Maggie Sardino is an achiever with a desire to reach high places and lift others up along the way. Valedictorian, class vice president, lacrosse and soccer team captain, National Honor Society president, Coronat Scholar, and Renée Crown Honors student attending Syracuse University in the fall, Maggie’s list of accomplishments is impressive and long. But her drive comes from a desire to make the world more equitable for those who suffer.
“I’ve always looked at my privilege as a white person and as a middle class person as my responsibility to try and do as best as I can,” Maggie sad. “I think a lot of my life has been seeing an end goal of being top of and going to a successful university, and I always knew that I wanted to achieve that so I could be in a position to help people that don’t have the same privileges I do.”
Maggie is grateful her parents chose to purchase a home in Syracuse and enroll her in a city school, giving her the opportunity to be in community with people who have different experiences, backgrounds, and social identities than her. She also said coming to terms with the challenges many of her peers face has been the hardest part of her high school journey. “I don’t know what type of person I would be if I never had those experiences,” she said. “I’m really thankful I have the perspective I do, and that I’m able to identify the privilege I have, so that hopefully I’m able to help others that don’t.”
Maggie also looks up to her brother Matthew, who is autistic. Matthew is a student at Syracuse University, and member of the university’s InclusiveU program. Maggie is proud of her brother’s work advocating for people with disabilities and educating the wider community. She said her big brother has showed her that differences others may not understand or may even consider a burden on society, are truly an asset.
What quality do you love most about yourself? “I love my passion the most. Sometimes it causes me to lose sight of the end game, but most of the time it’s what drives me forward.”
Teacher, coach, or staff member who has inspired you and why: “Both my teachers Ms. White and Ms. Files have inspired me with their strength and their passion for teaching. My lacrosse coaching staff has also inspired me by continuously challenging myself as a player to be better and develop my leadership skills.”
Is there anything else you want people to know about you? “I just want people to know that I genuinely love my school. There are days when it’s a struggle getting up or I’m frustrated with a class, but I genuinely love Corcoran, my peers, my teachers, and other mentors here.”
Click here to read more We Are Syracuse – SCSD Class of 2019 profiles.
