This week, Katherine Gaylord ’21 reflects on the importance of the Academy community. As a young child, she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and has undergone three extensive surgeries. A year ago, Kat had the opportunity to Make a Wish, and she chose to give back — Goal 3 of Sacred Heart education in action. Her dream was to partner with ENewton Design to raise money and awareness for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research. By helping to raise funds for research, she is making a difference in the lives of children for years to come. Katherine is now studying pre-dentistry at University of Missouri – St. Louis.
In October of 2024, I went to Atlanta to spend the day at Enewton to design my bracelet. I chose colors that reflected different bits and pieces of me: three pinks (my favorite color); navy for my surgeon, Dr. Leonard; light purple for my brother, George (Class of ’19); yellow and gold for my friend Jill (who lost her battle with cancer); teal to represent the money we’re raising for pediatric brain tumor research; orange (as a Tennessee fan!); red for my family; and white for community.
My community started with ASH, and we are all still great friends! I’ve known a lot of my classmates since I was sixth months old (at the Goddard School) and we realized how much our friendship meant. The Academy community has had a big impact on that. My parents are great friends with other families, and they are all friends for a reason. The Academy community is so tight and want to help each other out any way they can.
It begins with the teachers and how they have built a foundation for their students. I can name my teachers from Primary through Eighth Class, in order (starting with Mrs. Kaemmerlen). I had Mrs. Reepmeyer twice, and now I see her kids growing up. And even though we have grown up, our teachers are still a part of our lives.
The education at the Academy is very different, very individualized, which means every student can have a different experience and thrive in our own way. I only had Mr. Lampen for two years, but how he treated us as individuals was so important. My classmates are all so different, but our foundation stems from the Academy and what they taught us over the years.
Goal V – personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom — is my favorite Goal. My own personal growth is something I like to reflect on because it shows me how far I’ve come and where I can go. I had a hard time navigating in high school, and I took my feelings from that and used it to fuel my direction. As a 16-year-old, I attended the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Conference and was invited to participate in UMKC’s high school pre-dentistry summer program twice. My own personal growth started at the Academy, and seeing what I learned and now growing and applying that to my future is very rewarding. I am very grateful my parents gave me the gift of an Academy education.
Kat’s bracelets are available at the Cat’s Meow in Des Peres or at enewton.
