Senior Kendra Mason described her time at Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Maryland, as filled with faith, close friends, engaged faculty members and ample opportunities to explore her passions.
“Honestly, [attending Holy Child] was like a gift from God, because I feel like it came at a time when I really needed it. I feel like before Holy Child, I was really quiet and reserved and very kept to myself. But Holy Child has let me expand, not just socially but also mentally. It’s really helped me really become who I am today,” Mason said.
Kendra Mason is a member of the Black Student Union, a representative for the senior class, worked on school musicals since junior year, and has been the basketball team captain during her junior and senior years.
Mason plans to attend McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, where she will play basketball and double major in political science and women and gender studies. Her future plans include a legislative job on Capitol Hill and potentially playing basketball overseas. Mason, who plays point guard and shooting guard, said WNBA players she looks up to include Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The highlight of Mason’s high school career was when Holy Child beat its rival, Georgetown Visitation. Mason describes it as the “highlight of her career” so far.
“I just remember when the buzzer went off at the end, I ran and we all came to the middle and started jumping up and down, and that was the first time Holy Child beat ‘Visi’ in years,” Mason said. “After the handshake line, we all ran to our student section and everyone was giving each other hugs. I remember the hug that I gave my dad, it’s such a special moment to me. I literally started crying, because I was like, ‘I can’t believe we did it.’”
The close game ended with a final score of 55-53.
Mason is a nondenominational Christian who shared how welcoming Holy Child has felt to her, and how she has still been asked to be involved in Mass and Kairos, a retreat for juniors she was able to help with her senior year.
“I actually painted one of the goal paintings here. We have seven goals, and mine was faith, so I depicted how Holy Child is really welcoming to everyone,” Mason said.
Mason said Holy Child has prepared her for college beyond academics, with an accepting atmosphere.
“Having people with different experiences than us. Even though we are at a private school and there are mainly people of the same race, I feel like we accept those who are different than us. We're just so open to people of different orientations or just being so accepting. So I think even though there is some improvement to be done, I feel like Holy Child does a great job making sure people are welcomed, and their voices are heard, Mason said.
Mason said Holy Child has helped her try new things without intimidation, such as participating in school musicals and playing volleyball and softball.
“I've never done those things before in my life or even thought about participating in the musical. That was really cool. But also, I just want someone to know that without God, I wouldn't even be here. I feel like my faith journey is so important to me, and I feel like someone should know that they could always be able to count on God whenever they need to. And don't be afraid to expand yourself and your abilities or keep pushing,” Mason said.