While graduation marks the culmination of hard work in the upper school for a CDS Patriot, it does not mark the end of their relationship with the Patriot Nation. We, in the alumni department, like to use the phrase "Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot." This is why when we hear news of our Patriot Alumni successes, we are just as thrilled for them as we were when they were roaming the CDS halls.
Katie McCaffrey graduated from CDS in May 2021 and has found a home at Boston College. We are so excited to see her continuing her love for cheer and gymnastics by representing BC on their coed cheer squad. A member of the USA Gymnastics League Region 8 team, Katie has competed at state and national competitions. She was also a 4-year member of the CDS Varsity Competitive Cheerleading Team and has been a state and national qualifier.
During her time at CDS, Katie was a Head of Upper School Honor Roll student throughout high school and a STEM Fair competitor for six years, placing 1st in Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair and advancing to the state level four years in a row. She was a member and Debate Captain of the National Speech and Debate Honor Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and Société Honoraire de Français (French Honor Society), HOSA (Future Health Professionals), Key Club, Do Something Club, Stock Market Club, and FBLA where she placed 1st in Business Communications and qualified to compete at the state level.
Katie was a CDS "lifer" having attended CDS since she was three years old.
Sydney Dombrowski, another CDS Class of 2021 graduate, is already making her mark at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Sydney, as the RPI Class of 2025 class, was mentioned in the recent article put out by RPI titled "Rensselaer Class of 2025 Determined To Change the World." In her freshman year at CDS, Sydney recognized the need for clean water in Cambodia so for her MYP project she started a non-profit business (1 by ONE) to raise money to build wells in Cambodia for people who do not have clean water. She was able to raise enough money to build two wells for families.
During her time at CDS, Sydney was a recipient of Carrollwood Day School's Patriot Merit Scholarship awarded to rising upper school students who exemplify CDS' commitment to academic excellence, service, and leadership. She was a full IB Diploma candidate and honors student and was inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society representing the top 20% of her class. Sydney was also a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, and the Beta Club.
In her junior year, Sydney was awarded the Rensselaer Math and Science Medal for having distinguished herself in science and mathematics, which served her well, as she has gone on to represent RPI as a college freshman.
Sydney was also an accomplished volleyball player and was the captain of the JV team at CDS from 8th grade through 11th grade. In 11th grade, she also joined the Varsity team and played both beach and full-court volleyball through her senior year.
Sydney was also a CDS "lifer", having been a CDS Patriot since she was three years old.
CDS Alumni, we want to hear from you! Send your updates to Nicki Ragan and join the alumni association.