Photography by KATHARINE CALDERWOOD
Ella Burchell
School: GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL
Senior Ella Burchill is a three-sport varsity athlete, a fashion entrepreneur, an Italian enthusiast and a devoted mentor and volunteer. She has played on the varsity golf team for two years, and has competed in field hockey and basketball throughout high school.
“One of my biggest sports highlights was earning Golf All-FCIAC Honorable Mention,” says Ella. “Golf has taught me a lot about patience and mental toughness because every shot is a fresh start. I also love the team aspect of sports—some of my favorite memories have come from bus rides, practices and supporting my teammates during big games and matches.” Ella was also selected for the CIAC Class Act Committee, which recognizes student-athletes for character and leadership.
Ella is a role model for young athletes. She has coached field hockey in town for three years and coaches basketball for OGRCC. She has also worked as a Field Club camp counselor. “I’ve realized that even small encouragement can completely change how a younger player feels about their abilities,” says Ella. “It’s rewarding to watch kids become more confident, work harder and start believing in themselves both on and off the field.”
Ella has demonstrated leadership as president and co-founder of Greenwich High School’s Italian Club. “Italian culture has always been important to me. I noticed there weren’t many opportunities for students to celebrate Italian traditions, language and culture outside of class, so I helped create the club to bring people together,” explains Ella. “I’ve loved seeing students connect through events, food and cultural activities.” She is also a member of the Italian Honor Society and has been recognized for achievement in math and science.
With a passion for fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit, Ella is launching a hoodie brand called Fifty. “I enjoy designing pieces that are simple, wearable and inspired by pop culture,” she says. “Beyond the creative side, I also love learning about branding, marketing and what it takes to build something from the ground up.” She is also a member of the Honor Choir’s Chamber Singers.
Ella’s many service activities include Filling in the Blanks, Unified Sports, Neighbor to Neighbor, the Red Cross Club, Generation Impact and the GHS Hope Club. She also plans to donate a portion of proceeds from her fashion brand to local charities.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Learning how to balance academics, athletics, leadership roles and service commitments at the same time. There were definitely moments when it felt overwhelming trying to manage everything while still holding myself to high standards. Over time, I learned how to prioritize, stay organized and ask for help. That experience taught me resilience and showed me that growth often comes from being pushed outside of your comfort zone.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Not to worry so much about being perfect all the time. High school goes by quickly, and some of the best experiences come from taking risks, trying new things and putting yourself out there. I’d also remind myself that confidence grows with experience, so it’s OK not to have everything figured out right away.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
As the coach of Unified Sports, Ms. Burke has created such a welcoming and supportive community, and she has always treated me like family. Whenever I need advice, support or even just someone to talk to, she is always there for me. Going to her office is honestly one of the best parts of my day. Through Unified Sports, she has helped me step outside of my comfort zone and become much more confident in myself. She has shown me the importance of kindness, inclusion and building a strong community within a large school like Greenwich High School. Her encouragement and support have had a huge impact on both who I am as a student and as a person.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“‘Growth comes from discomfort.’ I’ve learned that the moments that challenge you the most are usually the moments that help you grow the most. Whether in sports, school, leadership or life, I try to remind myself that improvement happens when you push yourself beyond what feels easy or comfortable.”
Alexandra Lund
School: RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Alexandra Lund, a junior at Rye Country Day School, plays varsity field hockey and ice hockey, serves as first violinist in the orchestra and just may cure cardiovascular disease one day. Last summer marked her second stint as a research intern at Mount Sinai’s Institute of Cardiology. She also worked as a student researcher at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
In addition to playing for her school teams, Alexandra competes in club field hockey year-round. “In summer of 2025, I went to nationals in Virginia Beach with my team,” says Alexandra. “My CT Elite team qualified for Nationals again this year.” She was also selected for the National Nexus Championship.
Alexandra began playing the violin at age four and trains at Larchmont Music Academy, in addition to performing with her school orchestra. “It’s definitely a big part of my life,” she says.
Community service is equally important to her. Alexandra tutors math at the Norwalk Learning Center, teaches music for a local nonprofit organization, and has tutored children in reading and writing through Rye Country Day’s SET Program. She previously volunteered teaching musical theater and science classes to children with disabilities. “I love teaching and working with kids,” she says. She also helped teach a computer science class for middle school girls.
As founder and editor-in-chief of The RCDS Research Journal (TRRJ), Alexandra created opportunities for students to publish their research. She also co-authored sections of an immunology and immunotherapeutics textbook for a university professor. “I learned a lot myself and got to produce some of my own work. I created tables for drugs and descriptions for the most recent immunotherapeutics drugs,” she explains.
Alexandra hopes to pursue a career in cardiology while exploring her passions for STEM, violin, community service and field hockey. Her ultimate goal is to develop novel treatments for cardiovascular disease. The ambition is personal: She grew up watching her grandmother struggle with cardiomyopathy, requiring frequent hospitalizations and eventually a heart transplant. She hopes to contribute to scientific discoveries and biotechnology advancements that improve patients’ lives.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Balancing my lab work, field hockey, violin, community service and academic course load has been a welcome challenge, as I strive to give one hundred percent to every commitment. I have dedicated myself to improving my time-management skills in and out of the classroom, on and off the field, and in and out of rehearsals. Last winter, I was preparing for Indoor Nationals with my field hockey team while playing on RCDS’s varsity ice hockey team, preparing for a violin audition and managing my coursework. I learned to view these activities in the context of one another, applying skills and lessons from one area of my life to another.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Stay curious. Questions are the fuel for research and the pursuit of innovation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class, in the lab or during sports practices. Questions are a pathway to knowledge, and reading and curiosity shouldn’t stop simply because your to-do list is complete.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Ms. Doran, my ninth-grade biology teacher and Science Research Director, encouraged me to push myself both in my research and in the classroom. It was Ms. Doran who encouraged me to apply for a student researcher position at Regeneron; she gave me the foundation, inspiration and confidence to pursue the opportunity. I’m grateful to have her as a teacher, and I’m fortunate to continue participating in her science research program for the next two years.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“‘It’s not how hard you fall, but how quickly you get up,’ my grandpa would always say. As a WWII veteran, renowned attorney and three-time National Champion in Division I football, he encouraged us to live by those words.”
Finn Sargent
School: BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
Finn Sargent is entering Lehigh University this fall on an ROTC scholarship. He is an Eagle Scout, camp chef and scholar whose coursework included AP Chinese and Accelerated Calculus.
At Brunswick, Finn founded the Bread of Life Club, a Bible study and service group. He calls it “food for the soul.” In 2025, the club launched with just two members—Finn and a friend—and has since grown to include 40, he says. The group meets weekly before school to discuss the Bible, with members taking turns leading sermons. The club also partnered with DOMUS, “a nonprofit of kids helping kids,” explains Finn. Together, they organized a bagged-sandwich drive, providing more than 600 meals to underserved children, and a clothing drive.
During his third summer as a chef at Brunswick’s Vermont camp, Finn prepared three meals a day for fifth- and sixth-grade campers. He also volunteers with Midnight Run, distributing food and supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness in New York City.
Scouting shaped both Finn’s values and skills. “I knew the journey to Eagle Scout was tough; I needed to earn 21 merit badges,” he notes. For his Eagle Scout project, he designed new signage for Camp Simmons, repaired and built picnic benches, lined the deck with turf and created a safe landing area for kayaks. “I think it’s really cool to learn skills through Scouts and then apply those skills,” he says. “Seeing the kids on the picnic benches and using the signs—it’s really impactful.”
Inspired by his older brother, U.S. Army Ranger, and his Scoutmaster, who is also the police chief of Greenwich, Finn looks forward to serving through Lehigh’s Steel Battalion. “A big reason I hoped to earn the ROTC scholarship was to join something larger than myself,” he says. He plans to major in engineering.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Changing my mindset. As a kid, many things came naturally to me, and I thought that success would follow if I simply showed up. This belief was challenged when I decided to pursue an Army ROTC scholarship. For the first time, I was working toward a goal that demanded constant effort, perseverance and discipline. But I refused to let setbacks and moments of doubt define me. Instead, I used them as opportunities to grow and learned a lesson that has shaped me ever since; meaningful achievements aren’t given—they’re earned. While earning the scholarship was rewarding, the greatest accomplishment was breaking my old mindset and developing the work ethic and determination that guides me today.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Spend less time worrying about what comes next and more time appreciating where you are. I focused too much on future goals: grades, leadership positions and college decisions. I learned that constantly looking ahead can cause you to miss experiences happening in front of you. I would remind myself to soak in the everyday moments with family and friends and my time at Brunswick.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Mrs. Montanez showed me how to be compassionate and care for others. As my senior year advisor, Mrs. Montanez was someone I could turn to as a trusted mentor for advice and reassurance. One thing that has stayed with me is her reminder to regularly check in on loved ones. Mrs. Montanez never failed to say “Good morning” during school or reach out on holidays, and her door is always open for an honest conversation.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“Live in the moment!”
Ryder King
School: GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL
Ryder King was in sixth grade when the pandemic hit, and that’s when he started running. “It was something my mom encouraged when Covid set in, to get me out of the house,” says Ryder. “I’d go on runs with my mom.” That pastime led to four years on Greenwich High School’s cross-country team. Given Ryder’s busy schedule of service activities, running has proven useful in more ways than one.
Ryder learned to swim at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich when he was around five years old, and he has been rising to the top ever since he rejoined the club’s programs in seventh grade. He arrived at the club a shy kid and has since blossomed into a confident leader and public speaker, representing the club before crowds of more than 500 people. Junior year, Ryder served as vice president of the Keystone Club. He was named Junior Youth of the Year in 2022 and received the David Ogilvy Award for Character, Kindness and Integrity this year.
“The Boys & Girls Club has been like the extended family I didn’t have,” says Ryder. “It has given me purpose in being able to give back to my community through community service.” Ryder participates in Midnight Runs in partnership with Brunswick School. “We spend a couple months collecting clothes through donations. Then we drive into New York City and make stops throughout the night, handing out food (gathered by Brunswick students) and clothes to people experiencing homelessness,” he explains. “You end up having conversations with these people. One homeless man was a big fan of football, so it started with a conversation about that, and then led to him giving us advice and telling us about staying in school.” Ryder values that human connection. He also volunteers at homeless shelters through the Boys & Girls Club and helps out at St. Roch’s Feast.
Ryder plans to attend the University of Connecticut, Storrs, majoring in political science and environmental science, with a possible minor in macroeconomics or English. He intends to join Army ROTC and serve as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Looking ahead, he hopes to combine his passion for service and leadership to make a meaningful impact, potentially through a future career in public service.
Before heading off to college this fall, he hopes to take a solo motorcycle road trip to Florida. “Both my grandpa and dad did that,” says Ryder. Happy trails, Ryder!
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
I believe the greatest challenge I have overcome was learning to believe in myself and that I can be great and will do great things. As an underclassman, I always questioned myself and that didn’t really change until junior and senior year, when I started doing these big things, such as getting leadership roles in clubs, doing some high-level classes and gaining that confidence I needed.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
I would tell my freshman self to be more open and outgoing, and not worry about everything too much. I remember myself being very cagey and not being as open as I could have been because Iwas really worried about people getting the wrong perception of me, which caused me to not live my high school experience to the fullest.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
The teacher who had the biggest impact on me was Mrs. Peters. She was the teacher who really gave me confidence in my work and ability as a writer and thinker. Her class was what gave me the confidence to do AP classes and take those next steps in my education. She also gave me a lot of the skills I pride myself on, such as my writing and public speaking skills.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“The sun will always rise in the morning, so no matter how bad today is, there is always a tomorrow to fix it.”
Devon Carella
School: GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Asenior at Greenwich Country Day School, Devon Carella is an A+ student, accomplished athlete and dedicated volunteer. She has played varsity soccer since freshman year and will captain the team this fall. Devon also plays club soccer year-round and competes on the varsity tennis team. She has earned four Tiger Pride Awards for sportsmanship, as well as FAA Honorable Mention and All-NEPSAC recognition.
When reflecting on her athletic highlights, Devon points not to personal accolades but to moments of resilience. Against rival Greenwich Academy, her soccer team erased a 2-0 deficit in the final minutes. “We were exhausted, drenched in sweat and giving it everything we had,” recalls Devon. “Then, out of nowhere, my teammate had a breakaway and scored. Then, just before the whistle blew, another teammate leaped in the air and scored an amazing header. My teammates started screaming and hugging each other as if we had just won the World Cup when, in fact, we hadn’t even won the game!” A grueling tennis match offered a similar lesson. After trailing 7-9 and facing match point, “In that moment, a switch flipped; instead of giving up, I persevered and went on to win the match. My teammates cheered, my heart raced, and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for having helped my team, and for ending the season on such a high note,” she says.
Among her many service activities, Devon teaches science lessons through the Family First Program at the Boys & Girls Club. “This experience has shown me how impactful even small moments of encouragement and mentorship can be in a child’s life,” she says.
“Another service activity that had a great impact on me was a trip to the Dominican Republic building houses for local people in need,” says Devon. “The connections and friendships I formed with the families we helped left an impression I’ll never forget.”
At school, Devon is president of the Therapy Dog Club and Pen Pal Club, a member of the Honor Society and serves as a school tour guide. She cites economics and advanced precalculus among her favorite classes.
Devon has also played guitar since age 10. “Guitar playing quickly became a release from the stresses of day-to-day life,” says Devon. “My favorite song to play is one I wrote, ‘All I Love’—a simple song about the grounding comfort of home and the power of family.”
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Learning how to quiet my own harsh inner critic. The unrealistic expectations I put on myself became overwhelming to the point that they inhibited my happiness and increased my anxiety. I had to learn to let go and to be kinder to myself. I eventually realized that perfection is an illusion that stifles progress, and that “failure” can actually be a gift that allows a person to truly grow.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Don’t be afraid to fail; growth comes from taking chances and trying new things. Although high school will, at times, be overwhelming, make sure you find joy in the little moments and never underestimate the importance of family and friends.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
There are so many teachers who have had such a major impact on me, but one that stands out is my economics teacher, Mr. Dutcher. He taught me the importance of finding comfort within discomfort and learning to navigate group work with patience and perseverance. Through his teaching, I developed a passion for business and economics and learned real-world leadership skills.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
—MAYA ANGELOU
Clare Junius
School: SACRED HEART GREENWICH
Clare Junius is headed to Princeton this fall, where she will continue a rowing career that has taken her from Sacred Heart varsity rowing and RowAmerica Greenwich to the World Rowing Championships, where she competed last year as a member of the United States U19 National Rowing Team. An Honor Roll student whose accolades range from poetry to physics, Clare is as accomplished in the classroom as she is on the water.
“The thing I love about rowing is that there’s always something to be reaching for; there’s no perfection in rowing, and that’s what I love the most about it. Because the nature of the sport is to race against the clock, there’s always something to chase. I love that feeling of discipline of constantly working towards a new standard each and every day,” says Clare, whose mother was also a collegiate rower.
Clare serves as co-head of the Engineering Club, and is an active member of the Math Club and Perspectives, the school’s literary magazine. Her honors include being named a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist, a National Merit Commended Scholar and a recipient of a Scholastic Silver Key in poetry, a Columbia University Book Award and an American Association of Physics Teachers Award. In 2023, she scored in the top 25 percent of participants in the Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing competition.
At Sacred Heart, Clare tutors students in math and English. “These subjects all have one thing in common, in that you have to find ways to put various different puzzle pieces together,” says Clare. “In engineering, math, literature and poetry, there are always different ways to sort through, and it’s a challenge to find the way that fits best to solve each problem.”
One of Clare’s most meaningful experiences was serving as a Kairos retreat leader for the junior class. “Getting to prepare to support the juniors through their journeys of life and faith taught me the most I’ve learned about leadership,” explains Clare. “Seeing the class grow together in their relationships with each other was such a life-changing experience in hope and love.” Clare also participated in Model UN, joining more than 2,500 students from around the world.
In addition to peer tutoring, Clare volunteers at River House, where she supports and engages older community members through activity programming.
At Princeton, Clare plans to study chemical and biological engineering. “I hope to pursue research in pharmaceutical drug and therapy development to help combat and treat diseases that affect the lives of so many people,” she says.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
The greatest challenge I have overcome has been finding my place, and building my identity through rowing and the people and experiences that have come with it. I wasn’t always sure what I wanted to do, and it took time to find the places where I truly belonged. Once I did, I was incredibly grateful that I never stopped searching.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
I would tell her to embrace every challenge and obstacle because they have made me the person I am today. Putting myself in positions to lead or compete, even when I didn’t feel ready, has allowed me to grow and develop parts of myself that I didn’t know existed.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
My teacher, Dr. Castle, built my confidence in tackling difficult problems and inspired my interest in engineering research by encouraging me to ask questions and seek out answers. She also taught me to sit with the discomfort of not immediately having the answers.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“JFK said, ‘We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard,’ and I try to live with the reminder that my goals would not be worthwhile if they were easy. I pursue challenges precisely because they are difficult.”
Kiron (Kiki) Taylor
School: Greenwich Academy
Kiki Taylor has written two novels and founded an organization to resist book bans, as well as Greenwich Academy’s chapter of Amnesty International. She also created a project to protect farmland fawns and serves as vice president of the debate team. She has an almost-perfect GPA and plays varsity golf—and she still has two more years of high school left, so who knows what she will achieve by graduation.
“I was in fifth grade when I wrote my first novel,” says Kiki. “We were studying the Mayflower, and I got so absorbed in the period that I invented a character to live inside it: a girl named Sofia who flees a mob, escapes onto a ship and slowly realizes she’s aboard the Mayflower. She has no idea where she’s going or what’s waiting for her. It became a story about survival and identity, about what it means to leave everything behind and figure out who you are in the process.” Kiki’s second novel is a dystopian sci-fi coming-of-age thriller that confronts the threat of AI. “It wrestles with the questions I think about most right now: power, technology and who really controls it,” explains Kiki.
Kiki founded PageNotFound.org because, she says, “The inequity in literacy access is real, and I wanted to do something about it.” The organization has expanded across schools and countries. “Together we’ve collected over 4,000 books, run writing workshops, received 85 anthology submissions, expanded to five chapters across three countries and partnered with six nonprofits, including Filling in the Blanks and B1C,” says Kiki. “We want to expand book donations nationally so students can access great books no matter where they live, and to professionally publish our student anthology so young writers can see their work treated as exactly what it is: real literature.”
Kiki works at a farm in northwestern Connecticut on weekends, where she saw fawns hiding in tall grass killed during mowing season. “With my brother’s help, I started using a thermal drone to scan the fields before mowing and mark where fawns were sheltering so farmers could steer around them,” explains Kiki. The result is her project, Fawnguard.
Kiki’s accolades are numerous. She was especially excited to be selected as one of 30 students nationwide for the U.S. Senate Page Program last summer.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Learning to trust that the things that make me different are actually a strength. I’ve always read slowly and deliberately, thought before speaking, and wanted to understand the why before acting. Everyone around me seemed faster, louder, more certain. Writing my first book helped me realize that pausing, thinking, and building isn’t a drawback. I stopped trying to match someone else’s pace and started moving at my own.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Just start. Don’t wait until you feel ready; that feeling never really comes. Write the book. Submit the poem. Build the things you keep seeing are missing. And when it gets overwhelming, go make something in the kitchen. There’s something about cooking from scratch that puts everything back in perspective.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Greenwich Academy has given me so many amazing teachers, and Mr. Sullivan is the best example of that. In his Honors American Studies class, he constantly pushed us to take intellectual risks and challenge the easy, common interpretation of things. We read Hawthorne, Emerson, Dickinson and Thoreau, and he taught me to stop hedging, make the argument I actually believed and defend it with conviction and evidence. Looking back, that’s when I started trusting my own voice! My advisors, Ms. Maliakel and Ms. Harris, have been the other constant. They see the whole picture of who I am. They go out of their way to ask about my life and genuinely care about the answer. That’s what I’ve come to love about Greenwich Academy: The teachers truly care. They’ll ask how my day is going, or just stop and listen, which means so much when high school feels stressful.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“Lead with kindness.”
Harrison Swain
School: ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL
Greenwich resident Harrison Swain is a team player who values moments of camaraderie as much as wins. The St. Luke’s senior is a three-sport varsity athlete: ice hockey, lacrosse and soccer. He also plays AAA hockey, most recently with the Yale Bulldogs. Reminiscing about a highlight, he says, “It was probably not even being on the ice; it was more in the locker room. After every win, we would play the same song: ‘Trap Queen’ by Fetty Wap. Everyone would be excited and dancing. Those are my favorite moments in hockey.”
Inspired by older cousins, Harrison began playing hockey at age five. His All FAA Second Team nomination and Storm Award for leadership mark his success.
Harrison’s dedication to lacrosse extends beyond his varsity team. In sophomore year, he volunteered with the St. Luke’s middle school lacrosse program and was promoted to assistant coach last year. “I love building a connection with these kids,” he says. “I see them throughout the school day, and I feel like a really good coach—one who cares about them having fun rather than just improving all the time—is a coach who will never be forgotten. You will remember that coach as someone who wanted you to improve because he helped you have fun during the game.” Harrison also enjoys skiing, golfing and fishing.
As vice president of St. Luke’s Veterans Club, Harrison helps raise money for veterans in need through Soldier Strong. He also volunteers at Neighbor to Neighbor, collecting donations and organizing shelves and bags of food, clothing and supplies. “It helps me realize the impact I can make and this organization has made on people who don’t have the resources to afford groceries,” says Harrison.
Harrison is proud of his Australian, French and Alaska Native heritage, and has traveled to Australia and France. He loves aviation, history and sports. “I care deeply about these and do a lot of research in my free time,” he notes. He also worked as a hockey instructor for Eric Nates Hockey School.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
One of my biggest challenges has been building confidence. I’ve learned to trust myself, work hard and focus on the people who support me. That experience helped shape me into a stronger student, athlete and leader. During my freshman and sophomore years of hockey, I did not have the best confidence in myself. That took a toll on how I played. How I grew from that was looking back on my mistakes and making sure that I rebuilt my confidence one step at a time.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
High school goes quickly. Whether it’s schoolwork or goals you want to accomplish, start early. Be yourself, stay open to new people and opportunities, and trust that things will work out. I’d also tell myself that the little habits matter. Show up, work hard, always be kind and stay consistent.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Mr. Shee, my French teacher. He brings so much energy and creativity to teaching and openedme to not just learning for the sake of learning and good grades but how to love learning. When the class was feeling gloomy, he brought the energy up by getting people excited. He showed me that learning can be creative and exciting. He’s also really supportive. I remember getting a grade I wasn’t satisfied with and he told me it’s not about the grades at all; it’s more about learning and making sure it sticks with you and you want to learn it.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“Some of the best opportunities come from moments that don’t go the way you planned. What feels like a setback at first can sometimes open the door to something even better.”
George Belshaw
School: GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
George Belshaw, a senior at Greenwich Country Day School, plays enough instruments to form a one-man band. He plays trombone (his primary focus), piano and drums, and has been a choral singer for 13 years. He performs in Country Day’s jazz and concert bands, in the pit orchestra, with his funk band Overlook Drive, as well as with the jazz quartet he co-founded. On trombone, George has earned a spot in the Western Region Honor Band every year of high school, and he is the first student in GCDS history to make the Connecticut High School All-State Band. “That was a culmination of all of my and my band director’s work,” says George.
George’s love of music began with Christ Church Choirs, where he is now lead chorister. He enjoys singing alongside members ages 7 to 70 during rehearsals and weekly services. George recently received the Royal School of Church Music Gold Award, the highest—and a rare—honor in the Anglican choral tradition. “The bulk of my training has come from choir,” says George. “I’ve made such great friends, learned a ton about music, and it has taught me how to be a good person.” He is self-taught on drums, studies classical piano with Dr. Caroline Worra, and performs annually in the Young Musicians Festival.
They say music is good for the brain; George was inducted into the GCDS Honor Society last spring. “I try to focus on my academics as well,” George says. “I enjoy it.”
George has also completed three seasons of JV soccer, plays varsity squash, and is an avid skier. “For me, sports is about taking a breather. It’s about participating, being with my friends and resetting my mind between the school day and homework,” he says.
Service is another core aspect of George’s life. “I’ve really enjoyed doing Breakfast Runs and Midnight Runs into New York City through my youth group. We organize food and clothing that we hand out to the homeless,” George explains. “I’ve learned a lot about different people. I may be in a bad mood going in, frustrated with homework or a soccer game, and these people accept what you are handing out and just want to talk to you and listen. They are always kind and understanding. My problems can seem so big, and then these people who don’t have anything can seem so much more optimistic.”
What does the future hold? History and music—if he can just pick a favorite: classical, choral or jazz.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Ms. Russo, because she pushed me to improve when I was writing my Junior Thesis, and made me take extra steps to engage with my area of study and resources. Also, she goes out of her way to attend all the music events at GCDS, which has made me notice how influential a teacher can be academically when you see how much they care.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Myself. This year, I put myself through a lot of challenges with incredibly high expectations, a heavy course load, extracurriculars and the sheer amount of music commitments: auditions, festivals, services. … I remember sitting at my desk after school, feeling incredibly stressed about what I needed to complete. In those moments I learned that if I organized myself, took a deep breath and reset, I could overcome that stress and succeed. Looking back, I’ve noticed that stress can be something to embrace occasionally because it reflects your hard work, drive and goals.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Fun comes with taking chances. I’ve had an incredible experience over the last year and a half, because I’ve pushed myself, which has allowed me to enjoy my academics and experiences. I’ve enjoyed myself because I’ve done things I didn’t think I’d want to do.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“‘Drop in, Mama!’This is my mom’s slogan, which a random skier yelled at her when she was questioning dropping into a difficult run in low-visibility conditions. It basically means, take the chance because you have no idea how incredible it—or life—could be if you don’t go for it. Don’t think, just do.”
Derek Shah
School: KING SCHOOL
A middle school teacher introduced Derek Shah to debate, and his opponents have suffered ever since. The King School junior has earned top placements at state, regional and national tournaments, including qualifying for the National Parliamentary Debate League Tournament of Champions.
“Initially, I did parliamentary debate, which is the dominant debate style here in Connecticut. Then, two older students introduced me to another form, Lincoln-Douglas debate, which I found compelling, because of its philosophical and fast-paced arguments, so now I do both types,” explains Derek, a King debate captain this year.
He is particularly proud of a victory at a Connecticut Debate Association (CDA) tournament last March, when he and his partner faced their own teammates—both seniors—in the final round. “I looked up to them, having benefitted greatly from their advice and guidance,” says Derek. “I remember being nervous before the round, and I’m especially proud we didn’t let that affect how we approached the debate.” Derek and his teammate won the tournament and later placed fourth in the state and twenty-first in the nation.
Exposure to ethical theories through debate inspired Derek to establish an Ethics Club at King. “I wanted to create a forum where people could debate with the focus not on an end goal of winning, but rather on collaborating to get closer to understanding an ethical question,” explains Derek. “There’s no prize, no trophy, for having the ‘right’ answer—there may not even be a ‘right’ answer. The whole point is that, through an open and constructive discussion, you can learn to break down and understand a problem, and at a deeper level, you can start to learn what you value and what is important to you. That is a unique insight to have as a high schooler, going through some of the most formative years of your life.”
As director of the Toys Program at the Kids Cancer Foundation, he volunteers in the Radiology Department at Stamford Hospital and supports the OGRCC Youth T-ball League. A baseball enthusiast and JV golfer, he explores his engineering interests through King’s Robotics Club and an internship at the U.S. Military Academy Robotics Research Center at West Point.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
At the start of 10th grade, I changed schools from Greenwich High School to King School. My first days at King were difficult. I missed my friends and being in an environment that felt familiar. It was hard to restart in a place where I didn’t know anyone. But I challenged myself to talk to people, join clubs and play on teams. Eventually I made friends, the unfamiliarity wore off and I began to feel at home at King.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
“Don’t aim for perfection.” I was afraid to fail, so I used to hesitate on trying new things. There are so many things I wish I’d had the courage to do earlier, or at all. I’d tell myself to try new activities, surprise myself, and have the right attitude about it. Life doesn’t follow a linear path. The unexpected happens all the time, and you can’t know anything until you take action.
WHICH TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
My BC Calculus teacher, Dr. Victoria Khiznichenko. Before I met Dr. K, I liked math but only to the extent it was necessary. Dr. K didn’t just want me to know how to get a five on the AP exam; she wanted me to know everything I needed in order to be good at calculus. She assigned a lot of work, beyond the scope of the AP exam, and she was always available to help if I was struggling to grasp something. Her passion was contagious. Dr. K inspired me to love math.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
“I remember my dad telling me, when I was younger, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ It reminds me that you have to take the initiative to make your own luck.”