Scottsdale Prep Welcomes Past Students to Speak at Alumni Panel

What happens when bright minds return to their roots? At Scottsdale Prep, alumni recently came back to share their college experiences, offering current students a glimpse into the future shaped by the unique curriculum and classical education that Great Hearts offers. From prestigious universities to ambitious career paths, these former students reflected on their time at Scottsdale Prep and how it prepared them for the challenges ahead.

Among the panelists was 2024 graduate, Sabrina Manero, who is currently attending Duke University, where she is double majoring in neuroscience and literature. She shared how significant it was to give back to students, just as she had once received guidance from older students during her own time at the academy.

“I think Scottsdale Prep has prepared me especially well for what I’m doing,” Manero said. “They have such a unique curriculum with so many unique offerings, from Humane Letters to the Senior Thesis, that I’ve really been able to capitalize on all of those opportunities, and it’s made me a really unique competitor in a lot of applications because of the fact that no one else really has the same experiences that are unique to theScottsdale Prep curriculum.”

Tucker Flynn, also from the class of 2024 and a National Merit Finalist, now attends Fordham University as a first-year neuroscience major. He described how hearing past alumni speak was impactful for him when he was a student, and now he finds himself passing down much of the same wisdom.

“I do remember having some very key takeaways from certain students, whether it be something as small as their advice for how to put yourself out there when you first arrive on campus your freshman year, or even just advice for how to keep yourself grounded during the application process,” Flynn shared. “I almost feel like now I’m passing on some of the same knowledge that I got from them, so it’s kind of like the circle of life.”

Another guest panelist, Christian Gust, who graduated from the academy in 2023 and is currently at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on the pre-med track. He is part of the Honors College’s University Scholars program, studying biology, medical humanities, Spanish, and aerospace studies. Additionally, he participates in the Air Force ROTC program and will commission as a captain after medical school to pursue a career in flight surgery.

Reflecting on the impact of the alumni panel, Gust said, “I think the alumni panel was a great experience for me when I was a student. I remember going all four years of my time here at Scottsdale Prep and just hearing their advice. I heard from a range of college freshmen to college seniors, and just hearing what they had to say inspired me to solidify my own hopes and goals for my future as well.”

Gust also encouraged students to maximize their time at Scottsdale Prep by embracing the curriculum, building relationships with faculty, and thinking deeply about their academic and career aspirations. “Definitely don’t take this education for granted,” he advised. “Think about the why of what you’re doing and try to make that the motivation for you. Take advantage of opportunities, build connections with the faculty, and really dig deep into understanding why you’re doing something because that will help you be successful in the future.”

Organized by our dedicated college counselors, the alumni panel shows the lasting impact of a Great Hearts education, demonstrating how its graduates continue to thrive in higher education and beyond. For current students, it was an inspiring reminder of the opportunities that lie ahead and the importance of making the most of their time at Scottsdale Prep.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.