Kate Cressey and Sydney McMahon

Sydney McMahon and Kate Cressey spell out YHS in Sign Language.
Sydney McMahon and Kate Cressey spell out “YHS” in Sign Language.

Playing in softball tournament after softball tournament year-round can be tough to handle, especially if it means missing out on Friday night football games and Homecoming dances. However, junior and Stanford University softball commit Kate Cressey does her best to handle everything on her plate. Even with school and softball taking up much of her time, Cressey still loves being able to spend time with her friends. It is clear that for Cressey, even if she cannot participate in the typical high school social events all the time, friends are a priority.

“I don’t get to do a lot of the social stuff, but some of my favorite things are doing homework with my two closest friends and being able to talk to people about classes,” Cressey said.

Friendships, school and athletics are all important to Cressey. While taking a shower, she often thinks about how she might prepare for her next test or how she has to organize her next day. She also mentioned that she likes science and history in school, which led to her choosing between being a hunter or gatherer in an ancient civilization.

“I would say a hunter because I like physical activity … but I’m not that brave so I would say a gatherer in that case. Maybe a mix of both.” Cressey said.

Cressey also shared that in ten years, at twenty-six years old, she sees herself in California, pursuing a career in medicine. She does, however, want to eventually end up just outside a large city, such as Chicago or Boston, where she can experience all four seasons.

“I’ve actually thought about [where I would want to live] a lot. I really like being near a city … so maybe just outside a city, like we are now with D.C.,” Cressey said.

Although Cressey has put serious thought into her future, she can still be fun and easy-going. If given the chance, she would throw a Harry Potter themed party, based on her love of the series, or one that was tropical-themed, due to her love of travel and warm vacation spots.

Cressey’s fun and bubbly personality definitely came out during conversation. Through laughs and smiles, she admitted her love for chocolate chip waffles, her disbelief in Nessie and Bigfoot and her loyalty to Boston sports teams. So whether on the softball field, or walking around the hallways, Cressey is sure to have a smile on her face.
High school is known for being challenging and time consuming, yet for senior Sydney McMahon the obstacles do not phase her one bit. It is obvious that McMahon will fly through senior year due to her advanced organizational skills, scientific abilities and calm personality.

“I would say I am an organized person and I have many planners and to do lists,” McMahon said.

As a result, planners and to do lists would be the objects she thinks best describe her. It would only fit that with her free time she would organize things for fun.

“It really depends. If I have a good book, I will read a book, but if I do not have a book that I am reading … I like to clean my room and organize it,” McMahon said.

Organizational skills are very important for excelling in school, and especially in science, McMahon’s favorite subject.

“I am in Advanced Placement (AP) Biology right now and I really like it. I was in Physics last year, which I did not like because I really like the biological and chemical sciences,” McMahon said.

When asked if she could see herself pursuing a career in the subject, her response confirmed her passion for biology and the sciences.

“I really like the idea of biomedical engineering even though it involves a lot of math. Also cellular or genetic biology. Definitely something biology related with humans,”  McMahon said.

Underneath her hard-working habits lives a calm and relaxed personality, one that greatly resembles a dolphin, her declared spirit animal.

“ I would say [my spirit animal is] a dolphin because they are intelligent and majestic, and somewhat calm,” McMahon said.

In addition to her calm personality, she is very caring, as shown in her response to what she would do if she could go back in time and fix or change anything.

“I was friends with someone at the end of middle school and we grew apart and things ended in a bad way. I would either not let it break off or have it end in a better way,” McMahon said.

Yet, one trait she wished she possessed is comedic skills. If she could choose a show to star in, she would be in The Office, but she has doubts she would fit the part.

“If I was funny enough I would want to star in The Office, but I do not know if I am funny enough for it. If I was choosing a drama I would probably choose The Vampire Diaries because I like the mystery, adventure and supernatural aspects to it, but it is also romantic,” McMahon said.

As for the one object a person would always see her with? Her phone of course, probably to look up pictures of Australia and skydiving tips. If McMahon could do anything for one day, skydiving would be her activity of choice.

“I would want to go skydiving, but I would also really want to go to Australia, so I would go skydiving in Australia!” McMahon said.

As she puts her dream destination and scientific goals on pause for high school, we can be sure to expect great things from this first year Sentry staff member.

 

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