When did you start at Radcliffe Creek? Was there a specific reason you came to RCS?Â
I started at RCS in first grade after attending St.’s Peter and Paul. At the age of six or seven, I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and ADD. There weren’t many schools in the area that could accommodate me and RCS was one of the few that could.
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What is your favorite memory of Radcliffe Creek? Did you have a favorite class or a favorite teacher?
I have many fond memories of RCS and I would be remiss if I were to name just one. I will never forget playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean, spending time in Mrs. C-Wright’s Orton-Gillingham class writing my name in marshmallow cream, and winning the first annual Geography Bee at RCS, just to name a few.
How did Radcliffe Creek prepare you for the future?
RCS was fundamental in teaching me how to decode information, whether the information is quantitative or qualitative, and RCS taught me to arrive at a solution in my own way that is tailored to my strengths. What I’ve found is that my approach in finding a solution to a problem is often unique and is often valued by my colleagues.
What did you learn about yourself as a student (and a person) while at Radcliffe?
RCS taught me to view my learning disabilities as a learning difference, not as a disability. It taught me that it was all right that I learned differently than most of my peers and just because it may take me longer to process information does not mean that I am any less of a student than anyone else.
Where did you go after Radcliffe?
After RCS, I attended St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis and then I went on to Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA. I went to Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, where I played football and received a bachelor of arts in political science with a concentration in world politics.
What are you up to now and what are your plans for the future?
Currently, I live in New York City and work at a natural resources investment bank as a junior analyst for the oil and gas team. My team is responsible for raising high yield debt and for structuring merger and acquisition transactions for junior exploration and production companies. I enjoy what I do and I am considering attending business school sometime in the future.
What would you tell a family about Radcliffe if they are considering it for their child?
Radcliffe offers more than just specialized instruction for children with learning disabilities. It is a tight knit and nurturing environment with teachers who really care about their students. I am so grateful to be an alumnus and I am sure that your child will grow whether they have learning disabilities or not.