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Spotlight On: Murphy O'Brien, CCES Class of 2018
Murphy O’Brien presented me with her résumé in preparation for this article— a résumé that quite frankly blew me away. It resembles that of a veteran philanthropist, a CV of “good”, and a document that makes an extraordinary statement about her character. After careful consideration of The University of Denver, Santa Clara University, Boston College, TCU, University of Georgia, Northeastern University, and The University of British Columbia, Murphy chose The University of San Diego Honors College as her home come fall.
Throughout the college search there were a few major points on Murphy’s college checklist that she knew needed to be fulfilled. A beautiful location was first on her list. Box checked; The University of San Diego (USD) is arguably the prettiest campus in the nation. Secondly, according to Murphy “the school needed to encourage service and giving back to the world.” Check; The University of San Diego is one of forty Changemaker campuses globally. “Lastly,” she says, “the college I chose needed to be academically challenging, as coming from CCES I knew that taking rigorous courses only pushes you to achieve greater things.” Murphy plans to major in Business Administration and double minor in Marketing and Design.
Murphy moved to Greenville from Chicago in August of 2015, immediately enrolling in CCES. The change from a big public school in Chicago to a small private school was a major one, but one she claims made her a better person. “The Christ Church community was so incredibly welcoming that it made the transition much easier than I had anticipated,” she recalls. “Along with being academically challenging, CCES has provided me with several opportunities that I could have never imagined being involved in and it also gave me lifelong friendships. The past three years have been mentally and physically challenging, but I have grown so much and I owe CCES a huge thank you for setting me up to succeed in my future pursuits.”
Back to that near perfect resume. Murphy has played volleyball for four years and lacrosse for two. She has served as an Upper School Student Council Representative, Prom Chair, a YMCA Youth-In-Government Delegate, and in Young Life. She took part in the Upper School Musical “Oklahoma”, traveled to Ecuador on a mission trip to construct schools and churches, has regularly volunteered with no less than eight community organizations, from the Special Olympics to Triune Mercy Center, to the Humane Society. Murphy founded the Cure Club, a club dedicated to raising awareness and funding for Breast Cancer Research, and co-founded the CCES Pep Club. She won The Saint Lawrence Service Book Award (an award given to a junior who demonstrated significant commitment to community service), was a National Spanish Exam Silver Medalist,is an AP Scholar with Honors, and has succeeded in achieving High Honor Roll all four years of high school. She also completed an amazing senior thesis project on kindness in which she involved Lower School students and actually developed a curriculum on kindness!
Murphy moved to Greenville from Chicago in August of 2015, immediately enrolling in CCES. The change from a big public school in Chicago to a small private school was a major one, but one she claims made her a better person. “The Christ Church community was so incredibly welcoming that it made the transition much easier than I had anticipated,” she recalls. “Along with being academically challenging, CCES has provided me with several opportunities that I could have never imagined being involved in and it also gave me lifelong friendships. The past three years have been mentally and physically challenging, but I have grown so much and I owe CCES a huge thank you for setting me up to succeed in my future pursuits.”
Back to that near perfect resume. Murphy has played volleyball for four years and lacrosse for two. She has served as an Upper School Student Council Representative, Prom Chair, a YMCA Youth-In-Government Delegate, and in Young Life. She took part in the Upper School Musical “Oklahoma”, traveled to Ecuador on a mission trip to construct schools and churches, has regularly volunteered with no less than eight community organizations, from the Special Olympics to Triune Mercy Center, to the Humane Society. Murphy founded the Cure Club, a club dedicated to raising awareness and funding for Breast Cancer Research, and co-founded the CCES Pep Club. She won The Saint Lawrence Service Book Award (an award given to a junior who demonstrated significant commitment to community service), was a National Spanish Exam Silver Medalist,is an AP Scholar with Honors, and has succeeded in achieving High Honor Roll all four years of high school. She also completed an amazing senior thesis project on kindness in which she involved Lower School students and actually developed a curriculum on kindness!
“I have never met a student who is simply so excited and inspired to get involved and contribute without caring about shaping a résumé ” says Murphy’s College Counselor, Lindsey Waters. “Murphy possesses a willingness to take risks and take initiative. She acts with a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to serve others through her special talents and abilities. Murphy is truly a remarkable, one-of-a-kind student.”
Murphy brings her passionate best self to everything she does. I can’t imagine what her résumé will look like in a few years, but more importantly, I can’t wait to see the change this dynamic student will one day be effecting.
JUST FOR FUN!
Name one thing you will miss about CCES? The people. CCES has become a second home to me these past few years that it will be hard saying goodbye to all of the wonderful relationships I have built.
Name something this world could use a lot more of? Kindness.
What is your favorite community organization? Serenity Place.
Describe your senior year in three words. Bittersweet, Decisive, and Spirited.
Are you more excited about a) the miles of white sand beaches b) the amazing weather or c) the urban nightlife? All of the above? Haha but if I had to pick, probably the miles of white sand beaches!
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Murphy O'Brien, Class of 2018
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Murphy on a mission trip to Ecuador
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Murphy has helped found two clubs at CCES
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Murphy and her mom on a San Diego beach!
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Murphy sporting her USD tee shirt
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Christ Church Episcopal School (“CCES”) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at CCES. CCES does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, scholarship or other programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs and activities.