Monica Ronayne ‘25 is, per common agreement, a senior who shines her bright light and contagious joy wherever she goes. No matter what, she will always say hi in the halls and share a smile. Catherine Keane ‘31 and Manuela Martin ‘27, a sixth grader and a sophomore, both love Monica’s radiant personality and share their perspectives on how her presence brings joy, whether it is through her amazing Looking Glass articles, her vibrant acting on the stage, or hard work in Stud Gov. Clearly, Montrose will miss Monica dearly when she graduates, and we promise that she will never be forgotten.
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Manuela’s Perspective:
Reading her article made me cry. Maybe I was feeling emotional, or maybe it was the original and beautifully well-thought out way in which it was written, but she managed to make me cry. It was just 4 paragraphs long, but each of them transmitted such different and intense emotions that I could actually hear her voice and emotion while reading it.
In her article she talked about a senior that had already left, a senior that I might have not known but she was able to transmit in her writing how much she respected and loved her. I felt like she also deserved that honor, and so I felt like writing about her.
I must admit that I don’t even know her that well, so I might not be the right person to write about her. I haven’t even talked to her more than three times, but still, she makes you feel like a lifelong friend, or a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time and you’re just genuinely happy to see again. She’s the kind of person that lights up a room when she enters it, the kind of person that can light up your mood just by talking to you or just simply talking out loud.
I feel extremely lucky to be able to be at Montrose at the same time as her, even if I’m only staying for a short period of time. I can tell that this school wouldn’t be the same without her, it would definitely be and feel very empty and I can’t even imagine what the school would be like next year without her.
This person, if you haven’t already guessed, is a senior called Monica Ronayne. She’s a person that I believe can change your life just by entering it, the kind of person that I would love to have as a friend. Monica is a person that I’m very sure I will admire even more than I do now when I leave Montrose and she’s someone I definitely aspire to be like.
I know that I could never make her justice just with this article, but I hope that you’re at least able to get a slight idea of her dazzling and bright personality. If I have any regrets when I leave Montrose, I hope that none of them are not having been able to speak some more with her or not having been able to get to know her some more just because I was afraid of disappointing her, but I’ve come to realize that I can’t disappoint her, because she is a beautiful soul.
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Catherine’s Perspective:
This senior in the spotlight is Monica Ronayne. Monica went on the Vermont trip with the new sixth graders and earned a great reputation as a friendly senior. Monica would tell stories, joke around, and all the kids wanted to be in her bus.
“Monica is nice, funny, and always knows how to make someone smile,” says Francisca Feeney, Class of 2031. This is so true! Monica really does have a sense of humor, and is kind to middle schoolers and upper schoolers alike. And at Camp Mattakeesett many other people know Monica.
Marissa Irwin, sixth grader, says, “Monica is one of the best counselors at Camp Mattakeesett because she told us bedtime stories about her family and how they met and fell in love.”
Gabri Ottaviani ‘30 shares, “Monica is super inspiring both in her passions and her character. She tells amazing stories and is really kind.”
One of Gabri’s favorite stories of Monica’s was the one when her grandparents met. This is also a sixth grade favorite, retold many times. If you have never heard it, you should ask Monica for the full story. You will not be disappointed! Even more sixth graders share their thoughts about Monica.
“Monica is always so cheerful, and is such an inspiration to so many,” agrees Hope MacEvoy ’31.
Abby Kolinski ‘31 says, “Monica is really funny and always puts a smile on my face!”
Agreeing with Abby, Maggie Farr ‘31 comments, “She is genuinely nice and cares about others.”
The faculty and staff of Montrose love Monica no less than the students. As Mrs. Whitlock states, “Monica brings a spirit of generosity in showing kind curiosity to everyone. She’s an important school leader and a passionate student!”
Monica is the editor of the Arts and Entertainment section of the Looking Glass. She’s been a part of this since February 2023. Monica writes many different articles such as Why Don’t Catholics Eat Meat on Fridays in Lent? and Haiku Moon. You should definitely read her many articles and pieces; they are not to be missed. Monica writes about many different topics. She writes about religion, music, events, and school. Monica is unique in this way, for she has talents spanning to many different subjects. Monica is the founder of the Canon Club and is co-founder of Bible Study and Courageous Dialogue Club. She is also the manager of the softball team and is always participating in Montrose theatrical productions. As you may guess, Monica is a very religious person by helping with that club, and reads or sings at Enrichment masses. Monica loves to sing, which is also easy to guess, since she cantors at Mass and is part of the musicals. During Annie, she went outside and sang, but her microphone was on the whole time!
Monica is a “passionate student” and “hard working.” Her favorite subjects are AP English Literature, AP Government, and AP United States History. Monica is a very intelligent senior, as you can see, these are all APs! As you know, seniors are just a step away from college, a new chapter for them and their families. Talking about family, Monica has four amazing older brothers; Teddy, Mathieu, Luke, and Bennett. Monica also has a sweet, cute, cat named Holly, but called “Socks” or “Ebbie” by her and her family. In college, she’s thinking about majoring in English Literature and History because she wants to become a professor! Monica will become a great professor. I’m sure she will certainly have a class that loves her and her pizzazz!
Monica loves to express herself in music and drama. She was part of the devoted cast for Annie in 2024, her junior year. She starred as the girlfriend of Rooster, Lily St. Regis. The pair tried to fool Warbucks to get a money reward. Monica did a wonderful job in the all-school musical, and so did the entire cast. Congratulations to you all! This year’s middle school musical is the Wizard of Oz, starring Tess Martin. There is also the upper school performance is Babbette’s Feast, starring Emeline Liberge. The all-school play is Anastasia. I know Monica will succeed in any or all of these wonderful performances.
Amelia White, a senior, shares more about Monica’s passions and acting: “Monica is not one to shy away from anything, in any capacity of her life. Whether it’s stepping onto the stage to sing her heart out or dancing it out in the Commons with her shoes off and her beats headphones blasting, she commits to whatever she puts her mind to. She is authentically herself, an eloquent, somewhat dramatic, and a caring friend. Her laugh can be heard from down the hallway, and she’s always available to chat, from deep talks about what we believe in on the M&M floor to when I just need a friend to vent to about my latest petty grievance.”
How did Monica’s Montrose journey begin? How does her life as a Senior reflect the changes and challenges she’s conquered? As you may know, the senior experience is one that may be the happiest of them all. You get your own Commons space, you have strong bonds with all of your classmates, and you are preparing for the big step of college. But the work is difficult, and leaves the seniors quite busy. Many fresh seniors have admitted how overwhelmed they are with college applications, grades, and work. Monica also says that time management has been difficult for her. But, the senior year has an important past we must mention: the very beginning. When did Monica start at Montrose? Monica started in her sophomore year, and immediately befriended her entire grade. And, of course, girls not only in her grade.
“Monica is the person that lights up a room without fail every time she enters. She has this radiant light that brightens everyone’s day, and a grace that inspires others to be the best versions of themselves. Monica is also a person with contagious joy. If you ever see her in the halls, I am confident that she’ll greet you with her joy and classic flare and personality. She is an inspiration and an absolute gift from God to all of us at Montrose, and I can’t even begin to imagine how much she will be missed when she graduates. Monica leaves a bit of her goodness with everyone she has met, and is truly an inspiration and a role model to all of us,” says Kelly Ladino ‘27
“Something happens when you see Monica. It is a heavy urge you want to walk over to the smiling, laughing senior that stands before you. You just want to join in! I’m sure that you will want to chat the day away with her. Actually, I’m positive!” -Anonymous
What are some fun facts about Monica? Well, first of all, she has a phobia of cheese sticks. You see, it may sound funny, but would you like them if you saw someone take a cheese stick from their pocket, which was liquified? That’s not all! The kid lifted it to his lips and slurped it up! Yes. That is true. Second of all, think about a family heirloom. Something generational. Monica had a generational grandfather clock, which she sort of broke. Yeah… not good. Monica’s last fun fact was that in fifth grade her favorite animal was a great white shark. Isn’t that fun? They are super interesting, but you don’t want to see them right up close! If you want more of these silly, fun stories, you should talk to Monica!
Some of Monica’s favorite hobbies include oil painting, since she has an artistic eye, instruments (she plays so many they are impossible to count, and she succeeds in all of them), and literature. Monica loves to read!
I’m sure, after reading this piece, that you feel just like you’ve known Monica for all of her years at Montrose. That’s just what I was aiming for. I know that you will share the story of the inspiring senior again, and be inspired yourself of all the wonderful things she has achieved. Monica really is a shining light, and will never ever dim.
By Catherine Keane ‘31 & Manuela Martin ‘27, Contributing Writers
