As the Class of 2025 reflects on their time at Sacred Heart Greenwich, they offer valuable advice to the students following in their footsteps. From academics and leadership to friendship and balance, these seniors shared the lessons they have learned along the way. Enjoy these thoughtful insights from the Class of 2025.
“Sacred Heart has improved my organizational skills and taught me how to create an effective and reasonable schedule. I create a weekly schedule to balance my workload and manage my classes while also staying active in my extracurricular activities. My favorite class in high school was Christian Morality, Ethics, and Social Justice because I discovered my love for philosophy and continued fostering my passion for social justice. In this class, I was taught about social dilemmas and topics that students are not often exposed to in other subjects. It is also because of this class that I am considering majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. The purpose of Sacred Heart was to discover my own potential in a supportive community with diligent and caring students and faculty. I was given four years to find my passions and to be adventurous without fearing failure. If I could talk to my freshman self, I would tell her to enjoy every moment with the amazing people around her and take every opportunity that comes her way. I think everyone should try something they fear at least once in their high school career; it teaches you to appreciate ambiguity.”
“Transitioning to high school, the athletic and academic schedule is definitely more demanding but certainly manageable. Learning how to utilize free periods and meeting times during the school day is beneficial to becoming more independent and organized as an individual and also taught me how to prioritize important tasks while still being thoughtful in everything I completed. I would encourage all underclassmen trying out for varsity to set goals for themselves. Whether it is making a friend in the grade above you, setting a personal record on the field or court, or winning a championship with your team, trusting the process and enjoying it as you go will make sports so much more meaningful. Being on sports teams [at] Sacred Heart has truly shaped me into the person I am today because I have learned so many lessons about how to deal with success and defeat, what it means to work hard, how to support my teammates, what it means to be a good leader, and so much more. As a member of three sports programs, I was able to experience three different cultures and enjoyed each one of them. As an upperclassman, I was beyond grateful and honored to be a captain of these programs, and I have been able to help foster an environment that values respect, gratitude, and dedication. Overall, I could not be more grateful for my time on Sacred Heart sports teams, as I have gotten to compete with my best friends, learn from our amazing coaches, find success on and off the field, and learn skills that I will take with me into the future.
“Expressing myself through the arts has taught me to be bold and unafraid of speaking in public. It has strengthened my confidence, not just in acting, but also in class presentations and school-wide events. Participating in the play helped me form friendships not only within my own grade, but especially with underclassmen. For example, in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I acted alongside younger students and formed meaningful connections. Since we spend long hours together during rehearsal, I had the chance to really strengthen my relationships with others, getting to know them and constantly laughing. As a senior, I felt it was my responsibility to help everyone feel included, and through that, I got to know several underclassmen very well. I would tell freshman to definitely go for it. It feels scary at the moment, but as soon as you finish your audition, the nerves go away. Everyone else auditioning is probably feeling the same way, and the environment is super supportive. Getting to perform with the cast is something you’ll never forget.”
“Taking on a leadership role in high school was inspired by my desire to make a positive impact on my school community and help others navigate their own challenges. I realized early on that I could inspire others by setting a strong example and offering support. The most important lesson I learned as a leader is the value of active listening; understanding others’ perspectives and concerns makes a world of difference in fostering trust and collaboration. My leadership experience reshaped my perspective on responsibility, teaching me that leadership is not about control but about serving others and empowering them to succeed. It also made me more aware of the influence I have and how my actions, no matter how small, can ripple out and affect those around me. The legacy I hope to leave is one of kindness, dedication, and encouragement, where future leaders feel empowered to lead with empathy and create a supportive environment for everyone.”
“My friendships in high school taught me the importance of surrounding myself with people who are genuine, supportive, and loyal. I learned that I value relationships where there’s mutual encouragement to grow, not competition or comparison. Navigating drama and friendship changes in high school wasn’t always easy, but it taught me a lot about communication and boundaries. Through my experiences, I learned that not every friendship is meant to last, and that’s okay. I wish someone had told me that it’s normal for friendships to change, and it doesn’t always mean something went wrong. I wish I had known that growing apart is sometimes just part of growing up. My social experiences in high school shaped my understanding of belonging as something deeper than just fitting in. I realized that real support comes from the people who show up consistently, listen without judgment, and encourage you to grow. Those experiences taught me to value quality over quantity in friendships, and that belonging comes from mutual trust.”
“During high school, I think one of the most important things is balance. I learned that taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and making time for things I enjoy helps me manage stress and stay focused. Prioritizing my mental health has made me more productive and resilient during challenging times. I think it’s really important to find a group of people that you can lean on and ask for help with no judgement. Clubs have been a huge part of my life at Sacred Heart, especially the Behind Every Smile club because it facilitates an environment where everyone can talk openly about anything going on in their life. And not just friends, teachers and academic advisors have also been so helpful to me throughout high school for me to talk about things that bring me stress or just help me come up with ideas on how to conquer tough assignments. One of the self-care habits that is helped me most is positive self-talk. Especially during times of high stress and academic pressure, it can be easy to talk down on yourself and think that you aren’t capable. But reminding myself that I’m doing my best and that grades don’t define my worth has helped me stay motivated and grounded. This habit has made a big difference in how I handle challenges and approach difficult situations with more confidence and resilience.”
The seniors have learned, grown, and thrived through classes, teams, performances, and friendships during their Upper School years. As they look ahead to life beyond King Street, they carry with them the advice that they now pass on, rooted in experience, gratitude, and the Sacred Heart spirit.
Featured Image by Caitlin Leahy ’25
