During her time at Wayne Valley, alumna Catie Mcgrath participated in many sports that shaped her into the person she is today. She said, “During my time at Wayne Valley, I was actively involved in field hockey, ski racing, and track and field (specifically I threw javelin). Each of these activities shaped me in unique and valuable
ways that are still relevant today.”
While all these sports were a defining part of her high school experience, they taught her the importance of collaboration and communication, the importance of perseverance, and positive self-talk. She thanks these sports for preparing her for the challenges of balancing personal goals and collaborative efforts. “They taught me perseverance, adaptability, and how to appreciate both individual achievements and team success,” she says.
“I would encourage myself to step outside of my comfort zone more often,” McGrath shares when asked what advice she would give her high school self. “Looking back, I realize how much I worried about getting everything right–grades, sports, making the perfect decision–when in reality growth comes not just from success but from setbacks,” she adds.
Catie McGrath reflects on how fear and failure once prevented her from embracing opportunities she now wishes she had pursued. McGrath’s high school experience at Wayne Valley played a crucial role in shaping her future. She credits the rigorous coursework, supportive teachers, and dedicated classmates for pushing her to excel both academically and personally. “The challenging curriculum at Wayne Valley definitely prepared me for both college and graduate school,” she reflects. The school’s commitment to offering advanced classes, such as AP and honors courses, allowed her to pursue her interests in science early on. “After taking freshman biology, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in science,” McGrath shares.
Beyond the classroom, her participation in a variety of sports and activities helped her develop valuable skills like leadership and time management. The balance of academic challenge and personal growth opportunities at Wayne Valley laid a strong foundation for her success in STEM and beyond. “Wayne Valley teachers pushed me to be the best student I could be while still supporting my learning, and that’s a habit I carry with me every day,” McGrath adds.
Catie’s time at Wayne Valley High School was filled with memorable experiences that helped shape the person she is today. “The ability to participate in a wide variety of sports and activities helped me develop outside of the classroom as well, allowing me to practice leadership and time management. Specifically, I think Wayne Valley did a fantastic job preparing me for both college and graduate school in terms of the courses offered and the support provided to students. I knew after taking freshman biology that I wanted to pursue a career in science, and the ability to take multiple AP and honors classes tailored to my interests made me feel prepared to enter the rigorous STEM coursework in college,” she says. She also fondly remembers the mentors and teachers who had a lasting impact on her whose guidance helped her discover her strengths and pushed her to reach higher. These experiences not only contributed to her personal growth but also prepared her for the challenges she would face after graduation.
McGrath shares that she has had many memories at Wayne Valley but the one that stood out the most was winning the state championships in ski racing. “It wasn’t just the thrill of the victory, it was the way we all came together as a team to support each other. It was such a fun and meaningful day to spend with all of my best friends and teammates and it cemented our names in Wayne Valley athletics history,” she states. While this monumental achievement remains a proud moment, Catie also treasures the smaller, ordinary experiences—sitting in class joking with friends, worrying about outfits for junior formal, and sharing cookies in the lunchroom. “Looking back, I realize these small moments were just as special as the big accomplishments,” she reflects. She thanks her old coaches and teachers for the valuable lessons they taught her stating, “Coaches taught me the importance of hard work and determination as well as the importance of celebrating accomplishments. The teachers I had at Wayne Valley have instilled in me the importance of studying, and doing so effectively.” She even went on to say that she still uses the management skills and study habits she once learned at Wayne Valley.
After graduation, McGrath attended DeSales University in Center Valley, PA. She continued to play division III field hockey there and continued her education. Originally McGrath entered college as a biology major but she quickly added a dual major in chemistry and graduated in December 2023 with a B.S. in biology and a B.S. in chemistry. After a guest speaker in her AP biology class junior year introduced her to the field of pharmacy McGrath knew that she had to pursue that career with the help of her biology and chemistry knowledge. McGrath proposed to take a gap semester while she interviewed at pharmacy programs around the East Coast and worked at a hospital in Pennsylvania as an inpatient pharmacy technician. Reflecting on her successful time in college McGrath shares, “I was lucky enough to be granted admission and a scholarship to UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill, NC, the #1 school of pharmacy in the country! Today, I am in my second semester of pharmacy school in North Carolina and while I am missing my friends and family in the northeast, I am enjoying learning about a subject I am extremely passionate about, all because I learned about it at Wayne Valley!”
“Have fun, it goes way too fast!” McGrath advises current Valley students, “It might seem like all you can think about is what you need to do to get into a good college or excel in a career, but if you are instead engaging in activities that bring you joy, your experiences will be that much more genuine and valuable to your development. Whether it is academics, sports, clubs, or social events, immerse yourself fully. These experiences will ultimately shape your skills, character, and passions for all of your opportunities outside of Wayne Valley.”
