Academic Excellence - Ms. Sophia Laino, '16

It important to start out by saying that being academically excellent is not about having the top grades, but rather growing intellectually and being able to make mistakes and learn from them. If it was about having straight-A’s, than guess what? I wouldn’t be standing here right now. The purpose of our grad-at-grad characteristics is to help us to develop into men and women for others; that doesn’t mean we have to be one when we first arrive at Loyola.

A student who is becoming academically excellent is mastering those academic skills required for college. In order to achieve this characteristic, we must be able to learn from our mistakes and experiences. My eighth grade year was an experience that really shaped who I am as a student. As some of you may know, I am in an advanced math class. Many of my peers have asked why I am so good at math. It is true that I have had a passion for math my entire life but it wasn’t until eighth grade that it really showed.

During the summer going into my eighth grade year, I transferred to a different school, the Cathedral School; a Greek orthodox private school that I hoped would give me more options for high schools and it did. For a good chunk of that year, I was bullied by my peers. Now, my grade only had a total of six students, so being bullied in that type of situation is as isolating as isolation gets. I had no one to turn to for help, so I ultimately turned to my academic work. In particular, I turned to my math class. I was drawn to it. I was able to do well enough that I didn’t have to take algebra at Loyola. It was through

my struggles that my mathematical intellect was able to grow and that has also been true for all my other subjects.

I learned from those experiences and grew as much as possible. I look back and I don’t feel bad about it anymore. Those hardships made me work harder than anything has before and it got me to where I am today. I am prepared to master academic skills for college, and more importantly I am willing to do so. I took my passion for learning with me after I graduated. I continue to strive mathematically and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

A student who is becoming academically excellent understands a variety of images of the human person through literature, biography, history, and the arts that lead to a greater appreciation of the variety of human experience. Since I have a more logical way of thinking, as a younger student I never really appreciated literature and the arts.

That has certainly changed. Throughout my Loyola career, my English teachers made me appreciate literature more than I ever though I would. (Actually, more than I ever thought I could). I had never been a fan of English class, but I remember reading Fences freshmen year in Dr. Meade’s English class and loving it. It was the first time I actually read a book that we were told to, and I didn’t regret it at all. It's amazing how learning about that Fence helped spark a fire that would sustain throughout my Loyola

career. Next came Pride and Prejudice in Mr. Gregory’s class. I have to admit, I thought I was going to hate that novel. Well, I was wrong, as it turns out, it's fascinating learning about 19th century customs. Finally, Ms. Malecki’s class. I have read every single work that we’ve been told to, which I can promise you is a record of mine. Its amazing how engaged I can become in a plot. Finally, there is my appreciation for the arts. I don’t consider myself someone who is artistically inclined. If you ever saw one of my art projects, you would know exactly what I mean by that. After taking intro to studio art this year, I began to really enjoy art. Every time we are given an assignment, I learn something new about myself. I come up with things that surprise me. Even though my projects are unorthodox, they suit me and they’re things no one else could come up with. If you would’ve told me freshmen year that I would be taking AP Studio Art senior year, I would’ve called you crazy. But hey, times have changed in the world of Sophia.

The main thing that I learned over my three years at Loyola is that we don’t need to be our best self when we get here. Loyola’s mission is to assist us on that journey. I never imagined that I would end up where I am right now. It’s not about getting 100’s or being team captain, it’s about how you get there and the effort you put in. I learned not to be

upset when I don’t make first honors, I learned not to be upset when I fail a test every once in a while. Just make sure you’re doing the best you can do and believe me when I say, it’ll always pay off in the end.