Alumni Profile: Grace Bertagna '15

Q+ A with Grace Bertagna

Grace Bertagna attended GUS for sixth through eighth grade. From GUS, she went on to graduate from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and then UMass Amherst. This fall, she began a year of service with AmeriCorps through which she is currently working at a community health center in East Boston.

What was one of your most meaningful or memorable GUS experiences?

Barbara Kelley’s 7th grade Spanish class. Even though I took it over 10 years ago, I still remember so much about it. What I remember most is her commitment to teaching us about, and actually celebrating with us, various Hispanic holidays like Day of the Dead and Three Kings Day. Barbara made learning a new language exciting, rather than intimidating, which gave me the confidence to continue studying Spanish throughout high school and college. I was fortunate to keep in touch with her throughout high school during yearly service trips to the NPH home in the Dominican Republic.

Where are you now, and what are you doing?

In September, I began a year of service with the Public Health AmeriCorps program at NeighborHealth, a community health center in East Boston. My role involves outreaching patients (mostly in Spanish) to coordinate their medical care. I primarily work with patients who have diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes in order to fill care gaps. I also connect patients with resources offered at the health center and in the surrounding area. I assist with the health center’s weekly food distribution and help run the self-measured blood pressure clinic too.

In what ways do you feel GUS prepared you for what you're doing now?

My current position requires me to have a strong sense of empathy, and I definitely feel that my time at GUS helped me develop the ability to see the world from different perspectives. I’d attribute this to the various integrative experiences we participated in as a class, along with GUS’ commitment to valuing each student’s individuality.

Any words of advice for current GUS students?

The best piece of advice I got when I was a student at GUS came from my mom. She (often) reminded me that it’s a lot easier to be nice to someone than it is to be mean to them. Middle school is a challenging time, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to make or break someone’s day with your words and actions. I don’t know that I fully understood this as a 13 year old, but now I know that it’s always easier to choose kindness!

Anything else you want us to know about your experience at GUS?

I’ve only kept in touch with a handful of friends from GUS, but every time we catch up, we always speak fondly about our time there together, and I’m grateful to have maintained these friendships into adulthood. Throughout high school and college, I directed an arts & crafts summer camp in Gloucester alongside Brianna Ward ’16. We attended this same camp together as children, before either of us went to GUS. Then, we reconnected as upper school students at GUS and ended up taking over the leadership of the camp. It was the best summer job ever! I’ve also remained close with my longtime friend and classmate, Zenshia Baker Dunn ’15, and recently met up for a meal with Emma Harrington ’15, as we are both living in Boston!