As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, Sacred Heart Greenwich seniors plan to pursue majors in science-related fields at their respective institutions. Seniors Audrey Bakker, Katya Kalinichenko, and Catherine Tiedemann reflected on how their experiences at Sacred Heart shaped their interests in science, inspired them to continue their studies at the college level, and encouraged them to apply their knowledge to future careers.
This fall, Audrey will major in biomedical engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. During her senior year, Audrey took Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry, and she explained how this class influenced her decision to pursue a science-related field.
“Certain classes and teachers have played a big role for me,” Audrey said. “Classes like [AP] Chemistry really challenged me, but they also increased my interest in problem-solving and understanding reactions and systems. Teachers who encouraged questions and didn’t just focus on getting the ‘right answer’ helped me feel more confident exploring harder material, which made a big difference in my decision.”
Katya will attend the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut for her freshman year before pursuing her degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where she plans to major in environmental engineering. Katya discussed how her experience in science courses during high school strengthened her interest and helped shape her future goals.
“When choosing to pursue environmental engineering, I was most influenced by Columbia’s Science Honors Program,” Katya said. “I was able to take more specific science classes each semester, like material science, bioengineering, and organic chemistry. When it comes to courses offered at Sacred Heart, I was mostly influenced by my sophomore year chemistry class, as the class made me realize that I wanted to go into a field relating to organic and natural substances.”
Catherine will continue her studies at Villanova University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she will major in chemistry. She hopes to pursue a career in anesthesiology after college. Catherine described what inspires her to continue her studies in science.
“What really inspired me to pursue a science major is my goal of becoming a doctor,” Catherine said. “I’ve always wanted to have a career where I can help people and make a difference in their lives. Science plays a huge role in medicine, and I know that studying it will help me get there. Thinking about being able to care for patients in the future motivates me to keep working hard and stay focused on this path.”
Featured Image by Emma Mathews ’27
