Maeve, 16 Sophomore
Prayer Request - That I can finish the school year well.
Future: Maeve has a bright future ahead and is interested in either pursuing something in psychology or a career with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Maeve moved to Seattle around the age of 4 after living in Austin and Long Island, New York. Maeve grew up travelling every summer to Ireland where her mom was from, participating in choir and violin, and honed in on a love for sailing. “I really love being on the water, which is partly why I’m interested in the Coast Guard.”
At the age of 11, Maeve started struggling with her mental health. “I began using and abusing substances, and COVID only made it worse. In February of 2021, just two years ago, I overdosed.” With no ready solution, her mom put her into rehab and treatment centers in California and Utah. “I was in treatment for 6 months before coming straight to Eastside Academy.” She wasn’t excited about Eastside Academy, wasn’t sure about the small school environment, nor being a part of a sober school. Yet, her mom knew she wasn’t ready to enter a public high school. It wasn’t an easy start.
‘It was definitely a challenge at first. I really only planned to be here for a semester. But two months in I relapsed.” She was suspended for a couple of weeks, provided with extra support, and with a renewed focus on her sobriety, Maeve began to excel,
Carl Dodd, the Head of School commented, “It’s Maeve’s tenacity that I’ve been impressed with. She has a tenacity and a determination to be who she knows she can be, and who she wants to be. That’s why she’s been so successful at EA”
Maeve credited the small school environment and small student population as integral to her success. ‘I wasn’t excited about the small school environment at first, but it really does help you get to know one another and the staff. As the staff gets to know you better, they really learn the different ways to help you succeed. Drew has been a really big influence on my journey.”
Drew Hale, our Director of Student Services and Chaplain said, “Maeve has really impressed me with how she has taken ownership of her story and knows who she is and who she wants to be. I really love that she is someone who can focus in on herself and the goals she has for her life.”
Thank you for continuing to make a drastic difference in the lives of students like Maeve and providing an environment where change happens, and lives are transformed.
