Elizabeth Smith is a member of the Class of 2016 with many great attributes and talents which led her to be graduating third in her class. Here is a little more on Lizzie.
Coming from St. Rita’s School in Hamden, Lizzie knew she wanted to come to Sacred Heart Academy for a few reasons. I can relate to the fact that her two sisters went to SHA before her and that is how she knew the school was for Lizzie. She also thanks the musical for furthering her love of SHA, saying, “The students are so talented and the shows I saw were amazing. I wanted to be a part of that.” Lizzie participated in the musical all four of her years at SHA. One of her favorite memories of all was practicing the final bow before the last night of West Side Story, and she remembers it as a, “simple, yet powerful expression of our love for each other.” To her, “the SHA musical truly forms a family,” one that will always be close to home.
Along with the musical, she was a member of many clubs and honor societies, which include serving as National Honor Society President her senior year and Science National Honor Society Treasury both junior and senior years. She was an avid member of Concert and Chamber Choirs, Drama Club, Key Club, and Peer Connection as well.
In school, she had many favorite classes, which she enthusiastically lists: Genetic Ethical Issues, Honors Biotech, AP Psych, Honors Anatomy, and Honors Philosophy. She excelled in all of her courses and was inspired by Sr. Mary Jane of the Science Department. Lizzie explains, “She is so intelligent and diligent in that she goes for what she wants passionately and whole-heartedly. I knew that if I worked hard, I could be like her someday.” She further explains that Sr. Mary Jane’s classes were extremely difficult but taught her to never be afraid to ask questions.
That inspiration was a direct route to her success at Sacred Heart, but the benefits of SHA did not stop in academics. She believes her faith was strengthened here, saying, “SHA has provided a wonderfully accepting environment for me to grow in my faith – not only in theology classes, but outside the classroom as well…I think the most important thing we learn is how to apply our faith in our everyday lives.” Lizzie noticed the extent to which God was working in her life during the good and the bad, and she attributes this insight to her time in such a Catholic-centered high school.
As third in her class, she got the honor of delivering the Graduation Prayer. Lizzie stood in front of her 120 SHA sisters and is grateful for the opportunity to “deliver [her] gratitude and future hopes to [her] class.” She felt the experience was “awe-inspiring…I was happy to offer my final words to them as a whole before we all disperse throughout the world.”
Lizzie will be leaving Sacred Heart for the University of Notre Dame to cheer on the Irish. She plans to major in Neuroscience and Theatre. Before she goes, she has some advice for rising seniors: Enjoy every moment of your senior year. It’s super cliché, I know, but it really does fly by. Take lots of pictures, be crazy without caring about what others think, love boundlessly, and never turn down an opportunity for adventure (you’re a senior; honestly, sometimes, your homework can wait)! This is the last year where you get to spend every day with some of the people that you love most. Make the most of it! You might want to give up with all the stress of college, but it’ll be worth it when the acceptances start rolling in.
As for the incoming freshmen, she explains: Everyone is just as scared as you are about starting a new school. You aren’t alone, and everything will be ok, I promise! Don’t stress yourself out too much, but don’t completely slack off either. Try out things you’ve been interested in, like orchestra or tennis, and you may just find your passion! But don’t stress if you don’t know what you want to do; you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Enjoy the next four years!
Good luck to Elizabeth Smith and the entire Class of 2016!