HAMPSTEAD HILL ACADEMY, Class of 2020

• Attended K-8th Grade
• Activities: Participated in “a million clubs,” including Inaugural Green Team member, BeMore Green, played baseball (excl. 8th grade, which was canceled because of the pandemic); she and father Mike Palmer started a basketball club; acted in every HHA production; props manager in 7th grade
• Sister Fiona Palmer, HHA Class of 2022, now attending Friends School of Baltimore

 CURRENTLY ATTENDING: Baltimore School for the Arts: Class of 2024

• Prime: Stage Design and Production
• Accomplished Irish dancer, which she began in Kindergarten and performed Irish dancing at HHA events
• BSA Stage Design and Production Student Government Representative, 2022-2023
• Stage Manager for two BSA productions, musical theater night and senior farewell show, 2022-2023
• Stage Manager for Theory of Relativity BSA Fall show 2023
• Lead carpenter, Noises Off, BSA spring 2024 show
• Works part time at Samos’ in Canton Crossing, a Greek deli

COLLEGE PLANS:

Plans to major in Stage Management or Theater Design and Technology at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, or other U.S. schools.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HAMPSTEAD HILL MEMORY?

My most favorite memories are doing the play with all my friends. Saturday rehearsals were my favorite. I acted in every HHA production, but in 7th grade, I was asked to be props manager. Seeing everything that went on behind-the-scenes triggered some of the reasons I went to the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA).

Playing baseball [on the HHA coed team] is also another favorite memory. Although I didn’t get to play as many years as other people [because of COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning], it was really amazing. I played every position. I went from being a catcher to an outfielder, to a first baseman, to shortstop. I think I even pitched at some point. I enjoyed being able to play a sport that I’ve loved my entire life.

That was the only chance I got to play baseball in my life because they don’t really have baseball for girls outside of middle school. I started playing basketball at HHA and have played in a league since. [BSA does not have any sports.]

HOW DID HAMPSTEAD HILL PREPARE YOU FOR BSA?

The one thing I remember more than most is that Hampstead Hill really taught me just to be nice to everyone. More than anything else, HHA [instilled] the idea that you should really just be kind to anyone and everyone around you. From that will come so many different benefits.

HHA encourages this in so many ways. First of all are the [Restorative Practice] daily circles and the Leaders Go Places during middle school that encourages service hours. Doing kind things to help other people creates kindness towards people who may not be as fortunate as you.

Congratulations, Mairead, on all you’ve accomplished! Best of luck in your senior year and beyond!