Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Senior Spotlight: O'Brian Not Slowed by Busy Schedule

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Senior Madeleine O’Brian

To say Madeleine O’Brian is a busy Carroll senior just wouldn’t explain enough. O’Brian is a member of the Carroll Dragon state powerhouse swimming team. She performs for the award-winning Emerald Belles and juggles the academic rigors of the prestigious Carroll Medical Academy.

O’Brian is also a member of the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society. She will graduate Friday and plans to attend Rice University in Houston. Carroll ISD Communications Intern Sean Murphy recently caught up with this talented Carroll senior.

What have your various activities taught you?
“Belles have taught me leadership. CMA has sparked my interest in the medical field, which I hope to continue and make a career of. Swimming has taught me about focus and dedication to achieve my goals.”

What importance do you see in your various activities?
They all matter to me for different reasons. Swimming matters to me because I love my teammates and I like the feeling of finishing a workout and the precedent it sets for the day. Belles matters because I love the feeling of performing with my sisters on Friday nights. I love CMA because it provides me with a multitude of opportunities in the medical field and it has increased my interest in becoming a doctor.”

What motivated you to join the high school swim team?
“It was the summer before 10th grade that I realized how much I loved swimming,and that I did not want to stop once school started.”

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O’Brian competed in the 100 backstroke for the Lady Dragons, one of the state’s top swimming and diving programs.

How have your coaches and directors helped you do all the activities suffiently and balance the commitment to all?
“My Belle director Mrs. Page was very supportive in allowing me to do swimming. Coach Murphy worked with my schedule and allowed me to do early morning practices so that I could get to Belles first block. They have been understanding when I have a football game or competition to perform or swim meet to attend.”

How old were you when you began dancing and how much time did you put into dancing before you joined the Emerald Belles?
“I started dancing when I was 3-years-old and I had to put 11 years into dancing before I joined the Emerald Belles my freshman year at 14-years-old.

What is your daily schedule that allows you to go to swim practice, Belles practice and be able to keep great grades in the Carroll Medical Academy?
“I try to get to bed around 9:30 p.m. so I can wake up at 5 a.m. to start my next day.”

Do you normally have much leisure time with your busy schedule?
“I don’t have much free time, but I don’t necessarily like leisure time because I prefer to be active and constantly busy.”

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O’Brian will graduate Friday and attend Rice University next year.

Which activity is the most time consuming and difficult?
“Swimming is the most demanding, but since I love the sport it pays off.”

How do you balance all of these activities?
“It is a very busy schedule, but my activities have taught me very important lessons on time management and how to prioritize.”

 

 

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse