HAMDEN- Claire Donelan ’18 (Fairfield) and Avishan Montazer ’18 (Hamden) were selected to represent Sacred Heart Academy at the Southern Connecticut Conference’s (SCC) 24thScholar Leader Banquet. At the event, 46scholar leaders, two from each member school, were recognized for outstanding scholarship and leadership in their respective schools and communities.
Claire Donelan ’18
Some students raise the bar. They work harder, show more passion, and lead by example in the classroom, on the field, and in their communities. Claire is one of those students; she leads with confidence, inclusivity, and focus and others follow.
A member of Student Council all four of her years at Sacred Heart, Claire also served as class president sophomore, junior, and senior years. As a senior she was co-president of Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK) Club and was an active member of the Pro-Life Club, Key Club, and French Club.
Inthe classroom, Claire views her most challenging course as her most enjoyable one. She was named to the Sacred Heart honor roll all four years and was a member of the French National Honor Society.
A four-year varsity field hockey and lacrosse athlete, Claire captained the lacrosse team junior and senior years and the field hockey team during senior year. In the fall she was named to the All-State first team and the All-State academic team for field hockey.
In her community, Claire is on the board of the National Charity League, where she has served as tea chair, father daughter chair, corresponding secretary, vice president; currently, she serves as president. In the fall, Claire was recognized with the Wendy’s High School Heisman which honors the accomplishments of the best high school seniors in the nation. These esteemed students share the values of giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, and excelling in the classroom and on the athletic field.
Claire spends summers working as a life guard and camp counselor at Fairfield Beach Club where she enjoys working with elementary school children.
In the fall Claire will enroll at the University of Tennessee where there is no question that her voice and her presence will make an impact. She plans to major in business or marketing and communications.
Avishan Montazer’18
Avishan is a strong-minded and enthusiastic individual. She is also a natural and compassionate leader, an innovator, a voice for her peers, and a shoulder when they need it.
During her time at Sacred Heart, she has taken six AP classes and two UConn Early College Experience (ECE) classes. She earned high honors all four years, and is a member of National Honor Society, and the Math, Science, and Spanish National Honor Societies. During sophomore year Avishan placed second on the National Spanish Exam, and as a junior, third.
Avishan was a member of Student Council all four years, this year serving as president of the executive board. She was co-president of Key Club, a member of Peer Connection and Prom Committee, and had leads in the musical in junior and senior years. For her sense of community spirit and academic excellence, Avishan earned the Villanova Alumni Association Book Award as a junior.
Outside of school, Avishan volunteers with the non-profit Couture for Charity. Her involvement was inspired by her mother’s nine-year battle with breast cancer. She serves as director of social marketing and hopes to continue partnering with this organization while in college.
During the summer preceding senior year, Avishan interned at AXA Advisors researching mutual funds and variable annuities, and reviewing initial projections of life insurance.
Avishan says that her leadership positions at Sacred Heart have taught her to work well with others and how to lead. She will attend UConn, where she intends to major in material science and economics. This remarkable young women is sure to leave her mark.
