Community played a crucial role in freshman Riley Kerrigan’s time at All Saints School, a supportive place that accepted when he messed up but still pushed him to improve — the type of school that responds “‘oh that’s ok,’ but also doesn’t say that too much,” he said. 

Already, he thinks the same type of community is deeply present at La Salle. 

Kerrigan feels that his English teacher, Ms. Anna Hooker, especially embodies that spirit in the classroom. Even when he didn’t understand aspects of the material, she was there to give useful advice that helped him succeed. 

Born in Portland, Oregon, he grew up in a stable environment where both his school and his house remained constant. This fits him as he is someone who’s the “kind of person that likes to be in one place, not moving around,” Kerrigan explained.

Nature is also a key part of his life. Annual trips to Maine in the summer have provided excellent and ample opportunities to experience the outdoors and to hang out with his and his older brother’s mutual friends. This fondness for nature stems from how, as he said, “being outside is very peaceful for me.” 

“If I have a lot of homework and I’m stressed…I’ll just take a break and go outside,” Kerrigan said. “That’s really helpful.” 

Inspired by his love of nature and the outdoors, he also finds himself intensely interested in the Maker Space, Maker Club, and potentially classes taught by Director of STEAM and science teacher Ms. Carie Coleman, believing the whole space really fits his interests and desires. 

“I like to imagine stuff that, you know, I can build or create,” he said. “Even if it’s kind of crazy.” 

While, like many people, Kerrigan didn’t always love school, as he has gotten older he realized the importance of a quality education and his responsibility in that process. Whether that be playing piano at his parent’s encouragement — even if he later had to stop due to the rest of his family not being able to support it — or encouraging himself to take an honors math course next year when he doesn’t describe math as his strong suit. 

“Being pushed really sets the stage for doing well,” he said.

Being supported and challenged are values Kerrigan finds crucial in the communities he inhabits, and are ideals which he tries his hardest to embody in his actions.

On a personal level, he is deeply committed to helping others, providing any advice he can, and trying to both sponsor and see growth in himself and those around him. Not only does Kerrigan see the value in this, but also immensely enjoys it.

“I really like helping people and seeing people improve,” he said. 

In friendship, he appreciates friends who are passionate about something, even if he does not share the exact same interest. Kerrigan thinks that a sense of humor is crucial too, as he loves to crack jokes. “Having a friend that also has a good sense of humor really helps,” he said. 

Outside of school, when he was asked by one of his friends to join his Ultimate Frisbee team, he pushed himself to join and jumped in right before the season started. With the help of the team and a newfound passion for the game, he persevered and has fallen in love with the sport. “I just started playing, and I love it,” Kerrigan said. He sees himself continuing to play and prioritize it into the future.

Correction: Sept. 25, 2024

A previous version of this article misstated the grade of Riley Kerrigan in the photo caption.