Scituate High School senior Louisa Kinsley has accomplished the unthinkable–acceptance to three Ivy League colleges: Harvard, Columbia, and Yale. This outstanding achievement, which may be unprecedented at SHS, reflects her incredible work ethic and deep commitment to academic and extracurricular excellence.
Kinsley’s diverse high school schedule incorporated a love for school, sports, and environmental issues. At SHS, her involvement was consistent and outstanding. Charlotte O’Driscoll, Kinsley’s science teacher and track coach, noted, “She has so many qualities that make her a great academic student and committed athlete, but Louisa’s empathy and compassion are really what make her stand out as a citizen of our SHS community.”
Kinsley excelled with a full schedule of AP courses; however, her deep interest in environmental studies undoubtedly contributed to her exceptional college application. During her freshman year, Kinsley encouraged her friends to join the environmental science club she started. She organized weekly trash and recycling pickups and was dedicated to making a difference. O’Driscoll commented, “She has taken on so many personal projects over her time at SHS, like implementing recycling programs, beach cleanups, etc., that she initiated because she genuinely cares about making our community better.”
According to her friend Maura Grazioso, Kinsley’s passion comes from knowing exactly what “excites her so she can then specialize in and dedicate herself to those things.” Kinsley’s mother, Beth Kinsley explained, “Louisa loves to be involved and can’t sit still–she wants to do everything.” “That attitude, combined with her real passion for environmental issues, carried through in her essays and activities and may have helped her application stand out,” she added.
Described by SHS physical education teacher and track coach Kathleen McCarthy as a “most deserving person,” Kinsley earned a reputation as an outstanding student-athlete. In fact, Kinsley’s coaches, teachers, friends, and family members all shared similar views on her success: Kinsley knew how to dedicate herself entirely and equally to academics, sports, clubs, committees, environmental research, and personal relationships. Her insatiable work ethic, unbound enthusiasm, and impressive ability to balance her responsibilities undoubtedly strengthened her college application.
As a young fourth grader attending Cushing Elementary School, Kinsley participated in a grade-wide challenge called The Million-Dollar Project. Each student was given a hypothetical one million dollars to spend however they wanted, and Louisa set aside a quarter of her money for her college education at Yale University.
Kinsley’s fourth-grade dreams started to take shape during her official tour of the Yale University campus. According to Kinsley, the student tour guides were unbelievably well-versed in many different fields. She noted that all of them were heavily involved, some participating in dance, engineering, and music all at once. The community-oriented campus was crucial to her acceptance decision. Kinsley commented, “It seemed like a place where I can pursue so much at once.”
Kinsley expressed her gratitude for her “incredible support system,” from family and friends to teachers, administration, coaches, and mentors who have helped her achieve her “best work.” Stating that her parents have been her “biggest support system,” Kinsley lives by the motto her dad instilled in her during childhood: “Why not put in your best effort when you are doing anything?
Extremely proud of their daughter’s accomplishments, John and Beth Kinsley said Louisa has always been fully committed to setting and achieving her goals by working for them. While her parents offered their support, they also gave their daughter the space to find her own path and pursue her own passions. Kinsley’s mother remarked, “We’re really proud of her. She had a goal in mind and believed if she worked hard and followed her passions, then maybe something like this could happen for her. She had a plan, and she’s very fortunate that she had the support of a great community of teachers, counselors, administrators, friends, and family to make it a reality.”
Kinsley’s classmate and friend, Carolina Loeffel, expressed a sentiment shared by the wider SHS community: “Despite her obvious brilliance, she also continues to work ten times harder than those around her.” Kinsley’s coaches, friends, and teachers wish her all the best as she continues her academic career at Yale University.