Lopez, says, “Alissa has always been determined, ambitious and focused, yet it is the values instilled in her during her time at FSHA that prompted her to challenge herself and spend nine months in India serving the needs of others.” (9)
FLINTRID GE SACRED HEART ACADEMY
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