KATIE QUILL
SACRED HEART GREENWICH CLASS OF 2024
HOMETOWN: NEW CANAAN
In the fall I will be… attending Lafayette College.
My passion for the environment started when… I began preschool at the New Canaan Nature Center. I think that attending the Nature Center allowed me to develop a love for the outdoors at an early age. I believe my love for nature has inspired my commitment to sustainable action and passion for environmental justice.
I give back to my community by… volunteering at my church (Holy Ghost Orthodox Parish) in Bridgeport. As a Sunday school teacher, I walk the kids over to the church school building, provide snacks, read the weekly bible passage and then help with a related craft. I also take part in organizing our yearly Christmas pageant and monthly choir practices.
I spent my summer… working at the Steve Benko Pool in New Canaan as a lifeguard, reading for leisure (I’m currently reading Tana French’s The Likeness) and watching the Euros and the Olympics. I also visited my grandparents in New Hampshire, where I was able to golf with my grandfather and cousins, play cornhole and bocce and swim in the lake.
My interest in writing began… with my love for reading. It inspired me to start creating my own stories. Books like The Lorax and The Boxcar Children were early favorites. At Sacred Heart, I was fortunate enough to be a member of the art and literary magazine, Perspectives, where I contributed as a writer and editor. I am looking forward to continuing to dive into more creative writing at Lafayette.
My role models include… my mom, dad and Auntie M. Also, my favorite authors Toni Morrison, Jane Austen and Amanda Gorman. Last but not least, I admire Emma Watson for the way she uses her platform to promote women’s rights.
I like to decompress by… listening to music. Right now my favorite artists are Billie Eilish and Dominic Fike.
In ten years I hope to be… living and working in New York City and making time to travel.
My dream job would be… working in the UN Women’s Department of Environmental Justice.
My favorite teacher has been… Mr. B., my junior year U.S. history teacher and Dr. Baptista, my junior and senior year English teacher. Both are passionate about the subjects they teach and care deeply about their students’ success and overall well-being. I am so grateful to have had them as teachers and role models.
My personal mantra is… that obstacles are opportunities in disguise. I try to remember that challenging myself and going out of my comfort zone allows me to grow as a person— whether it be academically or socially.
WHY KATIE IS A TEEN TO WATCH:
Editor of award-winning student literary magazine, Perspectives
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Recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology with the 2023 Connecticut Rising Star Award
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Recipient of the 2023 Gettysburg Book Award
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Inductee of the Sister Sheehan Honor Society which recognizes students for exceptional community service during their Upper School years
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Varsity soccer team
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Varsity track team