Heather Farrell finds a way to balance STEM curriculum, Accents responsibilities, and countless service hours with humility and grace. Because of her outstanding work academics and achievements, she will be acting as salutatorian at graduation.

    Heather dedicates much of her time to others and works a countless number of volunteer positions. Heather is the vice president of Campus Ministry. She received the Spirit of Service award in ninth grade and since then has received both the gold and bronze Presidential Service Awards. She is currently a director, leading and planning a youth retreat for her church. Ms. Oblen had the chance to organize a Confirmation retreat with Heather and she had nothing but praise for Heather’s inspirational faith. Ms. Oblen said, “I also got to help run a Confirmation retreat alongside Heather at a local parish. I was able to see the Holy Spirit speak through her that day in a special way.”

    Heather works to foster curiosity and STEM ideals in each young girl she meets. She is a part of an organization called #builtbygirls which is a mentorship program for other young girls. She received the Girl Scout Gold Award for hosting STEM workshops every weekend to help young girls realize “princesses were not the only girls with power.” She is also the executive editor-in-chief on the school’s newspaper, Accents. She has devoted countless hours of her days to this paper and makes it a priority. Miss Mackin, Accents moderator said, “Heather might be an editor at Accents, but she has written herself a legacy at IHA. Since I met her as a freshman, she has continued to impress and astound me with the diversity of her abilities.” Heather challenges herself not only socially and through service but also academically. She has taken countless numbers of Advanced Placement classes and has excelled in all of them.

    Heather will be attending University of Notre Dame, majoring in applied mathematics in hopes to soon enter the path of actuarial science or quantitative finance. She says she will miss the sisterhood she has gained through her service work here at IHA. She will always remember giving Christmas gifts and Easter baskets to the children at Sacred Heart. Tess Szydlik said, “She’s taught me so much about selflessness and dedication, and gives so freely of herself which is truly beautiful.” Heather, we are so upset to be losing you this year and will miss you terribly! We look forward to your work in the future and know that the world will be a brighter place with you working in it!

By Emily Ash ’19, Co-Junior Editor-in-Chief