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Creating Holistic Educational Pathways for College-Bound Students

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James DeMarco

Superpower: Storytelling

Top 3 values: Cultural Sensitivity, Empowerment, Collaboration

My favorite things: Reading, Traveling, Mexican food, and every minute with my four Chocolate Labradors.

Educational passions: B.A. in English, M.A. in Education, teaching, traveling, and volunteering.

My Why: I enjoy helping students uncover their strengths, refine their writing, and craft authentic applications so that they gain confidence in their voice and feel proud of how they represent themselves to colleges.

Sarah DerOvanesian

Superpower: Making Others Feel Seen and Cared For, Creative Thinking, Organizing & Planning

Top 3 values: Peace, Love and Compassion

My favorite things: Hearing others’ stories and sharing mine, Old books, New places, Growing and learning always, Writing about what I discover, Seeing the beauty of daily life…like flowers and butterflies!

Educational passions: B.A. in Early Childhood Education, M.A. in School Counseling, College Counseling Certificate. Guiding and Encouraging.

My Why: I feel called to help young people get to know themselves, understand the fullness of their potential and find ways to walk in it!

Escely Marr

Superpower: Being a chameleon and networking

Top 3 values: Authenticity, Empathy, Never stop learning

My favorite things: Slow mornings, coffee in a good mug, bookstores, exploring new countries, pilates, baking, traditions, and watching my daughter discover the world

Educational passions: B.S. in Psychology from Central Michigan University and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego. Education systems in other countries, mindfulness, and holistic student growth and discovery in early education, and the informal education of learning from others around you.

My Why: I am a first-generation high school graduate, and everything I have learned in my life is largely due to seeking information out myself. It has been my life’s purpose to give a voice and provide knowledge to those in need.

Analee Giordano

Superpower: Creating perfect playlists for any mood

Top 3 Values: Authenticity, Joy, Compassion

My Favorite Things: Hand-painted cards to send to my friends and family, a porch with a waterfront view, my antique tea set collection and blue willow collection, birds visiting my feeders and bird baths, and nighttime cuddles with my dogs.

Educational Passions: I am passionate about creating meaningful educational experiences that foster clarity, connection, and confidence. I have a love for travel, wellness, and conservation, and am especially drawn to helping students explore how their values, interests, and everyday choices shape their learning and personal growth.

My Why: As a first-generation college student, I remember how disorienting it felt to navigate big decisions without a clear roadmap—even with a strong support system. I craved clarity, confidence, and belonging, but often felt like I was piecing it all together alone. That experience shaped me, teaching me the value of resilience, curiosity, and asking deeper questions—not just about what I wanted to do, but who I wanted to be. My “why” is rooted in a lifelong commitment to growth and creating spaces where people feel seen, capable, and connected to their purpose.

KC Sylvestre

Superpower: Optimism

Top 3 values: Connection, Compassion, Adventure

My favorite things: I enjoy reading, holiday traditions, traveling, and learning about new cultures through food; watching my kids learn and explore; and I love organizing…for fun!

Educational passions: B.A. in Psychology from UMass Amherst, M.A. in School Counseling from Boston College, UCLA Extension College Counseling Certificate.

My why: I love getting to know each student’s strengths and passions to help guide them find the best pathway to their future.

Katie Cochran

Superpower: organization, ability to find whatever is “lost” and knowing the name of that random actor who is in everything

Top 3 Values: honesty, open communication, helping others My favorite things: a rainy Saturday afternoon with a good book, a warm cup of coffee or tea, the smell of bread baking in the oven, going for a run, playing board games with my kids, watching sports while working on my next embroidery project

Educational Passions: B.A in History with emphasis on European and US History, Single Subject Social Science Credential, M.A. in World War II Studies

My why: I believe in relational education where educators take time to learn how their students learn best. When students know how they learn the best, they can become an advocate for themselves and learn how to advocate for others in the future.

Capstone Certified Mentor

Jessica Smock

Superpower: love of learning, perspective, curiosity

Top 3 values: listening, empathy, knowledge

My favorite things: My two kids, dogs, lazy and rainy afternoons spent reading, long walks, Indian food, and mystery novels.

Educational passions: BA in Sociology Wesleyan University; Masters of Arts in Teaching Boston University; College of Social Sciences Fellow Florida State University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy and Glenn Fellow in Educational Leadership, Boston University.

My why: Helping students tell their stories and express their values to help them reach.

CEO/Founder

Laura Barr

Top 3 values: Get smarter every day, service, step-up

My favorite things: Collecting and stacking (and reading) fiction, Friday long runs (with no particular destination), writing personal narratives, my black-and-white Polaroid, bluegrass, fierce conversations, long hugs, Fridays, and thank you notes.

Educational passions: B.A. Humanities, M.A. Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Ethan Sawyer Groupie, Russian Literature fanatic, Certified in student-centered coaching and Curriculum and Instruction. 200-hour Yoga certification!

My why: I wake up every to raise and launch good humans. I believe in the power of education to raise citizens—because we need good citizens now more than ever.

Essay Guru

Jessica Smock

Super Power: Love of learning, Perspective, Curiosity

Top 3 values: Listening, Empathy, Knowledge

My why: Helping students tell their stories and express their values to help them reach.

Loves: My two kids, dogs, lazy and rainy afternoons spent reading, long walks, Indian food, mystery novels

Education passions: BA in Sociology Wesleyan University; Masters of Arts in Teaching Boston University; College of Social Sciences Fellow Florida State University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy and Glenn Fellow in Educational Leadership, Boston University

Lexie Musselman

Superpower: Building genuine connections.

Top 3 values: Authenticity, Empowerment, Growth

My favorite things: Lazy mornings with my dog, a strong cup of coffee, being outdoors, a patio on a sunny day, power walks, fresh snow, and a new pajama set.

Educational passions: BS in Communication and History from the College of Wooster. I love continual learning about any topic! Recently, it’s been Real Estate trends and World War II History from the women’s perspective, learning about the untold stories.

My Why: I help people tell their stories, find their voice, and step into their next chapter with confidence. Through meaningful connections and thoughtful guidance, I empower students to articulate their experiences in a way that feels authentic and impactful. My passion lies in helping them unlock opportunities they may not have thought possible, giving them the tools to share their unique perspectives with the world.

Sarah Modica

Superpower: Organization & time management

Top 3 values: Truth, growth, helping others

My favorite things: Coffee, travel, being at the beach, Peloton power zone training, a good facial, crossing things off lists, comfy pants, “me time,” and a weekend with no plans!

Educational passions: BS in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies & Peace Studies, EdM in International Education Policy, community-based development, process optimization and finding efficiencies, always being a teacher and a student, supporting others to reach their potential, getting meta about reality TV.

My Why: Dedicated to raising two boys who will grow into kind, thoughtful, and compassionate global citizens and fierce feminists.

Capstone Certified Mentor

Sydney Adams

Superpower: Empathy

Top 3 values: communication, adventure, passion

My favorite things: Reading, beaches, hiking, my dog (Boo), Thai food, playing cards, and the smell of fresh rain after a hot day.

Educational passions: B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, and travel.

My why: My favorite thing about working as a mentor is seeing students reach their goals and transform from unsure and overwhelmed to confident and enthusiastic about their future.