Student of Distinction
Megan Heerey
Student of Distinction
January 2019
Monsignor McClancy
Memorial H.S.
Forest Hills, NY
SPONSORED BY
Starting the new year with an
article expounding the merits of a
lauded Senior seems fi tting. It is our
distinct pleasure to introduce Megan
Heerey from Monsignor McClancy
Memorial High School (MMMHS)
who exemplifi es the true Renaissance
person.
Throughout her enrollment at
MMMHS, Megan’s academic excellence
has not gone unnoticed. She
was selected for memberships in
both the National Honor Society and
the Spanish Honor Society; attained
Principal’s List status each semester,
commencing in her Freshman Year;
completed several Advance Placement
courses and excelling on their
exams; and received the American
History Award during Junior Year.
It is not surprising she was selected
Student Council President by
the faculty and students. While serving
on the Student Council she acts
as Student Ambassador for incoming
freshman on buddy days. She also
collaborates with faculty, staff and
other students for the Middle States
Planning Team. Ever the contributor,
she is always eager to help the
Alumni/Advancement Offi ce with
myriad school events and functions.
Not only is she a valued contributor
of time and energy in the classroom
and for events, she is also one
My is
of MMMHS’s all stars on the playing
fi elds. Her star shines brightly for
Track and Field, Softball, and Soccer.
The team and Megan excel on the
track, where Megan, as sprinter, was
named: Indoor Most Valuable Athlete,
Freshman Year; Outdoor Most
Valuable Athlete, Sophomore Year
and Junior Year; and School Record
Holder in the 55m Hurdles.
On the Softball Field, as Pitcher,
both she and her team received merit
for their feats. Among her achievements
are: 2016 Freshman Year,
Perfect Game, No Hitter, MVP Award
and 2016 The Tablet All-Star; 2017
CHSAA City Championship, and
Tier 2 First Team All-Star; and, in
2017, Junior Year, Winning Coaches
Award, and Tier 2 First Team All-Star.
Senior year bodes well, too.
She is Defender on Soccer. For the
CHSAA, she serves as Captain and
won the 2018 CHSAA City Championship,
New York City Mayor’s Cup
Gerard O’Riordan, Director of
Athletics and Social Studies Teacher
enthuses, “In athletic competition,
Megan sets the bar very high. On
the soccer pitch, she is a three-year
starter for the Varsity Soccer team.
A sprinter for the track team, she has
set several school records. And, as
starting pitcher, she pitched a no-hitter
in her fi rst game during freshman
year. Since that time, she has pitched
a perfect game and led the team to
a city championship. Recently, she
was recognized by all our school’s
coaches and named representative
to our league-wide Catholic High
School Athlete Advisory leadership
group. In her senior year, I am
confi dent her leadership skills and
willingness to set an example will
result in her being named captain on
each of the three teams.”
The Head Track and Field Coach,
Pat Civitano, concurs. He states, “She
is a focused and determined student
who is willing to take any task that
comes her way. She is always quick
on her feet, with sensible reactions
in all circumstances. Younger kids on
the team look up to Megan for guidance.
She has that competitive spirit
you want to see in all your athletes
and has scored on the Brooklyn-
Queens level at Championship meets
in her respective running events.”
Off the fi eld Megan is a member
of the Library/Sci-Fi Club, the
Yearbook Club and Senior Leader
for Freshman Orientation. Writing
is another skill she employs with a
passion, winning 2018 Best Sports
Article, “Miracle on 31st Avenue,” by
The Tablet.
Clearly team spirit and an
"#$%
Player.
aptitude for achievement are all
strong characteristics she possesses.
Compassion is another.
According to O’Riordan, “Megan
feels our nation has given her many
opportunities and wants to give back
in the form of service. Her uncle died
in the terrorist attacks on September
11th, 2001, and, ever since she was
old enough, she has felt the yearning
to serve for him and for her family.
Megan’s main focus is to fi nd a
career that will bring positive change
to society and help people in any
way she can.”
Helping others is evident through
her involvement with Campus Ministry
and several charitable acts. She
assists at school masses with biblical
readings and is a leader in the Clothing
Drive, Toy Drive, Coat Drive and
Annual Christmas Event at Our Lady
of Sorrows. She is Extraordinary Minister
of Holy Communion (Eucharistic
Minister).
Her accomplishments are recognized
by Principal Jim Castrataro
who observes, “Megan volunteers
in the offi ce of the principal every
morning before school starts. I have
witnessed her growing as a student
into an accomplished young woman
who is friendly, helpful, confi dent,
and respectful with outstanding work
habits. She is very well liked and
respected by both her peers and her
teachers. She has tremendous potential
and I am confi dent she is going
to make it big in anything she does.”
Most importantly, according to her
peers, Principal, coaches, and teachers,
she is a great person.
Congratulations Megan!
!
TIMESLEDGER,18 JAN. 11-17, 2019 TIMESLEDGER.COM
/TIMESLEDGER.COM
