SENIOR PROFILES Learn about four members of the Class of 2022

CHARLOTTE CORCORAN

Throughout her 13 years at Roland Park Country School, Charlotte Corcoran has always been up for a challenge. A self-proclaimed “STEM kid,” she became intrigued by the scientific exploration process at an early age and quickly found a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. Charlotte began taking STEM electives in the eighth grade and joined The Holliday Heine STEM Institute in the ninth grade, where she was able to explore a broad range of topics, including robotics, statistics, sustainability and her favorite subject – computer science.

“RPCS has given me an academic love of learning and the willingness to put myself out there and try new things,” Charlotte said. This year, Charlotte was recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) with a Maryland Affiliate Award for her computingrelated achievements and interests. She also won a Maryland Affiliate Honorable Mention for the Aspirations in Computing Award during her junior year. The summer after her junior year, Charlotte completed an internship at zyBooks, a leading online textbook company, where she had the opportunity to practice and learn new coding languages.

During her senior year, Charlotte juggled four Advanced Placement (AP) classes: Physics, Calculus BC, Statistics and Computer Science and worked behind-the-scenes on the tech crew at dance concerts and Upper School meetings and assemblies. She also served as president of the CyberPatriot Club and the Computer Science Honor Society, both of which she was a founding member. Additionally, Charlotte was elected editor-in-chief of the student-run school newspaper, The Reds Report, and volunteered in the Lower School library.

Charlotte credits her teachers for making a major impact on her education and personal growth. “There is something so appealing about being under one roof together,” Charlotte told us. “You can’t get that anywhere else!”

In her spare time, Charlotte loves to bake, a hobby she has enjoyed for most of her life. Lately, she has been challenging herself with difficult recipes, including meringues, French pastries, treats for RPCS events and even edible university seals for a few of her college applications! This fall, Charlotte will attend Washington University in St. Louis and major in computer science.

ELLIE DASSOULAS

During her four years at Roland Park Country School, Ellie Dassoulas has excelled both in the classroom and on the field. A member of the Holliday Heine STEM Institute, Ellie earned her STEM (science, technology engineering and math) Certificate this past June. She was honored twice with a National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award and was one of 34 girls to receive the Maryland NCWIT Award in 2021. Ellie also received a Scholastic Gold Key Award and a National Scholastic Silver Medal for her photography piece “Growth.”

Ellie was a four-year honor roll student and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She is also Vice President and Founding Member of the National Computer Science Honor Society and a member of the National Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta). Ellie was awarded the Margaret E. Smith Prize at Commencement this year, for her personal growth, determination and spirit, and positive contribution to the school community.

“RPCS has helped shape my passion for STEM, especially computer science,” said Ellie. “Dr. Blackburn has been such an amazing and encouraging mentor for me during these past two years and has pushed me to pursue my interest for cybersecurity.”

In addition to her teachers, Ellie credits the student organizations she was involved with at RPCS for helping her define and pursue her interests. As president of FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools), Ellie loved being an active member in an organization that has quadrupled in size over the past two years at RPCS and has a presence throughout the greater Baltimore community, including the Tri-School. Ellie also served as president of the RPCS chapter of the CyberPatriot Club, a national organization created by the Air Force where members participate in computational hacking competitions. “CyberPatriot has played a huge role in my academic interests,” Ellie said. “After joining the team sophomore year, I have pursued many things computer science-related.”

With her strong academic achievements, Ellie is also a dedicated Varsity athlete and teammate in soccer, indoor track, and lacrosse. In addition to being captain of the lacrosse team, her Upper School athletic accolades include the 2022 Connie Williams Excellence in Athletics Award, the Indoor Track Excellence Award in 2019 and a 12 Season Athlete Award. She was an IAAM Championship Silver Medalist in the 4x200m in 2020 and an IAAM Championship Bronze Medalist in the 4x800m in 2020. Ellie also holds school records in the following races: 4x400m, 4x200m and 400m.

Ellie spent the summer traveling with friends, attending an internship program through FOCUS and training for her first college lacrosse season. This fall, Ellie will attend the University of Delaware to play Division 1 lacrosse on athletic, merit and cyber scholarships, where she will major in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity.

KENNA MITCHELL

As a leader, athlete and performing artist, Kenna Mitchell loves to be busy at all times. Since joining Roland Park Country School in the fourth grade, she has found both a strong sense of community and a safe space where she could build her confidence and learn to trust her abilities in everything she pursued. “RPCS pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible,” Kenna said.

Being a part of the Student Diversity Association (SDA) and the Semiquavers, Roland Park Country School’s auditioned vocal ensemble for juniors and seniors, had the greatest impact on Kenna during her time at RPCS. Kenna first joined SDA as a freshman and was elected to serve in several leadership roles throughout Upper School, including vice president her junior year and president her senior year. “I loved being part of something that was bigger than just my class and getting to know students in different grades and working with faculty advisors,” Kenna said.

She also remembers looking up to the Semis as a Lower Schooler and was thrilled to join the group after being a member of both the Chorus and the Somettos, an auditioned vocal ensemble for ninth and 10th graders. Kenna loved working with Ms. Lisa Diver, 2006, the Upper School music teacher, and this year she pushed herself outside of her comfort zone once again by auditioning for a solo for the first time ever, which she performed during the Valentine’s Day serenades.

Kenna also served as co-president of Model UN during her senior year, a club she joined as a freshman, and was involved in the planning of this year’s conference in Philadelphia. She was also in the Black Student Union, a member of the Varsity Track and Field team and a team captain for the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Swim teams – earning her a 12 Season Athlete Award. Kenna’s Advanced Placement (AP) classes include U.S. History and English Literature and she has made the honor roll every semester in high school. She was also appointed to the Spanish Honors Society.

Throughout her senior year, Kenna encouraged her underclassmen peers to try new things, fostering the supportive culture of RPCS. Kenna recalls her first visit to RPCS as a third grader and remembers how warm and welcoming the school felt even then, which has carried throughout all of her years here. She genuinely loves walking into the school building every day and will miss that feeling, although she will hopefully be back for many alumnae events!

Outside of school, Kenna enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being outside and trying new restaurants. This summer, she worked as a counselor at Echo Hill Summer Camp and as a lifeguard at her neighborhood pool, where she is also on the swim team. Kenna is attending Tulane University this fall and majoring in political science.

GARRISON MORRILL

Ever since Garrison Morrill joined RPCS as a prefirst student 13 years ago, she looked up to the senior class and the important role they play in the community. This year, Garrison was excited to finally be part of the graduating class that helped lead the school to spread joy, solidify favorite traditions and create new ones for future classes and generations.

As an accomplished athlete who played on the Varsity lacrosse, soccer and squash teams, Garrison was also president of the Athletic Association this year, and was thrilled to bring back many beloved traditions that were paused during COVID-19, including the Upper School dodgeball tournament, Field Day, Athlete of the Month and a fundraising game called “YDEAR.” Spelled READY backwards, YDEAR started in 2020 and involves both Upper School students and faculty. In this game, participants are given a spoon and a name assignment, and they try to tag their name assignments when they are not holding their spoon, until there is one player standing. Eventually, the game becomes more difficult and players have to skip and hold their spoon above their head in order to be safe, creating funny scenes in the hallways. This year’s fundraiser was a big success, thanks to Garrison’s organization, resulting in 134 participants and $726 raised for two non-profit organizations, Harlem Lacrosse and Baltimore SquashWise.

“RPCS has given me confidence to unapologetically advocate for myself,” said Garrison. “Whether I need support from a teacher, want to try or start something new, or have to speak in front of a large audience, RPCS has given me the tools to be able to speak up.”

Garrison also credits being a part of the Roses Repertory Dance Company for increasing her confidence, pushing herself outside of her comfort zone and leaning into things that bring her joy. “I truly love the other dancers and Ms. Short,” said Garrison. “Even when we were dancing in our living rooms over Zoom my junior year, I could always count on Roses to be an uplifting part of my day throughout a difficult time.”

Garrison has been a merit scholar all four years in Upper School. In her junior year, she was inducted into the RPCS chapter of the Cum Laude Society and received the Dartmouth Book Award, which is given to one junior in the top 10 percent of her class who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a positive contribution to the extracurricular life of the School. Garrison was also awarded the Upper School Spirit Award in 2020, the Meledin Athletic Award and a 12 Season Athlete Award.

“After being here for 13 years, I have undoubtedly found a community that I love in my friends, advisors, and teachers,” Garrison said. “Throughout my time here, I knew that I had the support from the community around me, which often gave me the extra push I needed to take risks and challenge myself.”

This summer, Garrison was excited to spend time with friends and family before heading to Vanderbilt this fall, where she will play Division 1 lacrosse on an athletic scholarship.