Olivia Figueiredo
Hello,
I am Olivia Figueiredo.
"Olivia, you are an exuberant learner, steady class contributor, with strong work ethic, passion for literature and life alike. Your devotion to engaging both the intellect and imagination is infectious, as noted by other students who are drawn into the room when they see you working outside of class time."
Dr. Cristina Baptista
Ph.D., Fordham University
Class: American Literature Honors
In creating this site, I hope to share some of my many passions, hobbies, accomplishments, and much more. I love writing, creating art, and composing music (I am a self-taught piano player). Although I like all things humanities (theology, philosophy, English...), I also greatly value the math and sciences (a few examples include: a curiosity for coding and computational thinking, interests in biological study, as well as building and design).
I am a first-generation American; my parents are immigrants who were born and raised in South America. At home, we speak Portuguese, which further connects me to my culture. I also speak Spanish and have won medals for both languages from the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers (CT COLT).
I am the Editor-in-Chief for Sacred Heart's literary and art magazine, a national award-winning publication (Columbia Scholastic Press Association, American Scholastic Press Association, National Council of Teachers of English). I increased student participation by creating posters, reaching out to those in my school community, and establishing a more consistent social media account where students are invited to submit their works of art and writing by responding to 'idea spark' prompts. I also introduced music prompts to encourage musician students to submit their original work electronically, which magazine readers can then listen to by scanning published QR codes.
I have been playing soccer since I was five years old. I have been the starter goalkeeper and Captain of my club team, the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), for two years. I was the recipient of the "Player of the Year Award" for 2023-2024. I recently led our team to the United States Youth Soccer Nationals quarter finals in Arizona. I am also a starter varsity soccer goalkeeper (FAA undefeated champion) and junior varsity squash player. Click on the video link below for examples of my in-game saves!
I am inspired by nature and the environment. I participated in speaking at several school events where I invited students to enjoy nature trail walks through our 110-acre campus to learn about and to document several bird species. I am also an active (and starting) member of the Sacred Heart Garden Club where I worked to secure space on school grounds to plant fruits and vegetables later harvested and donated by students to soup kitchens across our county.
I believe in kindness and service. Since 6th grade, I have volunteered at a soup kitchen in Brazil alongside my grandmother and my younger sister. I want to be surrounded by impactful peers who use their individual talents to collectively leave a mark in the world.
I hope you enjoy the photos and videos below, thank you for visiting!
My Writing Samples
Pulling the String
It took approximately three tries. Mother caught us the first time and the second was simply luck, but now the string held tighter to the tin bucket standing at the hooks of the chandelier, prepared for its victim. Mother did not mind jokes much, especially the lighthearted ones, but she swore to the Lord that the next time we played this particular antic we would get a beating. I didn't believe her, neither did Mary or Daphne. She had too pure a heart to punish her lovely girls, though that left her only with three impish daughters whose time was too lengthy and whose minds were too wild.
"Sush Mary, you'll get us caught again," Daphne said, hushing their youngest who was whimpering worried remarks to her sisters.
"But mamma didn't like this trick Daph, she told us the first time. This ain't funny no more." Mary's brows pulled closely together as Daphne adjusted her place next to Didi. Mary's hands began to jitter as she'd always done when she was nervous, her face turning pale with anticipation while staring at the door. "What if it ain't her Didi, what if it's him?! Oh, we'll really get a beating then."
Bluebird
She removed the cartridge from the tonearm stand of her record player, delicately placing it onto the spinning red colored vinyl. With a scratch, the music filled the empty home with full vibrato, dancing in the air. In seconds, she joined in with the concert of sound, growing louder and louder as the vinyl turned. Her voice matched itself to each note, grasping the sad, the joyful, the distant with a familiarity only she knew. Those who heard her echoes understood her message but did not translate it, for it was her message alone to define.
Waltz
Capture her. Before her sparkle dies by his darkening gaze. She, hidden by the thundering shadows. She, an art covered by dust and torn rags. She, a prosperous promise whispered by His breath and built perfectly by His hand. Trap her. Before her smile goes. Waiting for his back to turn so that she may grin mischievously like an award won. Glod glows her crown and further burns her broken core. Cage her. Before she withers as they all do. As she attempts to create and birth impossibility, eternity laughs. Hollering at her weak mortality. Remember her. Her creator does not. Hold her. She searches miles and her silent trail flows deep under her scraping feet. Her breath, cold and wild. Picture her. Alive now, adding depth to this melancholic world. Wildly free.
Drunken Man
The bodyguards of the bustling hotel dragged the drunken man in blue out by each arm nearly tossing him to the stone floor as they left the building and pushing him further into the middle of the violent storm. The man sneered as the guards stood their ground by each side of the casino entrance waiting for him to turn his back and walk away into the lively night. The man lost himself in the money-making gold mine and as the cool wet droplets rushed into his face his body regained all consciousness of time. He looked up, adjusting his eyes, squinting, to recognize the shapes in front of him blurred by the fog that choked the sound of music from the machines inside. He found the street, the sidewalk, the cabs, the billboards, bit by bit, he pieced the unclear puzzle together. The wind blew at his hair sending chills down his spine and his newly bought blue suit turned darker from the unpredictable typhoon. He pulled a cigarette from his cross pocket offering it to the guards, neither responding nor reaching to accept. After finding his lighter in his breast pocket he patiently waited for it to ignite with each turn of the spark wheel, covering the cigar and the flame the best he could.
Highlights
Award or Activity | 12th Grade | 11th Grade | 10th Grade | 9th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Academic Awards | Ongoing | The Rafferty School-wide Annual Award in Writing (single student selected out of class of 280+) | Spring Digital Art Promotion - A Midsummer Night's Dream | Scholastic GOLD KEY Award in Writing, Personal Essay & Memoir (2,247 works submitted) |
The Rafferty School-wide Annual Award in Arts (single student selected out of class of 280+) | Spring Digital Art Promotion – Frankenstein Poster | The Mary P. Haberle ’65 Award "to one member of the Freshmen class for her enthusiasm and determination in school life" | ||
Artist “Art of the Week” King Street Chronicle Publication | The League of Women Voters of Greenwich, Connecticut - Honorable Mention at the Second Annual Essay Contest for students celebrating the first female VP Kamala Harris (end of Middle School). | |||
Perspectives Literary and Arts Magazine
(Awards: Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ASPA, NCTE) (4 Years)
| Editor-In-Chief | Arts Co-Editor and Communications Coordinator | Communications Coordinator | |
World Languages (8 Years) | Ongoing | Connecticut Council of Language Teachers - Gold Medal, 1st Place for Portuguese Heritage | Connecticut Council of Language Teachers - Bronze Medal, 3rd Place for Spanish HS 2 | |
Global Scholar (Individual Research Program on Global Affairs) (3 Years) | Matriculating into Completion | Member | Member | |
Club Soccer (Greenwich United and New York City Football Club - NYCFC) (12 Years) | New York City Football Club (NYCFC) – Starting Goalkeeper and Team Captain | New York City Football Club (NYCFC) – Starting Goalkeeper and Team Captain | New York City Football Club – Starting Goalkeeper | |
New York City Football Club (NYCFC) - Player of the Year Award | United States Youth Soccer (USYS) Nationals - Quarter-Finalist (NYCFC) | Greenwich United Premier Soccer – Starting Goalkeeper | ||
United States Youth Soccer (USYS) Nationals - Quarter Finalist | New York State Champions Cup – 1st Place | |||
EDP North Atlantic League Champion | ||||
Varsity Soccer (4 Years) | Ongoing | Varsity Starting Goalkeeper | Varsity Starting Goalkeeper | Junior Varsity Starting Goalkeeper |
Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Tournament, 2nd Place | Fairchester (Fairfield CT and Westchester NY Counties) Athletic Association (FAA) Regular Season Champions, Undefeated | |||
Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA), Tournament Champions | ||||
New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) - 2023 Quarter Finalist Class “A” | ||||
Varsity Squash (4 Years) | Ongoing | Junior Varsity A Player Honor, Heart, Hustle Award | Junior Varsity A Player Most Improved Player Award | Junior Varsity B Player |
Student Council (1 Year) | Art Selective Representative, Founding Member | |||
Chess Club (4 Years) | Club Head | Member and Chess Tournament Champion | Member | Member |
Garden Club (3 Years) | Member | Member | Starting Member | |
Ministry (2 Years) | Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion | Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion | ||
Peer Tutoring | Peer Tutor (English) | Peer Tutor (English) | ||
Service (6+ Years) | Ongoing | St. Mary’s Pastoral - Casa da Sopa Meal Preparation (unloading boxes, washing and cutting vegetables) & Distribution | St. Mary’s Pastoral - Casa da Sopa Meal Preparation (unloading boxes, washing and cutting vegetables) & Distribution | St. Mary’s Pastoral - Casa da Sopa Meal Preparation (unloading boxes, washing and cutting vegetables) & Distribution |
The Barat Center - Early Childhood Education Teacher's Assistant - PK2 & PK3 (80+ hours) | YWCA Greenwich Volunteer | National Charity Association, Volunteer |
Freshman Year:
Chorus
Foundations of Literature and Composition
Foundation of Art
Geometry
Intro to Programing & Python
Physics Honors
Spanish II Honors
Theological Foundations
World History Honors
Sophomore Year:
Algebra II w/ Trigonometry
AP World History: Modern
Chemistry Honors
Drawing & Painting I
English Literature Honors
Financial Literacy
Madrigals
Spanish III Honors
Scripture and the Arts
Junior Year:
American Literature Honors
AP English Language (AP Test)
AP US History
Biology Honors
Christian Morality, Ethics and Social Justice
Drawing and Paintain II Honors
Madrigals
Pre-Calc Honors
Peer Tutoring
Spanish IV Honors
Senior Year:
AP English Literature
AP Art Portfolio
AP Psychology
AP Spanish Language
Calculus
Madrigals
Peer Tutoring
Senior Seminar
(School limits the number of APs that a student can take each year)
April 12, 2025 - Writers Festival - Literary Magazine Editors for Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, and Sacred Heart Greenwich (Olivia Figueiredo, Perspectives Magazine)
Scholastic Gold Key
Award Winner (Writing)
Out of 2,247 works submitted.
Art
Published Work
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Voices, A Multilingual Art and Literary Magazine 2024
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Frankenstein, Digital Art Poster
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Hand, Pencil Drawing
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Hands, Charcoal Drawing
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Perspectives Magazine, National Award-winning publication (Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ASPA, NCTE)
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Vidro Colorido, Digital Illustration 2024
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Bluebird 2025
-
Waltz, Flash Fiction 2025
-
Squash
Music
Self-taught piano player (would love to learn how to play the pipe organ!).
Clip of the Sacred Heart Madrigals at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
A quick clip of fun times with my ukulele.
Service
Media & Publications
Teacher Testimonial
"Olivia, you are an exuberant learner, steady class contributor, with strong work ethic, passion for literature and life alike. Your devotion to engaging both the intellect and imagination is infectious, as noted by other students who are drawn into the room when they see you working outside of class time."
Dr. Baptista
Ph.D., Fordham University
Class: American Literature Honors
"Olivia, you are a conscientious, focused, and attentive learner. As a diligent student, you are not afraid of taking risks when problem-solving, asking questions, seeking clarification, and learning from your mistakes. You consistently work well in collaboration with others."
Ms. Spillane
M. Ed., University of Notre Dame
Class: Precalculus Honors
"Olivia, you have an infectious passion for learning, stemming from your insightful and curious questions."
Ms. Tockstein
M.A. Columbia University
Class: Biology Honors
"Olivia, your talent and skill as a visual artist are evident in everything you create. Your ability to produce process-based work demonstrates a strong command of technique and a thoughtful approach to your art. Trust your instincts - they are strong - and keep pushing yourself."
Mr. Peck
M.F.A., Yale University
Class: Drawing and Painting II Honors
"Olivia, you are a dedicated student. You have consistently shown a positive attitude and a genuine interest in Spanish. Your tests and written assignments reflect a solid understanding of the material. In class, you are an active participant in reading discussions."
Mrs. Garcia
M.A. The City College of NY
Class: Spanish IV Honors
"Olivia, your work is exemplary, you have a flawless understanding of the course."
Mr. McManus
M.A., University of Victoria
Class: Christian Morality, Ethics and Social Justice
"You have been a leader in the alto section and I have come to rely on you to help lead the younger members. You are conscientious in learning the music and having the correct notes. Your attendance is outstanding and you are always on time, even when you have early morning sports practice. Please continue with this wonderful work ethic and dedication."