FROM GOVS TO ANYWHERE
Stories of Discovery, Connection, and Excellence
EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINNING.
At Govs, every passion starts with a spark of interest. Each discovery is made possible by mentors and friends who push us past our perceived limitations. Every success is sweetened by celebrating with a community that feels like family. Each essential skill is honed because we strive for excellence.
When we write our stories together, we thrive. This is made evident in the experiences and accomplishments shared by our alumni. They have completed rigorous college studies, built impactful careers, won national championships, invented apps, published articles and books, and served communities across the globe.
DISCOVERING AND PURSUING YOUR PASSIONS
“Looking back, my AP U.S. History thesis was one of the most interesting learning experiences I’ve ever had. Conducting original research at Govs—that I’m still expanding upon today—was influential to my life path.”
Tianyu Fang ’20
Stanford University Political Science
The breadth and depth of interdisciplinary subject matter at Govs greatly inspired Tianyu. “At the Academy, I learned it’s better to understand three different subject areas very well than to try to be the best at one thing. This insight carried me through college and now my career as a writer and policy analyst. Finding and connecting all my passions has created lots of opportunities for me.”
“GOVS GOT ME TO TRY THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT I’D DO.”
Will Moriarty ’22
University of Wisconsin-Madison Journalism, Film
Will started at The Governor’s Academy ready to compete. He aimed to be a multisport athlete like his brother—also a Govs graduate—and promptly signed up for JV football his first year. After a few months of exploring the opportunities offered at the Academy, Will’s plans shifted. “When I saw teammates pursue activities outside of sports, it got me out of my comfort zone. I tried out ceramics, then photography and film classes, subjects that ended up becoming my passions.”
As Will developed his skills in lighting, motion, and editing in classes like AP Photography, he connected his interest in sports to his newfound love for photography and videography. “I had the opportunity to do a lot of multimedia work for the athletics department at Govs, including media days for our basketball and baseball teams.” Now, Will works as the student athletic content creator for the athletic department at the University of WisconsinMadison, where he is pursuing a
bachelor’s degree in journalism and film. Alongside a team, Will plans and creates content that excites fans. “So much of my job is engaging with people who are consuming sports content. I’ve had to learn how to communicate effectively—with players, coaches, coworkers, and fans. I attribute my communication skills to my learning experiences at Govs.”
“I THOUGHT, ‘WOW, THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.’ IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE.”
It’s not just UW-Madison fans who are noticing Will’s compelling communication.
“We were one of the most trending social media accounts in the country on the day we beat Purdue in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament this past year.” Creating and sharing content during the Big Ten Tournament was a major accomplishment for Will. “When I stepped foot in the arena and saw the lights, the fans, the athletes, I thought, ‘Wow, this is really happening.’ It was a dream come true—a dream that started when I decided to try something new and picked up that camera at Govs.”
Cara
Nugent ’21
Northwestern University Computer Science
Cara loved playing lacrosse at Govs, and she wanted to keep playing through college. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced challenges with the recruitment process when conducting her college search. “I decided to apply to a range of schools, and if I could play lacrosse, that would be a bonus.” The college counselors, faculty, and coaches at Govs believed in Cara and understood her drive to compete at the collegiate level. With their help and encouragement, Cara accepted an offer to go to Northwestern University, a DI school, and played on the lacrosse team that would go on to win the NCAA Women’s National Championship in 2023. “Two years before winning the championship, I didn’t think I’d play anymore—and definitely not DI. The support I received at Govs helped get me there. It was years of hard work that paid off.”
FINDING PEOPLE WHO BRING OUT
DEDICATED COACHES
Meg Cole ’22
Colgate University
Psychology, Public Health, Environmental Health
Meg studies and competes as a lacrosse player at Colgate University, and she has drawn from the support she received at Govs throughout her college career and endeavors. “This past summer, I worked at a leadership development camp for middle school girls. I felt prepared to be the kind of mentor the girls could trust and depend on because that was modeled for me at Govs by Coach McLain.” When reflecting on her success as a student and a starter on Colgate’s lacrosse team, Meg feels gratitude for the relationships she formed at Govs. “I knew that if I ever needed anything—even now— I could reach out to Coach McLain. She is one of the best mentors a person could have.”
LIFELONG FRIENDS
Patrick Manswell ’23
Trinity College Computer Science
Patrick recently collaborated with classmates on a project that won second place in the Trinity’s Summit Innovation Challenge. He believes he developed the confidence and openness to collaborate with lots of different people at Govs, where he forged deep friendships—including one with classmate Emmett McKinnon ’23. “Govs inspires people to connect with each other, maybe people you wouldn’t normally connect with. Even with completely different backgrounds and life paths, Emmett continues to be there for me, especially as I’ve grown and discovered more about myself.”
YOUR BEST
Charlotte Whittier ’19
Wake Forest University
Science, Politics, International Affairs
INSPIRING TEACHERS
A CAREER ON CAPITOL HILL WAS NOT A CALLING CHARLOTTE SAW FOR HERSELF UNTIL HER SENIOR YEAR AT GOVERNOR’S.
“I attribute my current path to my experience in AP U.S. Government and Politics with Mr. Satow. It was the first time that I even considered politics as a potential career, and Mr. Satow encouraged me to embrace that possibility. One of the most enduring benefits I received from Govs was the ability to build relationships with incredible faculty and adults like Mr. Satow.”
And this ability to develop cross-generational relationships gave Charlotte the confidence to communicate with senior-level administrators in political offices, which led her to the position of legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas. “My work entails partnering with stakeholders, tracking issues, and making recommendations to the congressman … Capitol Hill is an exciting place to work, and it feels like I’m really building my political career.”
ENGAGING WITH THE WORLD
Terri Costello ’15 Trinity College Dublin Ancient History, Archeology
During the summer between her junior and senior years at Govs, Terri traveled to Ireland to participate in an archaeological field study—the rest is history.
She attended Trinity College in Dublin and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in ancient history and archeology. Terri recently completed master’s and postmaster’s programs in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage at the University of Amsterdam.
“THE ACADEMY’S MOTTO, ‘NOT FOR SELF, BUT FOR OTHERS,’ CAN BE CARRIED
OUT
ON THE GLOBAL STAGE. IT HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO THE WAY I EXIST IN THE WORLD AND THE WORK THAT I DO.”
Now she lives in Arnhem, the Netherlands, and specializes in preserving glass and ceramic objects in her own conservation studio.
“I think about how to best tell the stories of the objects I’m restoring and preserving. It’s important to me to not only preserve the object, but to preserve its information and our understanding of that object in a cultural context.” Recently, Terri won an award from the Rijksmuseum for her thesis research on glass horn conservation. “It was a huge accomplishment, and I credit Govs for providing me with the building blocks for
Stephen Damianos ’15 University of Pennsylvania Political Science, Journalism
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Stephen moved to England, where he obtained a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. in refugee rights and technology from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He lives and works in London as the director of technology and human rights at an international human rights law firm. Needless to say, Stephen is passionate about helping people seek safety and find belonging—across the globe. “I might not be able to solve a country’s civil war, but I can teach someone English. I can advocate to lift their voice. I can have hard, necessary conversations. It’s those person-to-person interactions that actually end up changing the world. If you change individual worlds, then you change the world.”
Currently, Stephen is preparing for the publication of his dissertation. “All these years later, I’m writing acknowledgments in my book to Govs educators, who helped me imagine and prepare for the possibilities of a beautiful future—and the ways I can contribute to it.”
learning how to conduct impactful research on historical subject matter.”
Terri also attributes much of the love and respect she has for “all things ancient and historic” to her life and learning experiences at Govs. “The Academy is dripping with history, from the Little Red Schoolhouse to the archives in the center of campus. As a student there, you’re constantly reminded of the past as you go about your day—and that thrilled and inspired me.”
“The Governor’s Academy recognizes the importance of preserving its history and the area’s history, and learning there instilled in me a passion for taking care of our cultural heritage and past.”
PREPARING TO THRIVE IN COLLEGE
Our college search process focuses on helping you find the college that suits you best.
Through one-on-one meetings with your college counselor, you’ll explore your interests and goals while creating a well-rounded list of schools. Combined with our College Search Seminar Series, this approach supports you as you make progress each year toward all of your plans and aspirations.
Lily Bailey ’16 MIT
Computer Science, Engineering
“I wanted to apply to schools with competitive soccer programs and strong academics. The College Counseling Office at Govs guided me to open up my search to include schools beyond Ivies, which helped me happily end up at MIT.”
Since graduating from Govs, Lily has been the special assistant to the chief of staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, traveled the globe, and is now pursuing her master’s degree at Harvard Business School. She believes her willingness to pivot, follow unconventional paths, and say “yes” to exceptional opportunities is because of an openness and flexibility she fostered at the Academy. “Govs doesn’t put students in boxes. And because of that, I developed a strong sense of self that has helped me grow my career in unexpected ways and connect with communities across the world.”
Samantha Davidson ’19 Princeton University Sociology
“I ARRIVED AT PRINCETON FULLY READY TO MANAGE MY TIME AND SCHEDULE. GOVS HELPED TO CULTIVATE THOSE SKILLS WITHIN ME.”
Samantha won the Princeton University Class of 1916 Cup, an award given to the senior student-athlete with the highest academic standing. As a field hockey player and an excellent student at Princeton, Samantha balanced a lot. She credits her success to her self-advocacy—a trait she developed through the supportive relationships she had with faculty at the Academy. “Making close connections with my teachers at Govs translated into having the confidence to approach my professors at Princeton, introduce myself, ask questions, and seek out the support I needed to be successful.”
Anuvind Iyer ’19 Williams College Physics, Economics
“GOVS HELPED ME BECOME A GREAT WRITER AND PUBLIC SPEAKER.”
Anuvind currently works as an investment banking analyst at Citibank in New York City. While his college studies certainly informed his current position, Anuvind says the communication skills he developed at Govs have significantly impacted his career trajectory. “Govs faculty, across the board, hold high expectations for their students’ communication skills. They teach you how to best represent yourself and your subject matter through writing and public speaking. In college and especially in my career, I find that people put high value on and appreciate my strong communication skills.”
GO FAR TOGETHER
DAY STUDENT APPLICATIONS
DUE BY JANUARY 15
BOARDING STUDENT APPLICATIONS
DUE BY JANUARY 31 OFFICE
GOVS STUDENTS DEVELOP SEVEN ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
Think critically and solve problems
Collaborate to achieve common goals
Lead within a moral and ethical framework
Communicate effectively
Be thoughtful and engaged readers
Access and analyze information
Adapt readily
An independent, college preparatory school for students in grades 9 through 12 on the North Shore of Massachusetts
GOVS ALUMNI ARE PURSUING PASSIONS AND THRIVING:
Speaking at the United Nations
Receiving the Truman Scholarship
Competing in the Olympics
Writing for The Harvard Lampoon
Playing in the National Football League
See more stories inside.