Growth in self and society

By Patrick Whalen
November 19, 2014

Mackenzie Harris was one of the four students that were awarded the Charles A. Mastronardi Service and Leadership award on Tuesday.

Harris has transformed into a motivated individual in and out of the classroom. Although most students who win these awards were students who excelled in high school and carried over their hard work to college, it was a different road for Harris.

“When I was in high school, I barely passed junior year. I ended the year with a 1.79 grade point average and I never applied myself,” Harris said. “I applied to 12 liberal arts school and three art schools. Up until Cabrini accepted me, I thought I would be an artist.”

Harris has worked for Catholic Relief Services Student Ambassadors since her freshman year. Harris has served communities in Guatemala and will serve in Ecuador and New Orleans this upcoming spring with other fellow Cabrini students.

Learning from your own mistakes helps you mature and prepare you for the future. In Harris’ case, that was the key factor that helped her win these awards.

“In my senior year, for the first time in my life, I really believed that I was smart. My parents and friends always supported me but the majority of the time, I felt alone and different. In one semester, I changed not only my outlook on life, started working to better my future mentally, physically and scholastically, but I raised my GPA from a 1.79 to a 2.00,” Harris said. “I graduated from Unionville High School with a 2.23 GPA.  The hardships that I faced in high school and when I was younger, has truly made me into the person I am today.”

Harris plans on continuing to serve and work hard in order to maintain the success she has had while attending Cabrini.

“I really enjoy Catholic Relief Services and working them even though I am not Catholic,” Harris said. “I am a proud agnostic.”

People from all walks of earth do community work and in turn helps shape them into a better person.

@patrickwhalen12

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