Over the years, the King Street Chronicle has featured many students of the Class of 2025 in its weekly column “Humans of Sacred Heart.” Here is a compilation of members of the senior class featured in “Humans of Sacred Heart” in previous years.
How do you see joyful learning in your school day?
“I see joyful learning in my classrooms every day. In math and physics, we problem solve as a table. Because of this, I am able to deep-dive into the subject and fully understand the topic. By the end of each unit, I feel more confident in my understanding of the subject. In history, we open up debates on new lessons. In Spanish, we play Quizlet Lives and Kahoots to test our knowledge. In theatre class, we constantly bounce ideas off each other on how to perform and where we should go with our plays. Another example of joyful learning is when we took apart a computer in Python class. This allowed us to see and touch the inside of a computer rather than look at pictures. ”
What is the purpose of the Leaving Footprints club?
“I created my club, Leaving Footprints, to allow Middle School students to engage in community service they are interested in. Leaving Footprints members choose a new organization or cause to support every one to two months, chosen by majority vote. The ways in which money or donations are collected are also chosen by the group. The club has done drop boxes, bake sales, and games, such as jeopardy, to inform the community on certain issues in our world, and also have fun while helping people or animals in need. The causes we supported this year were animal shelters, mental health hospitals, and child literacy organizations, along with building schools and libraries. This club improves the confidence and leadership of middle school students, by allowing them to share their interests and acting on those in creative ways.”
Which characters are you playing in Our Town and how do you relate to those characters?
“I play Joe Crowell, the town’s newspaper boy, and Mrs. Soames, a gossip invested in the congregational church choir. I relate to Joe Crowell’s energy and outgoing nature and Mrs. Soames’ involvement in her community, but not so much her judgemental nature.”
What are you looking forward to accomplishing this semester as Sophomore Class President?
“This semester, I want to work on making the sophomore class even closer. Having a small grade compared to other schools is really special. It is so amazing to be able to look around and feel comfortable talking to anyone, so I want to ensure everyone in the sophomore class feels that way.”
What inspired you to become a co-head of the Speech and Debate Club?
“I was highly encouraged from a young age to participate in public speaking opportunities. My middle school mandated that all students from kindergarten to eighth grade try out for the annual speech contest. While the majority of my peers despised this tradition, it led me to find a true passion for the art of public speaking. I participated in my first competition at four years old and felt the immediate attraction. The speech contest quickly became my forte, and I was undefeated for many consecutive years, respectively placing in second or third otherwise. I am very fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to begin competing in a comfortable environment, so I was at ease when it was time for me to attend larger competitions. After nine years of competing, I truly recognized and respected the benefits of public speaking. I was presented with the opportunity to be co-head of Speech and Debate and immediately jumped at the opportunity to share my love and passion for public speaking with the Sacred Heart community.”
How did the Sacred Heart Greenwich varsity swim team prepare for the Catholic Championships?
“The Sacred Heart swim team prepared for the Catholic Championships by training hard every day in practice. Preparing in practice and giving every practice your all is crucial to building up stamina, speed, and confidence for individual races. In practice, some sets are built to have an opportunity to practice a different stroke that you are swimming in the meet to improve speed and technique.”
What inspired you to join Model UN (United Nations) during your freshman year?
“When I initially joined Model UN, I was attracted to its combination of speech and debate skills with global affairs. I have always had an interest in public policy and our nation’s government practices, and I felt that Model UN is the perfect blend of these two fields. I also was interested in growing my public speaking skills and learning more about other countries. Originally, I was slightly unsure as to whether I was fit for the role, but I learned that it is something that grows within you over time. Looking back on my decision, I am extremely glad that I made the decision to join the club. It has a fun yet hard-working spirit, and through this club, I have been able to form and grow friendships with so many people. It truly is one of my favorite experiences offered at Sacred Heart, so if you are considering joining Model UN, I highly encourage you to give it a try.”
How did the Ring Day tradition make you feel connected to the Sacred Heart Greenwich community?
“The Ring Day tradition has made me feel more connected to the school community because it has given me a permanent reminder of the close bonds I have made with my classmates in the form of our class rings. Every day, when I look down at my ring, I will be reminded of the sisterhood that I am so blessed to be a part of and the friendships and connections with both the junior class and the senior class that I have made.”
What type of community service did you do on the New Orleans Service Trip?
“During my time in New Orleans, we engaged in various types of service through the program we partnered with. For instance, we distributed bags filled with sandwiches, granola bars, chips, and water to homeless individuals in the French Quarter and under bridges near our program site. Additionally, we worked together to paint a bathroom during the program, which was super fun and rewarding. Lastly, we prepared hot meals for those in need, set up tables, served plates, and cleared them once we finished our meals.”
What does SoulFest celebrate?
“SoulFest is a luncheon dedicated to celebrating Black History Month, specifically highlighting the diverse cultures that contribute to the rich tapestry of Black heritage. It underscores the profound impact that tradition and food has on the Black community, encouraging awareness, appreciation, and unity.”
What inspired this school year’s theme, Believe to Achieve?
“Besides the fun ring to it, I chose this school year’s theme because I think it takes on many forms and encapsulates many aspects of the Upper School experience. I hope that it serves as an inspiration for students and faculty to believe in themselves, believe in the school community, and believe in God. I think my theme also goes hand in hand with Mr. Baber’s theme of Courage and Confidence, as I think those are two important traits that play into all of the aforementioned ideas that inspired “Believe to Achieve.”
What impact do you hope that this program will have on the Sacred Heart Greenwich community?
“I think the program has truly bridged gaps between the divisions at Sacred Heart and solidified a true sense of identity and belonging. What started as a project designed to conveniently connect high schoolers to work opportunities has blossomed into a way of combating division within our school. These days, for example, I take the long route to class through the lower school hallways in order to say hello to the girls I have gotten to know and befriend through this effort.”
How has the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) improved the experience of student-athletes competing in Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) tournaments?
“[The] Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has enhanced the student-athlete experience in FAA tournaments by organizing pep rallies and actively promoting games on Instagram, creating excitement and boosting support. This increased engagement has built a stronger sense of community and school spirit around our athletic events.”
How has your role as Green Team Captain evolved over the five years you have been on the student council both in the Middle and Upper School?
“Being the Green Team Captain in the Middle School gave me great exposure to how the student council works and what makes a good leader. I loved the role, and it helped me form a foundation that would help me in the years to follow. As a freshman, it was so valuable to be able to work with students from all grades in high school and see how they plan and create fun and organized activities. Now as a senior, I am able to help lead others and work with my peers to build our community and make every year fun.”
What was your favorite holiday tradition back at home in Egypt?
“My favorite holiday tradition was celebrating Ramadan with my family and community. The nightly iftar meals after fasting all day brought everyone together, and I loved the atmosphere of shared food, prayer, and the vibrant decorations in the streets.”
What motivated you to “step” in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Liturgy this year?
“Over the years, I have loved seeing the different aspects of the prayer service and the many different ways Dr. King’s message is conveyed to us. Stepping was definitely something I wanted to be a part of. After participating in a poem last year, I knew I wanted to be a part of the planning process this year so I could share my input and ideas to make an impact on everyone in attendance.”
What is your favorite aspect of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) prayer service?
“Every year I look forward to the MLK prayer service because of the different ways they praise God and the legacy of [Reverend] Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. My favorite part, like many students, is the Gospel Knights and when the seniors and vision steppers perform.”
What inspired you to go on the Lourdes pilgrimage this past summer?
“I was inspired to take the Lourdes pilgrimage after hearing about it from the girls who had gone last year. They all described it as such a life changing experience, and as I had never been on a service trip before, I thought this was the perfect opportunity. I love the idea of connecting with my faith through serving others.”
As the Head of the Committee of Games, what were your main responsibilities in planning Congé?
“A lot of effort and communication went into planning this year’s Congé between myself and the green and white captains throughout the divisions. My main goal, while having the privilege of planning this event, was to make sure that all the girls were participating in a fun and engaging atmosphere. In order to accomplish this, I made sure to implement the input I received from the green and white captains.”
As a skilled filmmaker behind the camera, what has it been like stepping into the spotlight as a host for the 2025 Sacred Heart Greenwich Film Festival?
“Stepping into the spotlight as a host has been a fun but challenging shift from what I’m used to behind the camera. Collaborating with the other hosts has created a strong sense of community as we’ve supported each other, shared ideas, and brought out the best in one another. It’s exciting to be part of something so collaborative, where each person’s energy and creativity shape the final product. Being a host has not only pushed me to grow, but also made me feel more connected to our school community and the spirit behind the Film Festival.”
Valedictorian is an exceptional academic achievement. How do you feel about this accomplishment?
“I am sincerely grateful to be the Class of 2025 Valedictorian. I believe that it is the teachers and the community around me at Sacred Heart that allowed me to achieve this position. I am particularly appreciative of the English Department at Sacred Heart, as they are the ones who instilled my love for literature and words. Ultimately, the Goals and Criteria at Sacred Heart, particularly Goal II, are values that have propelled me to always try my hardest and not give up in the face of adversity. I truly think that if we, a Sacred Heart community, a Greenwich community, a country, a world, look hardship and tribulation in the eyes and, instead of giving up, stand back up again, together, united, one, then anything is possible.”
Salutatorian is an exceptional academic achievement. How do you feel about this accomplishment?
“I am extremely honored to be the Class of 2025 Salutatorian. Without support from my teachers, family, and friends, I would not have gotten here. I am extremely grateful for all of their love, guidance, and encouragement. Additionally, Sacred Heart has taught me so much about hard work, faith, community, and dedication, and I will continue to carry these values with me in the future.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ’26
