The 2023-2024 school year is my first and last year with my sister Isabela Pap (Pappy), a graduating senior. Pappy has inspired me to take opportunities and risks I never thought I would have taken, like auditioning for the first time in a theater production.
I have been able to see Pappy in action through the musicals in which I have been involved. In Willy Wonka Jr. (the middle school musical) and Steel Magnolias (the upper school play), she was a brilliant Assistant Director. Pappy was a diligent stage manager in Annie (the all school musical). Through her behind-the-scenes-stage management, I could see just how dedicated she was to musicals and to her extra curricular activities. Pappy also acted in Into the Woods Jr., which was her first musical performance where I got to see a glimpse of her acting. It was astonishing to see her perform again for the last time in the One Act play: Final Dress Rehearsal. In fact, one of her favorite memories from Montrose happened during tech week of these productions. Pappy remarked: “My favorite Montrose memories probably all happened during tech week. From buying and eating a cake every single day of tech week with Phinney and Chloe, to irresponsibly using my phone mid-run-through to answer Monica’s call, to singing along to every song over headset during rehearsal, my favorite memories all include tech and my friends, who made those memories memorable.”
Even though Pappy put so much time and effort into these productions, she also participated in many Montrose clubs. She led the Walrus Creative Writing Club and was the Creative Writing Editor for the Looking Glass for the past two years. Pappy encouraged me to be an editor for the Looking Glass and I am so thankful she did because without her I would not be writing articles like this one. She was part of the Respect Life Club, a National Honor Society tutor, and a member of Junior Classical League. As for academics, Pappy found her teachers to be helpful and fun in her classes, especially in math. Pappy also shared: “My favorite Montrose class was Ms. O’Malley’s Pre-Calc class that I took my Junior year. I’m not a math person, but she made that class so fun. I learned to like math a little better because of her.”
Through Pappy’s six years at Montrose, she has learned so much from teachers and those around her, including the ability to have a courageous conversation. I have also definitely learned at least one thing from Pappy every day. Whether it is about the Eggo waffle packaging or random songs Pappy plays in the car that turn out to be some of my favorites, I am always learning something from her or discovering something new. When I would see her in the halls or between classes, she would smile and wave back. Even that little gesture brightened my day no matter what mood I was in. During my time at Montrose, I have found that she is also friendly to everyone (even those she does not know), which is one of the reasons I am proud to call her my sister. I will finish up with something about Montrose that Pappy will miss when she continues her journey through life as a crusader at The College of the Holy Cross: “One thing that I will miss about Montrose is Musical Chairs. Montrose plays Musical Chairs like it’s the end of the world, and I love it.” Pappy will definitely miss Montrose and I know that Montrose will miss Pappy, too!
By Eloisa Pap ‘30, Clubs and Classes Editor
