Assumption: A place to grow in faith, compassion, integrity and excellence
Emma Higgs
One of the most important things Assumption teaches its young women is: “You are enough.”
It is a message repeated during freshman Mission Week, but it becomes much more than just words. It becomes something you grow into.
As a new freshman, I remember being so scared to start a new school where I knew no one. I wasn’t confident in myself or my abilities, but Assumption changed everything for me.
Assumption is more than a high school. It is my family, a community where faith guides, compassion inspires, excellence empowers and integrity matters. Guided by these pillars, Assumption has shaped me into someone who understands who she is and knows she can make a difference.
Faith has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. When I first came to Assumption, I felt disconnected from that part of my life. That began to change in my religion classes. Teachers like Ms. Johnstone and Mrs. Lincoln taught me that the Catholic Church is not just about belief, but about action.
This idea came to life for me at the Sisters of Mercy Student Leadership Conference in Chicago. Meeting girls from across North and South America who shared my values was incredibly powerful. In just four days, we formed deep connections while focusing on issues like refugees and social justice.
It showed me what it looks like to live out faith in a real way. From non-violence symposiums to learning about Dorothy Day, Assumption has given me the opportunities, lessons and role models to help me live out my faith. Now, I try to live my faith daily by being kind and advocating for people who don’t have the same opportunities.
Compassion is something I experience every day at Assumption. My service experience has shown me that it isn’t just about helping people or doing good deeds, but about human connection and the relationships you form.
The most meaningful experience was my time at Nazareth Home, where I befriended an 84-year-old resident. Simply listening to her stories and asking for advice allowed her to feel valued, and it showed me the importance of human dignity.
She changed me for the better, and I still visit her each week. My service has taught me that small acts can have a great impact. I now make it a goal to ensure others feel seen, included and valued.
Integrity and excellence have shaped who I am by teaching me to do the right thing and stay true to myself, even when it is difficult. With guidance from Ms. Wesley, I learned the importance of accountability.
I push myself academically by taking challenging classes and striving for strong grades, but I have learned that excellence is more than that. It is about stepping outside my comfort zone, like joining Speech and Debate and becoming a school ambassador. It is also about showing up for others and supporting my Assumption sisters.
Through these experiences, I have learned that true excellence comes from growth, perseverance and community.
Assumption has transformed me into a confident, compassionate and faith-driven young woman. Excellence is no longer just about grades, but about growth, relationships and lifting others up.
As I prepare for graduation, I realize that I am not really leaving at all. Assumption has become a part of me through every lesson, every challenge and every moment of growth. I find comfort in knowing that Assumption and the pillars that have shaped me will always be here for me, and I am grateful that generations of girls before me, and those still to come, will share such a meaningful gift.
The growing years at Assumption
Katie Robinson
I was always told that high school is considered “the growing years” — the years when you learn a lot about yourself through the positives and the negatives.
The advice that I was given before entering high school was to surround yourself with the right people — the people who will celebrate your wins and comfort you after a loss.
Let’s face it, high school is hard, and anyone who tells you different is sugarcoating it, so where you go to high school can make all the difference.
For me, growth began the moment I decided not to follow my sister’s footsteps. My sister, two years older than me, went to another high school, and for a while, that seemed like the path that I was supposed to follow. But I felt the need to explore my other options, and that decision led me to Assumption.
The moment I shadowed Assumption, I knew it was special. There was a warmth that filled the hallways, a sense of belonging that I felt even as a visitor. Students were engaged, teachers were welcoming and there was an energy that I couldn’t put into words at the time.
Looking back now, I realize what I was witnessing: growth. People wanted to be there. They wanted to learn, connect and become better versions of themselves.
Field hockey became my first true glimpse of how Assumption shapes its students. Making varsity as a freshman was exciting but intimidating. I was one of three freshmen on a team filled with upperclassmen.
Coach Schaefer guided us with just the right balance — holding our hands at first, then gradually letting us step into our roles. She taught me that growth doesn’t always happen at the same pace for everyone, and that setbacks are opportunities in disguise.
Those lessons helped me evolve not only as an athlete but as a person, which led me to become a team captain my senior year.
After my first semester at Assumption, I began to realize that growth didn’t just occur on the field. Academically, Assumption challenged me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. Teachers didn’t just expect us to complete assignments — they encouraged us to think deeply, ask questions and truly engage with what we were learning.
Even on difficult days, I knew I had a team of teachers ready to help me succeed.
Among them are teachers like Mrs. Cleasant, who constantly remind me of who I can become and show me the path to get there; Mrs. Kirwan, who always makes me feel seen and gives out the best advice; Mrs. Mattingly, who has a way of making me laugh at just the right moment; and Mrs. Deweese, my guidance counselor, who is always there to listen and step in with a calming voice when things get overwhelming.
Through it all, the community of Assumption has provided stability. Teachers and coaches remind us to take lessons from both success and difficulty, to find meaning in every experience, and to trust the process of growth.
Assumption has encouraged me to move forward with confidence and has shaped me into a stronger person than I was when I first walked through those doors.
Assumption provides space for growth
Nikita Nair
Every morning, Assumption urges us to take a moment of mindfulness. Initially, not understanding the purpose, my brain would immediately jump to everything I had to do that day. Over time, I’ve learned how to actually pause for a second and reset before moving on. Assumption has provided me with a space to pause, reflect and approach challenges more deliberately, even when just beginning the day. Because of Assumption, it became clear that meaningful growth takes time.
The outcomes of grades, tests and responsibilities once dominated my daily life and created a constant sense of urgency. Classes at Assumption emphasize understanding the subject matter over simply memorizing and being correct. I’ve had to get comfortable not knowing answers right away, especially in calculus, when the first answer is rarely the correct one.
Having the opportunity to seek support from teachers and the Achievement Center at school, I learned to slow down and approach tasks step by step. This made a bigger difference than trying to do everything perfectly.
Opportunities to take initiative at Assumption further shaped my personal growth. For example, working with my peers and Mr. Armstrong to advocate for a calculus III class taught me that growth is about finding solutions instead of just following the status quo.
Assumption’s faculty and staff drove me to question the current system and advocate for change so that the community would best reflect the needs of the students. Mrs. Fieldhouse played a huge role in taking the idea of the calculus III class into faculty meetings so that student voices and concerns would be acted upon.
Even small gestures in class stuck with me, like Profe writing “que tengas un buen dia” at the bottom of our homework. It’s simple, but it reminded me that positivity matters.
Assumption has taught me values and skills beyond the knowledge from my classes. Completing a healthcare internship I found through school, I have had the opportunity to be positive, patient, attentive and to care deeply for others, demonstrating the growth I have experienced in my time at Assumption. I now carry a new understanding of what my path forward requires. My growth throughout high school extends far beyond the classroom, shaping not only my readiness for future challenges but relishing the opportunity to serve others.
