Welcome to View from the Top! This is a new column where we are spotlighting different seniors to hear about their “view from the top.” (If you are a senior interested in being featured, contact any of our club’s members or our faculty advisor Mrs. Ray, or email [email protected].)
In this issue, we’re featuring CCHS senior Lily Thorpe!
Lily Thorpe never thought she would study chemistry in college; she even “promised myself I would never take another chemistry class ever again.” But here she is: After four years at CCHS, Thorpe has lifted her promise and decided to major in chemistry.
A significant part of Thorpe’s change of heart is thanks to Ms. MC’s AP Chemistry: “not only do I love chemistry, but it has also resulted in the most growth for me as a student,” says Thorpe. Besides AP Chemistry, Thorpe’s second-favorite class has been AP Research. Focusing and researching one topic all year was something Thorpe really enjoyed. She says that “not only were my classmates amazing, but I loved the freedom to explore in-depth a topic of my choice.”
In the future, Thorpe imagines herself either completing a Ph.D. in chemistry or teaching chemistry back at CCHS. She says her “dream job is to conduct research in chemistry and then to become a high school chemistry teacher or work as a project manager in a chemical company.”
Besides academics, Thorpe loves figure skating. Thorpe has been skating since she was five years old and aspires to become a figure skating coach. Her love for skating stems from how the activity “has taught me a lot of what I know about persistence, drive, and passion, which has helped me succeed both academically and athletically.” Thorpe will continue to skate at Boston University, competing on their seven-time National Champion-winning figure skating team.
Thorpe’s top tip for underclassmen is to form close relationships with their teachers: “Teachers don’t get into teaching because they want to give assignments and grade; they do it because they enjoy working with kids. The classes I have gained the most from are the ones in which I have formed strong bonds with my teachers.”
Thorpe feels conflicted about being a senior, saying that it “is a time of great confusion. While I knew my path for college pretty early on in my senior year, the idea of leaving everything I have known for the past 18 years is a feeling of deep sadness which has challenged the joy I feel for my future path.” Thorpe will miss CCHS, but is simultaneously “thrilled to be attending my dream school.”
The Voice is glad to have met with Lily Thorpe and is thankful that she has been part of the CCHS community. We wish her lots of luck at Boston University and in her future in chemistry and skating!
