Olivia Figueiredo
Hi, I am Olivia.
I am a high school junior at Sacred Heart Greenwich. I am passionate about writing (I am a Gold Key Scholastic Award Winner) and building things. I love creating works of art and composing music on the piano (I am self-taught). I am a chess tournament champion and I never shy away from competition. I play soccer all year, I have been a starter varsity soccer goalkeeper since my sophomore year and I was twice elected the Captain of my club team, the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), where I was the recipient of the "Player of the Year Award" for 2023-2024. I have played on the FAA, NEPSAC, and USYS Nationals Quarter Finals. I also compete as a junior varsity squash player for Sacred Heart.
As an Art Editor for Sacred Heart's Perspectives magazine, a National Award-winning publication, I increased student participation nine-fold by organizing information sessions and by establishing social media accounts where students are invited to submit works of art/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 revived Sacred Heart's Bird Watching Club and promoted participation by 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 was also head of the 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 Fairfield County.
I am a first generation American, my parents were born in South America and we speak Portuguese at home. I also speak Spanish and have won medals for both languages from the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers (CT COLT). I am a proud recipient of the 2023 Mary Patricia Haberle ’65 Award - "Awarded to one member of the Freshmen class for her enthusiasm and determination in school life."
Fun fact: I can solve a Rubik's cube in 38 seconds.
Highlights
Physics Honors, Chemistry Honors, Biology Honors, English Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, Spanish Honors, History AP
2024-2025 Elected Art Editor of SHG's Perspectives Magazine, a National Award-winning publication (Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ASPA, NCTE)
2025 Honor Roll Junior at Sacred Heart Greenwich
2025 Honor, Heart, Hustle Award for Squash
2025 One of five students invited by the Head of School to revamp the school's website
2024 Honor Roll Sophomore at Sacred Heart Greenwich
2024 Chess Master Tournament Champion at Sacred Heart Greenwich
2024 Published Work
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Voices, A Multilingual Art and Literary Magazine
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The Pearl Cardinal, a Memoir
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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
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Vidro Colorido, Digital Illustration
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2024 Perspectives Magazine, Communications
2024 Spring Digital Art Winner - A Midsummer Night's Dream
2024 Spring Digital Art Winner – Frankenstein Poster
2023 Honor Roll Freshman at Sacred Heart Greenwich
2023 Scholastic Writing Award – Gold Key Winner Personal Essay & Memoir. The “Nation’s longest-running, most prestigious, recognition program for creative teens” (2,247 works submitted, 148 Gold Keys awarded)
2023 The Mary Patricia Haberle ’65 Award - "Awarded to one member of the Freshmen class for her enthusiasm and determination in school life"
2023 CT Council of Language Teachers – Poetry Recitation Contest - Bronze Medal – Spanish HS 2
2023 Ranked CT State Chess Association Player
2023 Selected Artist “Art of the Week” King Street Chronicle
2021-2022 Barat Scholar at Sacred Heart Greenwich - highest academic award to eight graders
2022 CT Council of Language Teachers - Poetry Recitation Contest First Place Winner - Portuguese Heritage
2021 The League of Women Voters of Greenwich, Connecticut Honorable Mention at the Second Annual Essay Contest for students celebrating the first female Vice President Kamala Harris
Scholastic Gold Key
Award Winner
Out of 2,247 works submitted.
Soccer
CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: https://youtu.be/CWB_OFh-fnw?si=UW6qEc5SdyLP5hbw
New York City Football Club, Goalkeeper 2022-2025
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Team Captain U162025
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2024 United States Youth Soccer National League - Quarter Finalist
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2023-2024 Player of the Year Award – New York City Football Club (started an average of 80% of all games)
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Team Captain U162024
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New York Champions Cup – 1st Place
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EDP North Atlantic League Champions
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NY State Cup – Quarter FinalistSacred Heart Greenwich Varsity Soccer Goalkeeper
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USYS Nationals Quarter-Finalist
Varsity Soccer at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Goalkeeper 2022-2024
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Soccer Varsity Starter Goalkeeper at Sacred Heart Greenwich (started 90% of games, played 95% of regulation time)
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New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC)
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2023 Quarter Finalist - Class “A”
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Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA)
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Regular Season Champions, Undefeated
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Tournament Champions
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Tournament Champions
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Varsity B Soccer at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Goalkeeper 2021-2022
Greenwich United Premier Soccer League, Goalkeeper 2019-2021
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CT State Cup Semi-Finalist
Team 8A, Sacred Heart Greenwich, Goalkeeper 2019-2020
My Art
Sacred Heart Greenwich's Perspectives Magazine, Art Editor 2024 and Social Media Manager (2023-2024)
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National Award-winning publication (Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ASPA, NCTE)
Sacred Heart Greenwich's Perspectives Magazine, Communications Manager
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
-
Hands, Charcoal Drawing
-
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Perspectives Magazine
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Vidro Colorido, Digital Illustration 2024
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Digital Art Winner – Frankenstein Poster 2024 (Spring)
Digital Art Winner - A Midsummer Night's Dream 2024 (Fall)
King Street Chronicle 2023
Squash
Junior Varsity at Sacred Heart Greenwich 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Honor, Heart, Hustle Award 2025
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Most Improved Player Award 2024
My Music
I am a self-taught piano player. Here is one of my own compositions.
Also, here is a clip of the Sacred Heart Madrigals at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
A quick clip of fun times with my ukulele.
Service
Casa da Sopa - Soup Kitchen Volunteer since 2017
Gardening Club (2023 - Present)
The Barat Center - Early Childhood Education (Summer 2023)
YWCA Greenwich Volunteer (2021)
National Charity Association Volunteer (2019-2020)
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 who has 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."