Collegiate Friars: June 2022

TAYLOR CALCAGNO

Fenwick Graduation: 2018
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Grade School: Visitation
College:  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Major: Graduated (May 2022) with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and Design with a minor in Business

Internships: During the summers of 2019 and 2020, I interned as both a Project Engineering Intern and Operational Finance Intern for Turner Construction Company, where I was on a job site aiding in the construction of a 200-bedroom Veteran Affairs home in Chicago. Throughout that same time period, I also conducted energy research with the Army Corps of Engineers. This past summer, I took the role of a Consulting Intern for Capco, a global technology and management consultancy specializing in driving digital transformation in the financial services industry.

Career aspirations:  Following my recent graduation this spring from the University of Illinois, I have decided to stay in the financial technology industry and take a job offer with Capco, starting this month, where I will be working as an associate consultant in their Digital domain.

Fenwick achievements/activities: National Honor Society, Kairos Retreat Leader, Certamen Club, Volleyball, Swimming, Cross-Country and Track & Field

Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: While many Fenwick teachers have made a profound impact on my development as both a student and a person, I can confidently say that my life would be far different today if it were not for Mr. Kleinhans. Those who know me know that when my 16-year-old self was asked “Would you ever want to go into engineering?” my response was a very passionate “NEVER!” That was until I went through junior year physics with Mr. Kleinhans. I did not believe that I was doing well in this course, which only discouraged me from going into the engineering field even further. But Mr. K is never one to let a student give up or stop educating us on the countless opportunities that the STEM field has to offer. Some of the biggest life lessons I have learned from Mr. Kleinhans that have opened so many doors for me these
past four years include the following:

1. Learn how to accept and move forward from failure (which I have experienced plenty of as an undergraduate).
2. Build your network.
3. You do not need to be the smartest person in the room to succeed.

Thank you Mr. K!
 
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: Latin class with Dr. Porter was always something I looked forward to. I was fortunate enough to be in Dr. Porter’s Latin class for three years at Fenwick. Her love of language as well as Greek and Roman History was contagious and something that has stuck with me beyond high school. I found myself wanting to take any college elective I could on different history that interests me. This has had great impact on my desire to travel and see all of the places that I have studied.

Best Fenwick experience/the one you would like to live again: Being a part of Fenwick Athletics was one of the best experiences. The relationships I built with coaches and teammates made my time at Fenwick all the more enjoyable.

What Fenwick experience changed you the most: The Fenwick experience that changed me the most was joining the Girls Swimming and Diving Team my junior year. At this point in time, I was recovering from a knee injury and swimming was my only viable option. However, you can only imagine how daunting the first day was coming from someone who did not even know how to dive into a pool. This was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences during my time at Fenwick.

TEAGAN WHITE