Gracie Fogerty, St. Agnes Class of 2019
What is your favorite thing about SAA?
There are so many things that I love about SAA, but I have to say that the bond of sisterhood that is formed here is my absolute favorite. I walked in the door as a freshman with only one sister, but now, as a rising senior, I have more sisters than I can even begin to count. Also, the sisterhood here does not end the second you step out the doors on graduation day. The sisterhood here at SAA lasts a lifetime, and I know that no matter where life takes me my sisters and the entire community here at SAA will support me and cheer me on. The feeling of love and support that is within the sisterhood here at SAA is indescribable; however, I can assure you that it is the best feeling in the entire world!
Why did you choose St. Agnes?
I chose St. Agnes for many reasons, which include the unique and beautiful traditions, the outstanding education I knew I would receive, the sense of community and family that is formed, the way prayer and God are held at the highest honor, as well as for the endless opportunities within the school. However, the dynamic people here at SAA are what made it stand out to me above all the rest while I was touring high schools as an eighth grader. I vividly remember the moment that I walked through the doors of Siena Hall on 9th Grade Preview Morning. I felt extremely welcomed and at home here. It was from that moment on that I knew that this is the place where I belonged. Everyone I met seemed so happy here and proud to call SAA their home away from home.
How do the teachers make learning exciting/meaningful?
Teachers are a part of what makes the experience at SAA both exciting and meaningful. Each and every teacher I have had the opportunity to have has impacted my life in one way or another. Their dedication and love for teaching is incredibly inspiring and makes learning all the more enjoyable. Teachers at SAA inspire students to want to learn through their unique and exciting teaching styles, as well as through their ultimate love for teaching. If there is one thing that teachers care about most it’s their students, which I have discovered to be a common trait within every teacher I have had here. They are always available to help you when you are struggling, support you when you need support, and they are always the first ones to congratulate you on a job well done. The teachers here at SAA are truly unlike any other.
How would you describe the classroom environment at SAA?
The classroom environment at SAA is extremely unique as it is fit for all different personalities and learners. Teachers find ways to incorporate all students and their individual personalities into the lessons, the class sizes are smaller making learning easier and more beneficial, and every student is invited and welcomed to share their opinions, thoughts, questions, and concerns. The classroom environment at SAA includes everybody. It is never just the teacher or a few students who are included. Everyone is always included.
What is your favorite St. Agnes tradition?
My favorite tradition is our class rings. Our class rings have a special uniqueness and symbolism to them. When the day came this past January for the Junior Ring Ceremony my excitement level was extremely high! I felt like I had become an official St. Agnes girl when Dean Maness placed my class ring on my finger. It was more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. Yes, the day of my Junior Ring Ceremony was special because I received my own class ring that I had waited so long for, but what ultimately made that day most special is that my entire class received their rings as well. A special bond was formed within my class that day through our rings. Our class rings unify us, and they make us one, which I feel is unique to our school.
What activities are you involved in at SAA?
As an incoming senior, I am chaplain of my class, a Peer Mentor to the incoming freshmen, a Retreat Leader, a member of the Honor Council, and a member of the following clubs--Key Club, Beta Club, Forever Friends, Fleece of Faith, and Stars for Life. I also enjoy volunteering with the SAA Upper School theatre productions.
Why did you decide to run for the chaplain of your class?
At the end of my freshman year I decided to run for the chaplain of my class for our sophomore year for a couple of different reasons. First, I wanted to find a way in which I could give back to my class. I also wanted to find a way in which my faith in God could benefit every girl in my class. I felt that my faith was worth sharing and that my values would be beneficial in the lives of those around me. Finally, I feel that as chaplain of my class I am honoring God in a unique and special way, which is what is most important to me.
What are some of the things you do in the role of chaplain?
In the role of chaplain, I lead prayer at our Upper School assemblies. I also have the job of sharing prayer requests from girls in my class with our entire class. However, I wanted to do more in the role of chaplain, so my sophomore year I sent out "Weekly Chaplain Emails" to my class every Sunday evening. These would include prayer requests along with a bible verse for the week. I decided my junior year to change it up a bit by starting to write a blog for my class to read every week. My blog is called "Gracie's Grace," and I encourage you to check it out too (http://graciesgrace.blogspot.com/)! I send out a new blog post every Sunday night during the school year, which includes my own words, a bible verse, a song, a prayer, and some prayer requests.
What have you learned about leadership at SAA?
Our world is in need of more good leaders, and I strongly believe that good leaders are being made at SAA. We are taught here what makes a good leader and what key values we should work to obtain in order to be good leaders for our school, community, and beyond.