Recent graduate says it was because of Notre Dame's art program, academics and numerous extracurriculars that he heads to the University of Chicago so well prepared for a career in medicine.
Notre Dame Prep graduate Kyle Conroy is heading to the University of Chicago in the fall.
His journey to a career in medicine begins at the University of Chicago in the fall, where he will be studying biology along with either a double major or a minor in Spanish.
But, he acknowledges, that journey actually began much sooner. Say four years sooner, which is when he enrolled at ND Prep after spending his 8th grade in Notre Dame's middle school. Conroy, who was one of Notre Dame Prep's 22 valedictorians this year, said the fact that NDP offers such a well-rounded and broad swath of academics, athletics and extracurriculars, he is graduating well-prepared for anything the next level will throw at him.
Tools to succeed
"Notre Dame Prep has played a huge role in my life in giving me the tools and resources to make my dreams possible," he said. "Academically, I was challenged to work my hardest and to achieve more than I could have ever thought possible."
In terms of sports, Conroy participated on Fighting Irish cross country, wrestling, and track and field teams, earning a varsity letter in each sport at least once in each of his four years at NDP.
Conroy, whose twin brother, Michael, also graduated this year from NDP, credits Notre Dame’s art, academics and many extracurriculars for preparing him well for college and a career.
As far as extracurricular activities, Conroy is very proud of being on student council and working his way up to becoming president during his senior year. But he also got involved in a host of other clubs, including the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.
"I also joined campus ministry's peer leader program for a year, and was a student ambassador during my senior year," he said. "Overall, I had a very positive experience at Notre Dame Prep! It truly allowed me to explore things I was interested in, to be super-involved in just about every aspect of my high school experience and perhaps most important, to cultivate long-lasting friendships."
Role models abound
Conroy also gives big props to Notre Dame'e teaching staff. When pressed to name a couple of examples, he didn't hesitate.
"If I have to name two teachers at NDP who have been incredibly influential during my high school experience, it will have to be Mrs. [Sandra] LewAllen and Mr. [Nicholas] Kator," he said. "These two teachers represent to me two of the main reasons it was so enjoyable to come to school every day: art and student council."
Beginning with LewAllen, who was Conroy's International Baccalaureate visual art teacher, he said she is possibly one of the best overall individuals he's ever met — and probably will ever meet.
"She takes a genuine interest in her students, and she works hard to develop the sometimes hidden artist that lies within each of us," said Conroy, who became a national award-winning artist during his senior year.
Conroy’s ”Where I’ve Been,” a drypoint etching that won a silver award in the 2018 National Scholastic Art and Writing competition.
"I will always be thankful that I had a teacher like Mrs. LewAllen, who not only taught me incredibly well, but who has been an influential role model for me in the way that she selflessly helps others without thinking about herself," he said.
In Kator's case, according to Conroy, he's also become an incredible role model for him, especially in the context of student council, for which Kator serves as the moderator.
"As student council moderator, Mr. Kator has been able to guide me during my last four years on council and help lead me to the council presidency this past year," Conroy said. "He has opened the door to so many leadership opportunities in my life, including the opportunity to go to student council events on the state and national levels, in addition to a student council leadership camp the past two summers."
Conroy also enjoyed Kator's sense of humor.
"Mr. Kator, apart from being an amazing student council moderator, is one of the funniest and kindest people I have ever known," he said. "I think he actually models his position on stuco very similar to the way he raises his kids, and like Mrs. LewAllen, shows a genuine interest in us. I am proud to say that because of Mr. Kator, I applied for and was accepted to CVFC (College Volunteers Facilitators Corps), a college volunteer group that hosts special events and initiatives throughout the state of Michigan. It also will allow me to continue with my leadership journey in college."
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.