PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHARINE CALDERWOOD
Southern Fairfield County boasts a longstanding reputation for academic excellence. Its public and private high schools consistently prepare students for success at the nation’s most prestigious universities. This year’s “Teens to Watch” features exceptional students whose dedication shines in and out of the classroom. Their impressive talents range from athletics and music to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and community contributions. We can’t wait to see what these extraordinary teens accomplish next!
Izzy Kittredge
hometown
NEW CANAAN
school
GREENS FARMS ACADEMY, CLASS OF 2025
In the fall I will be… attending Bowdoin College.
My passion for sports first began… when I was very little. I picked up baseball with my brother. I really enjoyed playing and later got into softball. I also played flag football and wrestled, because I saw my brother doing those things and wanted to try. After I was accepted into GFA, the field hockey coach asked if I wanted to try playing in “GK” gear. I thought that was a type of sweatshirt. Turns out it stood for “goalie keeper” gear. I was hooked right away and continued to play throughout high school.
Wrestling, field hockey and softball provide me with… strength, discipline and a sense of sisterhood, with each sport pushing me in different ways to grow as an athlete and as a person.
I admire… my parents because they always push me, but at the same time, they are always there for me. They are my rocks. They show up for me. The feeling of having someone there for you also helps push me during games. I am so grateful for them because they taught me how to love myself and love the sports I play.
One day I hope to… make a difference in someone’s life, whether on the field, in a classroom or just by showing up when it matters most.
Before a big game or meet you can find me… with airpods in, blasting my favorite songs. That is my favorite way to get in the mood for competing. It helps me clear my mind to focus on what’s next.
My personal mantra is… “control what you can and let go of what you can’t.” It keeps me grounded through pressure and uncertainty. It is also something my parents say to me all the time about sports and life.
My secret to time management is… prioritizing what matters most and cutting out distractions. That means putting my phone in another room and just locking in. I do this for homework so that I can balance sports and school. Another important thing for me is knowing when to push myself and when to pause. I believe that you need rest in life, so I make it a part of my schedule and not a reward.
- HEAD OF SCHOOL DISTINCTION
- HIGH HONORS ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
- THE JANE KENTNOR DEAN ‘52 ALUMNI AWARD: HONORS A STUDENT FOR LEADERSHIP IN ACADEMICS, ACTIVITIES
- ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN FOR WRESTLING 11TH GRADE
- BROKE SCHOOL RECORDS AS GOALIE IN FIELD HOCKEY: CAREER RECORD-HOLDER FOR SAVE PERCENTAGE (72.7) AND SAVES IN A SEASON (165)
- NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE (NCL), PRESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARD 2023 & 2024
Thomas Carney
hometown
NEW CANAAN
school
BRUNSWICK, CLASS OF 2026
I love Squash because… of the competitive nature and purpose it gives me. It has taught me qualities such as grit, resilience, discipline and individual problem solving.
Before a match, you can find me… warming up alone listening to my favorite music.
I stay positive by… focusing on the present and the things I can control.
Living in New Canaan has allowed me to… establish a place I call home and make lasting friendships.
My secret to time management is… getting work done early and not procrastinating.
In college, I’d love to… make new friends, find my academic interests and help my future college squash team win an NCAA title.
In my free time, you can find me… fishing, golfing, skiing or hanging out with my siblings.
My personal mantra is… not to compare myself to the achievements of others.
One day, I hope to… be the owner of a successful business.
- TWO-TIME CONNECTICUT SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR FINALIST 2024 AND 2025
- BRUNSWICK SQUASH CAPTAIN 2025-2026 SEASON
- BRUNSWICK NATIONAL SQUASH CHAMPION 2025
- BRUNSWICK NEW ENGLAND SQUASH CHAMPION 2025
- NATIONALLY RANKED AMONG THE TOP 10 FOR THE 2026 SQUASH CLASS
Peyton Ambrose
hometown
ROWAYTON
school
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2025
In the fall I will be… attending Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. I plan to major in business analytics and minor in Spanish.
My passion for sports management first began… with the Boston Red Sox. I grew up playing softball, so I naturally understood the rules of baseball and loved watching Red Sox games with my dad. I knew by the time I was in sixth grade that I wanted to work for the Red Sox one day. So when I started high school, I chose to quit 13 years of softball to manage the varsity baseball team. As their manager, I went to all their games recording statistics, only missing a game each year to go to Fenway Park for the Red Sox opening day. Statistics was always my favorite part of baseball, so being able to manage baseball allowed me to turn my interest into a passion by playing an active role in the team stats. I loved managing so much that I decided to also do it for boys varsity basketball.
My favorite part about living in Rowayton is… being able to walk and run around town in the summer. When I go for a run, I get to pass by the water and I don’t have to worry about busy roads. I also love going for walks with my friends whether we are aimlessly wandering, going to the beach or getting food at our favorite places like 101 and Rowayton Market.
I am so passionate about mental health because… I struggled socially my freshman year of high school, which impacted my mental health. Being able to be involved in Mind Matters, the mental health club at St. Luke’s, helped me through my own journey as an underclassman and then transformed into somewhere that I could help others as well. Having a culture where destigmatizing conversations around mental health is the norm was so important to me because you realize that there are so many other people who go through similar things as well.
My personal mantra is… I do hard things. I found myself repeating this in my head when I had a task to do that I was dreading or found very difficult. It reminds me that I’ve done things that have made me feel the same way in the past, so I can do it again and it will all work out.
My favorite family vacation is… going around the British Virgin Islands on a catamaran. Many of my favorite family memories are from there.
Before a big field hockey game, you can find me… laying down on the field. I’m usually the first one there, so that I can have lots of time to hang out with the team as they arrive and get everyone pumped up with some music. I find it peaceful and I think it sets a good standard of being on time and giving yourself time to prepare physically and mentally before games.
My secret to time management is… making to-do lists. I usually have multiple lists. I find when I have only one list of a lot of things to do, it’s overwhelming, so I break things up into categories. There is no better feeling than crossing off something on that list, so I feel like I’m using my time effectively.
- ST. LUKE’S TEAM MANAGER OF THE YEAR (FOR SERVING AS HEAD MANAGER OF VARSITY BASEBALL AND BOYS BASKETBALL)
- INDUCTED INTO THE SLS CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
- VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY CO-CAPTAIN
- PRESIDENT OF ST. LUKE’S MIND MATTERS MENTAL HEALTH CLUB
- RESEARCHED A YEARLONG ACADEMIC INDEPENDENT STUDY ABOUT FEMALE EXECUTIVES IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
- ELECTED MEMBER OF THE ST. LUKE’S HONOR COUNCIL
Xindi Liu
hometown
DARIEN
school
RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2026
In college, I’d love to… combine my love for the arts with my passion for engineering. I’ll settle for nothing less than the ability to spend much of my free time in college maker spaces, creating anything from stunning garments with integrated electronics to the perfect MIDI keyboard.
Playing the clarinet gives me… a way to be a part of something bigger. When I’m playing in my symphony orchestra, I’m simply a part of a whole, and that’s one of my favorite parts about it. I especially love it when the entire orchestra is playing their hearts out and it floods the hall. It’s rather euphoric.
My passion for STEM began… when I was barely able to walk. My parents studied electrical engineering in college, so they’ve been answering my questions and encouraging my interests for almost as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve also always loved math, and the way all the questions had a distinct path to the correct answer has always felt satisfying to me.
I believe that AI has the potential to… become a valuable tool for learning. I tend to use AI to give me feedback on my essays for English class, and I find that many of its comments are quite informative. Of course, I need to be prudent about which of its comments I actually implement, since it occasionally makes things up.
My favorite part about living in Darien is… the DCA Thrift Shop. I love taking my friends thrifting, and I bought many of my favorite articles of clothing from there.
If I have downtime, you can find me… making something with my hands. Arts and crafts is one of my favorite things ever, and you can probably catch me creating something, whether that be a necklace, a keychain, a painting or a Christmas present.
My secret to time management is… using the website/app Notion and putting all the details of my assignments in there. It is so incredibly helpful to be able to see everything at once in a little table, and the website is super customizable and aesthetic.
My personal mantra is… if you feel like you’re tired after hanging out with certain people, don’t hang out with those people. It’s taken me a while to find friends who I don’t feel the need to fake my personality around, and it’s truly liberating.
My career goals include… I’m not entirely sure yet, but I know that I want to do something that involves doing things with my hands. I’m not sure if I would be able to survive in a career that required me to sit at a computer all day.
- WROTE, PUBLISHED AND PRESENTED A LITERATURE REVIEW TITLED “MUSIC THERAPY FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW ON THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY, LIMITATIONS, AND AI PROSPECTIVE” AT AN IEEE CONFERENCE
- CAPTAIN OF SCHOOL DANCE PROGRAM, THE CEDAR STREET DANCE COMPANY
- PLAYED PRINCIPAL CLARINET IN AUSTRIA AND CZECHIA ON THE NORWALK YOUTH SYMPHONY’S 2025 EUROPE TOUR AND RECEIVED A PERFECT SCORE FOR THE 2025 NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION EVALUATION
- RECEIVED A PERFECT PSAT/NMSQT SCORE IN 2024
- PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE GOLD AWARD IN 2024
Lydia San Jose
hometown
DARIEN
school
GREENS FARMS ACADEMY, CLASS OF 2025
In the fall I will… attending UPenn to study chemistry. I’m hoping to go to med school after college to be a doctor.
My interest in Advanced Inquiry Work with ACL surgery and medicine began with… a curiosity to find a way to keep athletes healthier and help them recover faster by combining my passions for sports and science into one project. I have seen many of my teammates and favorite athletes tear their ACLs and have a very long, and not always successful, recovery process, so I wanted to find a way to fix this problem.
My favorite thing about lacrosse is… the close friendships I make with my teammates, especially the ones I’ve gotten to play with for multiple seasons. This past year as a senior, I also really enjoyed getting to support and lead new members of the team.
Before a big game you can find me… warming up with teammates and having my hair braided by our team braider.
My personal mantra is… work hard, play hard!
Something about me that might surprise people is… my favorite sports to play before lacrosse were soccer and basketball. My lucky number is 13 because of Alex Morgan.
In my downtime I like to… read, exercise, hang out with friends and family and watch TV.
My secret to time management is… making an organized plan before I start a big task. It helps me feel more productive and less overwhelmed. I also swear by using my planner every day.
Community service is meaningful to me because… it allows me to connect with others, give back to those in need and make a difference in my community. I love to help others and see how my actions can help people become happier and healthier.
- GREENS FARMS ACADEMY CLASS SALUTATORIAN (2025)
- U.S. LACROSSE ALL-ACADEMIC
- ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE AND MATH BOOK AWARD
- CT-STEM FOUNDATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL FAIR: 4TH PLACE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE
- ALL-FAA AND ALL-NEPSAC FIRST TEAM RECIPIENT
Michael Telesco
hometown
NEW CANAAN
school
NEW CANAAN HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2026
Studying astronomy allows me to… connect with my origins and see life through a different lens. I believe that astronomy makes people better human beings. Everything and everyone on planet Earth is interconnected and astronomy makes that very apparent!
Being the second-youngest person to have discovered a new planetary nebula (named TelCom 1) allowed me to… make important connections with many accomplished astrophotographers and astronomers and also leave my mark on the universe, modest as it may be.
My favorite time of day is… late at night after finishing homework, when I can listen to music or go stargazing and capture amazing images of the universe when the skies are clear.
My secret to time management is… always staying ahead of the work. Don’t procrastinate and don’t let work expand to fit the time allowed—and always be cognizant of my schedule.
Running the NCHS astrophysics club is meaningful because… I get to share my passion with other like-minded individuals and work on meaningful projects with a team. We have just completed the NASA TechRise Challenge on the properties of quantum dots.
My favorite stargazing events are usually… when young kids see planets or star clusters for the first time. Watching their faces light up when they spot Jupiter’s Great Red Spot or Saturn’s rings is absolutely incredible.
Something that would surprise people about me is… I am a big Formula 1 fan and I love playing ping pong.
One day I hope to… contribute meaningfully to the field of astrophysics and conduct observations at the Vera C. Rubin Telescope or the Keck Observatory.
My favorite part of New Canaan is… its quiet and “homey” nature. I love biking or walking around town with friends and family. It feels so peaceful and relaxed, even when life gets hectic.
- SECOND-YOUNGEST PERSON EVER TO DISCOVER A NEW NEBULA, TELCOM 1
- NATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE YOUTH IMAGING AWARD: 3RD PLACE FOR IMAGE OF HEWETT 1
- 3-TIER JUDGED ASTROBIN IMAGE OF THE DAY (TWICE), ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE IMAGE OF THE DAY (TWICE) + FEATURES IN THE MONTHLY NOTICES OF OCTOBER AND JANUARY
- BEST IN DIGITAL ART AND GOLD KEY CT SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS: “THE GREAT AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE”
- SUMMER SCIENCE PROGRAM (SSP) IN ASTROPHYSICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
- PRESIDENT OF ASTROPHYSICS CLUB AT NCHS AND LED TEAM TO WIN $1,500 NASA TECHRISE CHALLENGE GRANT
Finn Malkoun
hometown
NEW CANAAN
school
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2026
I have been fascinated with the weather for… as long as I can remember, especially snow and rainstorms. As early as grade school, I figured out that I could access the same underlying models that all the forecasters I followed on YouTube were using, and I could make my own forecasts. I first started forecasting when Mr. Cooper, the Headmaster at New Canaan Country School, asked me to be his “Snow Day Advisor” in 6th grade. I advise SLS on snow days and weather-related practice and game cancellations, and for my senior STEM Scholar project, I’m building my own snowfall forecasting app using data I’ve compiled over the years for fun.
Volunteer landscaping is something that I enjoy because… I love transforming an overgrown eyesore into something that is visually pleasing, while also helping out someone else or beautifying our town.
My passion for farming began… very early! My grandmother grew up on a farm in West Virginia, and I’ve spent time there my whole life. When I was 12, we built a raised-bed vegetable garden at our house, and I learned how to plant, amend the soil, weed and harvest. When I decided to take on a larger project and grow pumpkins at our farm in Vermont, it was a natural extension of this love of growing crops, but on a way bigger scale. It included operating heavy equipment, specifically tractors, and I got to deliver the actual fruits of my labor to SLS when I was done. Reaping the rewards of one’s work in the most literal sense brings with it a level of satisfaction and happiness that I’ve only found in the work it takes to grow crops.
I would describe myself as… energetic, devoted, hard-working and funny.
My career goals include… I feel particularly drawn to entrepreneurship. One day I’d love to own my own business and be successful enough to retire on a couple of hundred acres of rural land. Nothing fancy, just land and a simple life.
Pursuing my pilot’s license has allowed me to… take my love for machines to a new level. I’ve always loved driving farm equipment and I’m fascinated by the power of motors. Flying is all about the machine, and it relies heavily on weather and math, so it combines a many of the different interests I have into one. Once I’m in the air, there’s an awesome feeling of freedom and an unbeatable view.
- ELECTED TO SLS STUDENT HONOR COUNCIL
- SLS DEPARTMENTAL DISTINCTIONS IN MATH, PHYSICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
- SELECTED FOR SLS STEM SCHOLAR PROGRAM
- CO-PRESIDENT, BUILDING FOR NONPROFITS CLUB
- MODEL UN ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Colette Minton
hometown
DARIEN
school
SACRED HEART GREENWICH, CLASS OF 2025
In the fall I will be… attending Rice University.
I have been passionate about the performing arts for… as long as I can remember. I started dance classes when I was two and also learned to play the piano at a young age. I went from tap to ballet, and ultimately found a passion in Irish dance, which I did for several years. Health issues, social distancing and ever increasing school demands eventually led me to focus almost exclusively on the theatrical and vocal performance opportunities offered at Sacred Heart Greenwich. I thoroughly enjoy the creative process, as it demands both collaboration and grit to produce a cohesive and meaningful production.
Space exploration fascinates me because… I get a sense of wonder and insatiable curiosity every time I look up at the night sky. The expanse of space, the immeasurable galaxies that share this universe with our own and the visualization of time across the light years, captures my interest in an indescribable way. Space is the perfect intersection of faith and reason, and by studying our universe, I feel equally connected to both the spiritual wonder of creation and the amazing complexities of the cosmos. Humanity is on the precipice of becoming an interplanetary species, and this paradigm shift to our collective experience will happen during my lifetime. To think I can contribute to our understanding of space exploration and travel makes this a particularly exciting time to be alive.
My personal mantra is… “Work smarter, not harder.” —Allen F. Morgenstern, Industrial Engineer, 1930
Engineering interests me so much because… engineers are given the tools and skillsets to devise innovative solutions to our most pressing problems. The inventions that matter to humanity have delivered clean water, cooled and heated air, illuminated the night and brought continents together. The progress of our planet is measured not only by great ideas, but also by thoughtful design and development. Engineers improve today and build the future across every discipline; however, I am most interested in aerospace design, with a special passion for space exploration.
In college I hope to… connect with my new community and find collaborative ways to pursue my passion for working in the Space Economy, all while engaging with my extracurricular interests. I am excited to explore all that the museum district of Houston has to offer with the friends I make in my residential college.
If I have downtime, you can find me… making something! I spend a lot of my spare time doing crafts like crochet and diamond art, building LEGO sets and puzzles or dabbling with my watercolors. When I am not at home, I love to visit museums, explore historic sites and enjoy live theatre.
Something that might surprise people about me is… I am left-handed, and I am teaching myself how to play the ukulele.
My favorite quote is…. “The cosmos is within us, we are made of star stuff, we are a way for the universe to know itself.” —Carl Sagan
Volunteering provides me with… I enjoy blending my faith, knowledge and skills to enrich my community in disparate, targeted ways. From helping marginalized teens find prom clothes for their big dance to helping make sandwiches for local food bank, to serving as a reader and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in my church, I try to follow St. Thérèse’s example and provide small, personal acts of service from a place of compassion and empathy to friends, neighbors and strangers alike.
- THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC
- SAINT PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE AWARD
- AP® SCHOLAR WITH HONOR AWARD
- SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS AWARD
- WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE STEM LEADERSHIP BOOK AWARD
Brooke & Kiley Liddell
hometown
DARIEN
school
DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2025
BROOKE
In the fall I will be… attending Columbia University as a prospective mechanical engineering major and playing my first season of NCAA DI field hockey.
My interest in mechanical engineering first started when… I was just a little girl. My favorite toys were blocks. I was always building something. In middle school, I loved when we got to do design challenges in science class (with popsicle sticks, etc.) and in high school, I gravitated toward physics classes, which gave me the opportunity to apply my math background to analyze and construct complex moving systems.
Playing field hockey provides me with… a community. My teammates lift me up; they hold me accountable, push me to be my best self, help me up when I fall and make me laugh along the way.
My personal mantra is… Find a way to have fun! The key to achieving your goals is to work hard and with consistency, but approaching tasks with an “I have to…” mindset is an easy way to lose motivation and joy. Going through life with an “I get to…” mindset makes all the difference.
Before a big game you can find me… enjoying a peanut butter sandwich and an orange and dancing along to my favorite pump-up playlist.
One day I hope to… own lots and lots of dogs. For a while, when I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian, and although that dream has passed, I will forever be a dog lover.
Living in Darien has given me… a place where I could find all the support I could want in pursuing any of my dreams.
Something about me that might surprise most people is… I love to cook! It’s always a good time, whether I’m just decompressing, listening to music or enjoying an activity with a friend. Plus, I end up with something delicious!
My favorite quote is… “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
- FCIAC FALL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD, ALL-FCIAC VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM MEMBER, CIAC AND FCIAC CHAMPION AND RUNNER-UP
- DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL CORNELL BOOK AWARD, SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS BOOK AWARD, AND FRANCIS A. CARTER MILLER SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
- NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLAR
- REPEATED SELECTION TO USAFH U18 AND U21 NEXUS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- NATIONAL MATH, SCIENCE AND ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETIES
KiLEY
In the fall I will be… playing field hockey, learning new things, and meeting new people in the city at Columbia University.
My interest in financial economics first started… in middle school, when I had my first taste of a fast-paced, accelerated math course—and I loved it. In high school, I looked for ways to apply my math and writing skills to solve problems. Senior year, after loving my microeconomics class, I decided to self-study for the macroeconomics exam when taking the actual class didn’t fit into my schedule. My biggest influences are Steve Baker and Brian Hathaway at Investors Capital Management in Darien, who put so much time and energy into my internship and helped me learn about the finance industry this summer.
Playing field hockey provides me with… an outlet where I can always work hard and have fun. When I put energy into the sport, I always come out the other side feeling rewarded. That is a good, simple relationship.
Being my class valedictorian meant so much to me because… I was recognized for all my hard work over the last four years. It was an honor to be trusted to speak at graduation, where I was grateful for an opportunity to thank my amazing teachers properly. I meant it when I told everyone: “There’s a saying, that you get out of things what you put into them. To all my teachers, I got out of this what you put into it.”
Before a big game you can find me… going through possible game scenarios in my head. I don’t think you could call it proper visualization, but I do take a moment to think about how I’ll need to step up and perform on the field.
Someone who inspires me is… my grandmother. She was a former presidential speechwriter in Washington, D.C., before there was much space for women to contribute the way she did to public policy. I admire how she’s such an effective communicator and I felt privileged to ask her for advice on delivering my graduation speech. She may have been slightly overqualified, but her enthusiasm and dedication never wavered from her high professional standard—qualities I appreciate and admire.
I decompress by… watching TV or picking up something random and interesting to read instead of my assigned reading. I’m an introvert, so I don’t fully decompress without my alone time.
My favorite restaurant is… Spiga in New Canaan. I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from their menu, but I especially enjoy their fresh squid ink pasta fra diavolo.
My secret to time management is… far from perfect, but I’ve found time-blocking to be helpful. I’ve had success committing to work or training at times and letting myself fully relax and have fun at others.
My ideal family vacation is… skiing in Colorado over winter break, something I’ve done with my extended family every year since I was a baby. I appreciate that my family has continually prioritized making this a time and place to be together and some of my best memories are there.
- DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN
- NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST
- CONNECTICUT INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (CIAC) SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FOR DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL
- WON CIAC AND FCIAC FIELD HOCKEY TITLES WITH DARIEN VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY AS AN ALL-FCIAC AND ALL-CIAC PLAYER AND USA FIELD HOCKEY NEXUS CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTION
- RECIPIENT OF THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS AWARD, FRANCIS A. CARTER MILLER SCHOLARSHIP, RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE MEDAL, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD AND DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL BOOK AWARDS IN ENGLISH, EUROPEAN HISTORY,AND SPECIAL HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Charlie Sulkowski
hometown
NEW CANAAN
school
BRUNSWICK, CLASS OF 2026
Rowing is an important part of my life because… many of my best friends are on the rowing team and the community is like no other; we all count on each other. Rowing has taught me discipline and my coaches have taught me how to work hard. Even when I didn’t think I could do more, they pushed me to work harder so that the boat could be faster. I can’t thank my coaches enough for encouraging me and helping me experience the payoff of hard work. As captain for the 2025-2026 year, I hope I can be as good a role model for the team as the past captains have been for me.
Taking a pre-college course in Game Theory at Brown University provided me the opportunity to… challenge myself with college-level material when I was 16 years old. I worked with kids from around the world, so not only did I learn about Game Theory, which was really interesting, but I also connected with kids who were so different from me. I am excited to take another course at Brown in Biomedical Engineering.
Before a regatta, you can find me… at the team tent eating Rice Krispie treats with the other eight guys in my boat. Thank you to the team moms who feed us!
My favorite quote is… “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” —Winnie the Pooh
My secret to time management is… just do everything right away! I hate the feeling of having things looming over me. I like to be organized because I leave for school at 6:20 each morning and usually I am not home until 7:00 at night.
In college I’d love to… study biology and other natural sciences. I can’t wait to meet lots of people from all over the world!
Working at Cherry Street East for the last two years has taught me… how to connect with strangers. Even the smallest gesture can start great conversations and turn a customer’s night around, and that they have the best burgers in New Canaan.
Serving as a youth deacon at my church allows me… to meet a lot of people who are older and wiser than me. I have loved getting to know them and hearing their life stories. There are some incredible men and women in our congregation at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan and they have a lot to teach the rest of us.
- FAIRFIELD BIOLOGY PRIZE WINNER
- CAPTAIN OF THE CREW TEAM
- CREW SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNER
- BRUNSWICK PEER LEADER
- HIGH HONORS ALL SEMESTERS