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Interviews with BMHS Alumnae
AN ALUMNi NEWS
AS BISHOP McNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL prepares to build the La Reine Science & Innovation Center, the school remains committed to having this next generation facility serve as a catalyst for positive social change. The school seeks to give every student the resources for future success. Moreover, Bishop McNamara High School hopes this building project advances opportunities for African American and female students as both demographic groups remain underrepresented in fields and careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The opportunities that this new physical space will afford to them to become future health care professionals, engineers, scientists, mathematicians, entrepreneurs, and culture changing thought leaders will be numerous and transformational not only for Bishop McNamara High School, but for the neighboring Prince George’s County community and the surrounding Washington Metropolitan area. Bishop McNamara High School is well positioned to accomplish this goal as the school already draws on a history of success producing these kinds of students including recent alumnae Devin Swiner ’12, who this year won The Ohio State University’s Next Generation Innovator of the Year award and Meghan Wyvill ’12, who works as a nurse in The University of Maryland’s Medical Intensive Care Unit currently confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. The editorial staff of the Mustang Messenger recently caught up with Devin and Meghan. We asked them about their time at Bishop McNamara, the significance of their work, particularly as women and, in Devin’s case, as an African American woman, and how the La Reine Science & Innovation Center will impact the future of the school. Here are Ms Swiner’s and Ms. Wyvill’s responses to our questions.
One of the things that comes to mind when I think about my time at McNamara is the fact that I was able to be involved in activities that fit all of my interests. It was great being able to play sports, be on student council, be a Peer Minister, join honor societies, do service projects because they allowed me to grow not only as a student, but as a person. The people I met at Bishop McNamara are still people that I talk to today
and the support I’ve gotten from my Mustang community has truly been unmatched. But if I have to pick just one memory, leading Kairos as a Peer Minister has to be it. Those weekends getting to know the juniors, faculty, and staff on a spiritual level are memories I hold dear to my heart. Being able to connect with other Peer Ministers for those weekends was special as well.
After I graduated from McNamara in 2012, I attended the University of Pittsburgh. I graduated in 2016 with my B.S. in Chemistry and minors in Sociology and Africana Studies. I currently attend The Ohio State University, pursuing my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry. I graduate in May, 2021.
Discuss how your education since graduation from Bishop McNamara High School helped you achieve personally and professionally.
McNamara taught me to be myself, unapologetically. I was challenged academically and personally and the lessons I learned there are the ones that I keep with me to this day. It was the best foundation for me to reach my current goals. From learning that it was okay to have multiple interests at once to learning how to study and write, the education I received at McNamara has helped me tremendously throughout my journey.
Discuss how winning The Ohio State University’s Next Generation Innovator of the year award can serve as a source of inspiration for future generations of Mustangs to pursue careers in STEM related fields.
I’m a naturally curious and creative person and that’s what my research projects in graduate school reflect. I always want to help others so using my science to do that was a natural decision. Winning this award shows that no answer to a question is out of reach as long as you try. If you have an idea that you’re passionate about, no matter how “crazy” it may sound to others, pursue it. Be confident in yourself and your abilities and that will take you far in your career and your life.
The La Reine Science & Innovation Center will be able to give to underrepresented populations access to STEM in tangible ways, something that historically hasn’t happened. I love the fact that McNamara is using its resources to get students interested in STEM and give them the tools to succeed in these fields. It’s important to show students in these populations that they are capable and can be the next generation of STEM superstars.
Discuss why you co-founded the #BlackinChem hashtag to draw attention to and increase support for women of color in STEM fields.
#BlackinChem came out of the need to show the world that Black chemists exist and that we can contribute more to chemistry than just diversity and inclusion initiatives. We are scientists and a lot of times that gets put on the backburner. I wanted to create a platform that allowed Black chemists to talk science and also to meet one another. Having our allies participate and want to help carry the torch to create more continued on next page
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• “The La Reine Science & Innovation Center will enable Bishop McNamara High School to serve as an important resource and pipeline for underrepresented populations ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• “ in STEM fields; including women, minorities and students at or below the poverty line through a new program of scholarship and financial aid support.
inclusive and diverse spaces was an added bonus. I am just humbled at how quickly #BlackinChem gained traction and how global (from the UK to Africa to Australia) the movement has been.
Describe your plans for the future once you finish your doctorate.
After I graduate, I want to continue to do science that helps people. I’m currently looking at jobs with pharmaceutical companies that do health-related research (medicine, vaccines, etc.). Short term, I definitely still want to be in the lab. Longer term, I want to continue my work with #MacScientist and #BlackinChem and work in science communication.
To the current Mustangs, be proud of who you are and show off! Self-advocacy is extremely important in the next phases of your life so start practicing that now. Also realize that no path is linear and that is completely okay! Learn to be okay with the occasional pivot but also enjoy the journey. n
I have such amazing memories from McNamara. Some of my best friends today are friends I made at school. I’m even friends with some of my teachers and coaches. So, I’d say my fondest memories were making amazing relationships with people I didn’t know who would be forever so important. That and Pi Day.
I went to Anne Arundel Community College after graduating from Bishop McNamara. I intended on being a math major to become a math teacher. I ended up changing my mind and switched to nursing. Then I transferred to the School of Nursing at The University of Maryland at Baltimore, where I graduated in 2017. I have been working as a nurse in the University of Maryland’s Medical Intensive Care Unit (M.I.C.U.) ever since.
Discuss how your education at Bishop McNamara High School since graduation helped you achieve personally and professionally.
Being able to go to school with people from all different kinds of backgrounds was such a gift to me because it gave me such
an appreciation for diversity of thought and perspective that comes with it. Having my eyes opened to new thoughts, ideas and perspectives so early on is something that I will be eternally grateful.
Discuss how working as a nurse in the midst of a global pandemic has influenced your view of healthcare and its practice in the United States.
I always thought the healthcare system needed reform. And working as a nurse with the patient population that I do presents a very vivid example of why universal access to quality healthcare is a must. But working through the pandemic has made it crystal clear that the system operates on reaction as opposed to prevention. So I’m hopeful that there will be teams and systems put into place to help prepare for the next pandemic so not as many lives are lost when something else inevitably happens.
Describe, in your own words, why the building of the La Reine Science & Innovation Center is important here at Bishop McNamara High School.
Women, specifically women of color, are so vastly underrepresented in STEM fields, which can be such a deterrent if you don’t see someone who looks like you, doing what you want to do. It makes it seem impossible. But it’s not. So I hope that the La Reine Science & Innovation Center gives a face and representation to young students who might be hoping to pursue a career in one of these fields.
Describe your plans for the future.
Professionally, I love what I do, where I do it. So I don’t see ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• “ Women, specifically women of color, are so vastly underrepresented in STEM fields, which can be such a deterrent if you don’t see someone who looks like you, doing
myself leaving UMMC’s MICU any time soon. Other than that, get out of 2020, hopefully 2021 isn’t worse, and see what happens. Just trying to survive the pandemic first.
Be open to new ideas. Consider going to community college. You can save a LOT of money. Listen to your teachers. They’ll teach you more than you could ever know. And most importantly, take care of you - your mental health is just as important as your physical health, if not more so. And be gentle with yourself. You really are doing better than you think you are. n
