Dedicated scholar. Three-season athlete. Published author. Valedictorian of the Class of 2024. And in bed by 10:30 every night? Hana is a well-rounded individual, who has given much to Montrose, for which we are thankful, and her caring personality has established her as an example to others. Her role as Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Looking Glass has added to her impact.
Hana also made her mark in Cross Country and Track, culminating in her captainship this year. One of the impacts these team experiences had on Hana was a lesson of leadership, as teammates before her taught her “what does a good teammate look like? What does a captain look like?” She recounted a particular Cross Country meet when she was still in middle school, one of her first championships. She started running and “everything [was] great, until about halfway through,” when she had a wheeze/cough and overall just “a terrible situation.” She was stumbling up the hill, and it was not a good run. But it isn’t a bad memory for her to look back on, because her teammates were there, cheering her on. This memory is just one example of the lessons she learned of “how to be there for one another, [and] support teammates, especially younger ones.” This lesson of comradery and leadership is something Hana “learned by example,” and one that she hopes she has been imparting and living.
I also asked Hana about her capstone, about the impacts of the loss and importance of a liberal arts curriculum in a STEM focused world, and if that had any influence on her biobuilders experiences. Hana’s biggest takeaway was that “it doesn’t matter, necessarily, how good your science is, if you just can’t explain it.” She eloquently exemplified this when teaching others about Salmonella as a part of her co-published Biobuilders project. Finding the balance between explaining simply without watering down the science can be difficult, but important not only for Biobuilders, but in a larger scientific world. In fact, I learned from Hana that MIT (where Hana will be attending next year) has a very strong Humanities division, which “reflects that you need to be able to communicate well.”
I think the importance of knowing how to communicate your ideas and speak well was reflected in Hana’s 2024 Valedictorian speech, where she encouraged the new graduates to take the next steps in their very journeys, echoing the beloved lessons of Dante. She quoted Dante as he leaves Purgatory, when Dante moves forward to paradise without Virgil, who had been his guide up until that point. Hana encouraged the graduates to compare themselves to Dante, and to think of all the Virgils who had been with them so far, as they moved on to the next chapter of their own journeys. Not only did her speech tie in the class of 2024’s love of Dante (and their love of Ms Rice), but it was a thoughtful message. Hana’s words were applicable to the graduates as they move on from Montrose and everyone else in attendance, because everyone has their own Virgil.
Another piece of wisdom Hana imparted on me is that “good things take time.” (Even though it may sound cliche, it has been true for her journey!) For example, when she was applying to summer programs in her junior year, she was rejected from four in a row. While that was a hard time and she had to come to terms with doing something else with her summer, the program she got into in May was really helpful in “determining her major, and what she wants to do in life […] and overall a good experience.” You have to be patient for the worthwhile things. That waiting just gives you “more opportunities for growth;” and, even when you’re feeling discouraged, remember “no door is ever really closed.”
As far as Hana’s Montrose legacy, I feel Hana has truly accomplished her goal of being an inspiration to younger students who look up to her. In addition, Track teammate, Elisabeth Smith ‘28 recounted: “After getting to know her, I found that Hana is so kind and friendly, and she always will take time out of her day to say ‘hi’ in the halls or answer any question I have. I am so lucky to have gotten to know her during my years at Montrose.” Hana’s mentorship and shining example will outlast her, and Elisabeth Halberstadt ‘26 added: “she leads by example, and inspires me to reach for greatness with joy.”
And I know I can say that for me, personally, Hana has been a Virgil in my Montrose career, especially in these last few months– mentoring me on the ins-and-outs of the Looking Glass executive editorial responsibilities. Talking with Hana always promises a fair bit of humor and wit, and I will truly miss those opportunities next year. Thank you, Hana, for everything that you have done for the Montrose community. We can’t wait to hear about the continuance of your own Dante’s journey at MIT, and I hope life continues to treat this graduate well! Fortunately, MIT is not far away, and we hope you visit often.
Amelia White, Editor-in-Chief
25awhite@montroseschool.org
