Kids these days. It’s a common refrain with each generation. Google defines this effect as: “The incorrect belief that children in the present are substantively different and necessarily worse than children a generation or two ago.” Even Google knows that it’s a myth, but we have gone a step further and ventured out into our community to prove that kids these days are, in fact, exceptional. Well, at least ten of them are (plus a bunch more who would have made the cut if we were featuring twenty or thirty of Westport, Weston and Wilton’s finest young folks).
Staples High School, Weston High School, Wilton High School, Greens Farms Academy, Fairfield Prep, St. Luke’s, King School and Wooster School submitted their most impressive upperclassmen from our towns, and the pool is brimming and bright with: nationally ranked athletes, political prodigies, environmental stewards, award-winning artists, published writers, multilingual phenoms, school ambassadors and budding medical researchers. Each of our finalists juggles a mind-boggling schedule of academic and extracurricular activities, and every last one is a compassionate human being who proves KIDS THESE DAYS ARE AWESOME.
LILLY HOGAN
Greens Farms Academy
Lilly Hogan has the competitive edge that makes her a top field hockey player but off the field she is all heart. She is a longtime volunteer at The Alliance in Limiting Strays CT (TAILS) and hopes to go to vet or med school. Lilly has lent a helping hand at Aspire Living and Learning Academy, where she developed a gardening curriculum and taught kids with learning disabilities. In eleventh grade, she received the Brandeis Book Award for service and volunteering.
“Field hockey has been a love of mine since third grade,” says Lilly, who was captain of both the varsity field hockey and track and field teams at Green’s Farms Academy and is now on the field hockey team at Bates College. “It got me into college and brought so much personal growth.” She broke the all-time record for most assists her senior year in high school. “I had been working on it since my sophomore season. As GFA field hockey continues to grow, it will be great to see who breaks it next,” says Lilly, in good-sport spirit.
Lilly worked her way up the organization at TAILS, from cat caretaker to volunteer coordinator—responsible for training new volunteers. “I really enjoyed my time there,” says Lilly. She also loved planting strawberry seeds with the students at Aspire and watching their joy when the strawberries appeared last spring. Lilly brought her passion for gardening to students in GFA’s Horizons Program as well, “using various lesson plans that are science and sustainability based around gardens and gardening,” she explains.
Lilly has worked as a Longshore Sailing School instructor, math tutor and GFA student ambassador. She even won Best Student Ambassador for her enthusiastic tours and presentations to prospective GFA families. She maintained high honors throughout her time at GFA, as well as Head of School Distinction (for participation and leadership).
During her senior year, Lilly conducted research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and was selected as a finalist in the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair. “My gramma passed away due to ALS when I was in fourth grade,” explains Lilly. “I watched her go through the progression—from cane to walker to wheelchair to not being able to breathe on her own. I wanted to see if there was a way to mitigate the pain she went through.” Specifically, Lilly studied the use of Resveratrol, a natural supplement found in red grapes, to delay the onset of ALS in fruit flies. She is interested in studying biology and neuroscience in college.
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What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?
I was really close with my grandmother. It was really hard seeing the light go out. It was hard for many years. I also had hip surgery this past December. I am not a patient person. Coming back from that and not being where I was condition-wise was hard. I’m recovering and trying to be the best version of athlete I can be. I tore my labrum over two years ago and have been playing on it. Once I committed, I thought I should get it checked out before I go to college. While recovering, I have had to work harder and be even more determined.
What would you tell your freshman self?
I am a planner. Half of that, yes, it’s good, but life doesn’t always go with your plan, so I would tell my freshman self to be ready to adapt on the fly and be able to change based on circumstances. Life throws curve balls; you have to figure it out.
Which teacher had the biggest impact on you?
My first science teacher and my advisor, Dr Mead, who fueled my passion for science. My field hockey coach, Liz Schuellein, who I’ve known since sixth grade. She taught me patience, leadership and communication skills. My research advisor, Dr. Gerdes, who helped me figure out solutions and was a great sounding board.
Words to live by?
Failure is part of the process. Know you won’t be the best at every single point. Failure is where the most learning comes from.