92 Hopmeadow St, Weatogue, CT 06089
2024 facs Student Speaker
Marissa '24, East Catholic High School
At age 13, I already knew I had already faced a lot that life can throw at you: my mom and dad took my family's restaurant over, our family separated, my mom and I moved to a new town, and she was working constantly with running the restaurant by herself. I started at a new school as all of us faced the reality that my grandfather was dying of cancer. Then, in middle school I moved again. No wonder school was already hard. At that time, when I needed a trusted teacher, I could
not find one to give me real support. I needed a change. I needed East Catholic.
It took a lot, but I did it. I started wanting to go to East Catholic because my best friend was interested in it too. As it turned out, she didn't end up coming, but I came to shadow at East anyway. Even without my best friend, I knew I could thrive here. Yet my Mom and I had to have such a hard talk: we were not sure we could afford to send me to East Catholic. In fact, we realized we couldn't. And then, I learned I received two scholarships, including the FACS scholarship. Nothing has opened more doors for me than that gift.
My heart was beating out of my chest that first day as I got out of the car. I walked into the auditorium and got settled before freshman orientation started. I didn't know anyone, but I told myself that no one knew everyone, that was the best part. I wasn't going to a school like my last school- everyone hadn't been in school together since preschool. Sure, some of them knew each other, but it didn't stop anyone from making new friends.
The teachers were so welcoming on my first day, and I already felt the support I had missed before. I knew the teachers wanted to see me succeed, wanted me to graduate and go to college. I walked out of school with a smile on my face looking forward to the next day. I never thought I would say I wanted to go back to school, but I did.
From those first days, I've found myself in a better mental space. I go home happy, wake up in the mornings and get ready without the dread of school. Of course, going to East Catholic was an adjustment, but one I needed, and truly wanted. It's been the best decision I've made for not only my education and athletics, but also my mental health. It's allowed me to be happy again.
Now looking back on the past four years, I feel and see the changes I've made for myself. l have worked so hard to keep up my good grades. I have worked so hard on the lacrosse field to play at the next level. I have worked hard to turn every blockade that I've cleared into my fuel to keep going and be successful.
I now sit back and take it all in, my fresh start freshman year, and feeling what I had been reaching for in middle school every year - all of it. I am proud of myself, because I knew, and I still know, I can get myself to the best place for me. East Catholic has helped me get there, and as I look to my future as an athlete and scholar at University of New Haven, I know I'll still carry everything that East, that the FACS scholarship, has provided for me.
24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast
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