What year did you graduate from Crossroads Academy?
2013
Where did you attend high school? College? If applicable, graduate or professional school?
- High school: Emma Willard School
- College: Dartmouth College
- Current position: ORISE Fellow at the CDC
How did your Crossroads education in the Core Knowledge/Core Virtues curricula prepare you for where you are today?
I started at Crossroads as a middle schooler. The expectations were high and the curriculum was rigorous, which made me well prepared for my boarding school and college. The Crossroads curriculum allowed me to hone my writing and close reading skills from a young age, which has continued to serve me well.
Intentional learning and practicing of the Core Virtues was also useful for me. They are still part of my daily life, even though I don’t write about or reflect on them the same way I did as a Crossroads student. It was also useful to practice intentional goal setting, both inside and outside of the academic world- that is still something I do today, albeit less formally.
What was your favorite class at Crossroads? Why?
I loved science class with Dr. Faletra. It was so cool to be doing real lab science at a young age. His class was very challenging, but it instilled important critical thinking skills. We had the experience to do new, innovative research in the classroom, which was really exciting.
Baseball players have a “walk up” song that is played when they come to the plate. What would your “walk up” song be when you enter a room?
I have to go with Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. I love the message of resilience and persistence, and I always feel good when I’m listening to it!
With which historical figure/celebrity would you most enjoy being stuck in a ski lift?
I just started working at the CDC, so it would be awesome to have some one-on-one time with the director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky! I’d love to learn more about her career path and about how she makes critical public health decisions.
Is there a Crossroads moment, event or mentor you feel made a foundational impact in your life? Please elaborate.
My friends from Crossroads made a foundational impact on my life. My peers were genuine, supportive, inquisitive, and kind. I am still really close with a couple of my Crossroads friends. We developed similar values at Crossroads- honesty, loyalty, compassion- and I trust my friends from Crossroads to give me the highest quality advice and support.
