I’ll admit that attending Cathedral was largely my father’s (Class of 1975) choice–something I initially resisted. However, as a member of the Class of 2008 I can say with certainty that attending Cathedral has been one of the most formative experiences of my life.

During my time at Cate, the pep rallies were particularly close to my heart, as they were moments when our entire class came together to create an all inclusive, absolutely electric atmosphere. After Cathedral I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Psychology. I am now hoping to graduate in 2018 with an M.D. from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine.

Currently, I am spending a year conducting neuroscience research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as a Howard Hughes Medical Fellow.

“What are you proudest of?”
I am most proud of the fact that I am part of a triple legacy at Cathedral (Jose Luis Porras, 1975 and Toby Porras, 2011). This is mainly because of the fact that Ms. Ulrickson taught all three of us our math and that has got to be some kind of record.

“What lesson from Cathedral do you carry with you?”
At the time it’s significance didn’t completely register, but the lesson of empathy is one of the most important lessons from Cathedral that I carry with me to this day. After graduating and seeing what life can throw at you, each day is an exercise in cultivating empathy for those around you. Reflecting on the leadership and example of the faculty at Cathedral makes me realize how fortunate I was to be shaped by such individuals. “

“Do you have a message (lesson/observation) for a current Cathedral student?”
Be a little audacious! I think that in order to grow, you should always try to surround yourself with people who are what you aspire to be. The moment you get comfortable is a sign that you are no longer living up to your potential. Don’t be afraid to approach people or situations that intimidate you – a little confidence will go a long way–and if at first you fail, experience is the best teacher.