Sara Troyani(1997)

College/Degrees

Cornell University, B.A. Suma cum laude; UC Berkeley, M.A.

Employer/Job Title

Bishop O’Dowd High School, Teacher

Accomplishments

Phi Beta Kappa, Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, Mortar Board Leadership Honor Society,
Fredrick C. Wood Fellowship in European Studies (Declined), National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key International Honor
Society, J.G. White Prize for Excellence in Spanish, Alpha Phi Outstanding Scholar, YMCA Western Pennsylvania Student Athlete of
the Year, Dean’s List

Testimonial

Governor’s School was one of my most formative experiences. Although I did not pursue a career in the sciences after attending Science Governor’s School at CMU, the program was an invaluable preview of college life and helped me manage my undergraduate years more effectively, especially in terms of time management and learning to work with other students to complete projects. As an inner city public high school student from a single-parent household, it would have been impossible for me to attend most other similar college prep programs. Additionally, the caliber of teaching that I experienced at PGSS continually informs my lesson designs as a high school teacher today. Finally, the opportunity to attend the PGSS has helped me create an especially gifted and caring network of friends andacquaintances who are passionate about pushing the limits in their respective fields. Knowing that I have the State of Pennsylvania to thank makes me likelier to return to Pennsylvania when pursuing an academic career in the future- especially if this could involve teaching at a program like PGSS!