Maya DeStazio

Senior Maya DeStazio has always been about helping others. Her grade school years at St. Ignatius were filled with acts of kindness and being selfless, from spending many hours volunteering at Matthew 25 Ministries, to being part of Sources of Strength at St. Ignatius, to small acts, like helping her sister Ava, ’22, when she needed encouragement. It wasn’t a surprise then when she connected with Roger Bacon during her 8^th grade shadow day. “I really felt like Roger Bacon was not just a place I could go to school, but where I could really connect with other people and be part of a real community,” shares Maya. “I loved the Assisi Scholar program, the prospect of traveling to Italy, and all of the extra curricular actvities that were offered as well. I shadowed some other schools, and they just were not as warm and welcoming. I also loved the idea of being in a coed environment. That is what the real world looks like, and I knew it would make my high school years even better.”

As the valedictorian for the Class of 2025, Maya has made the most of her time at Roger Bacon.

Maya did earn her way into the Assisi Scholar program, and recently returned from the pilgrimage to Italy with her classmates. Maya also served as Senior Leader, a Student Ambassador, a member of he National Honor Society, and is a member of the Drama Guild. One of her highlights on stage during her four years here was earning the lead role as a freshman in Alice in Wonderland. “Getting the lead was really intimidating at first, since I had never done theater. As is the case at Roger Bacon, though, everyone was very supportive and encouraging, and always so helpful. It made the experience memorable and fun,” explains Maya.

The pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy in March was also a memory she will take with her. “Being able to go to Italy was truly a highlight during my high school career. It was really neat to experience what we learned in the classroom about St. Francis in real life. In addition to this, Italy has so many historical buildings and architecture. As someone who is going into this field, it really inspired me to see all these buildings that have lasted so long and all the details that make them so visually appealing,” shares Maya.

Maya is also particularly proud of the High School Placement Test (HSPT) pilot program she helped create and teach with fellow Assisi Scholars Brady Rickenbaugh and Skylar Groenemann. The program helped St. Clement students who took the course show significant improvement on the test, and more important, each was accepted into the high school of their choice. States Maya, “It was truly an amazing experience to be able to help out with the HSPT program because I was able to make a difference in students' lives just by simply volunteering my time to teach others. As St. Francis said, ‘it is in giving we receive.’”

Despite a long list of amazing teachers, Annie Welt in the English department is Maya’s favorite after four years. “Mrs. Welt is just a really great teacher,” shares Maya. “I loved English and AP Seminar, and she always makes a point to talk to me in the halls or when there is downtime.”

Maya will head to the University of Kentucky next year to study Architecture. “U.K has a great school community, and a great architecture program,” explains Maya. “I picked Architecture because it lets me use both my academic tools and desire to be creative.”

In reflecting on her selection as valedictorian, Maya, in true Spartan fashion, is quick to deflect a bit to her classmates. “It is really kind of crazy I got picked. I always try to get good grades, and just try to do my best. Yet, I feel like everyone in the Assisi Scholar program is super smart. They are all very talented. It really is a privilege to know that in this amazing group of students, I stand out in such a positive way. I am lucky for that,” exclaims Maya.

Finally, in looking back on her four years, and what Roger Bacon has meant to her, Maya is reflective. “I am so glad I attended Roger Bacon. I love this small school community. I love that its coed, and I have friends who are boys, and got to have classes and work on projects with them. There is just so much to do here, and so much I have loved doing,” shares Maya. “This community is just special. Whether we are doing community service, walking the streets of Assisi, or just picking each other up each day in the halls, we are always giving back, and always giving to each other. How lucky am I to have been able to call Roger Bacon home for four years? Hail Spartans!”