Caitlin Munn '03 is, by her own admission, a shy person. It is not easy for her to talk about her accomplishments as a sophomore at University Liggett School or the successes of those formative years that began when she was a preschooler at The Grosse Pointe Academy. However, she does credit the Academy with helping her overcome her shyness at critical times. For example, says Caitlin: "Being in the eighth grade play really helped me feel more comfortable in front of a crowd." She also recalls having to present her eighth grade heritage project in front of her classmates.

Other experiences at the Academy also helped Caitlin come out of her shell, meet people and make friends. For example, she went on three Academy Adventures trips with Mike Fultz during the summertime. "Those trips were a lot of fun," she recalls. "They taught you a lot about working together, teamwork and independence."

Caitlin's years at the Academy gave her the confidence to pursue the toughest schedule and course load possible at ULS. In addition to such advanced classes as Spanish III Honors (her favorite class), Honors Algebra II Trigonometry, and Honors Chemistry, she is required to play three sports. She opted to play field hockey in the fall and ice hockey in the winter, and is conditioning for the spring season.

While at GPA, Caitlin played #3 doubles tennis and played on the varsity volleyball team in both seventh and eighth grade, and was instrumental in helping the team continue its winning streak over two seasons.

 "Caitlin had a serve we called the 'Munnster,'" says her former coach, Mike Fultz. While on the varsity team she won awards for most improved overall, most improved digger, and most improved server. Her eighth grade year she was the starting first server, and ended the season with the highest serving percent (95.74) and the most aces. In addition to holding a number of all-time records, Caitlin was, according to Mr. Fultz, "one of our best all-time servers."

This summer Caitlin plans to return to the Academy for her third consecutive year as a counselor at Blue Streak Camp. She was among 350 high school students invited to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. If she decides to go, she will be sent to one of the participating hospitals and have the opportunity to shadow a doctor. She is interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and volunteers four hours every Sunday at St. John Hospital, where she fulfills a number of tasks - from holding newborns to reading to children to pushing a candy cart around to the nurses' stations.

Caitlin's advice to this year's graduates is to "get involved and take advantage of things that Middle School doesn't offer, such as different sports and clubs. This is a great way to meet people and make new friends." To younger students who still have a few years ahead of them at the Academy, Caitlin points out that: "Teachers at the Academy give a lot of advice. Follow that advice. They give it for a reason. Work hard and challenge yourself as much as possible, because it will pay off."