When Luke Healey ’25 visited Harley when he was going into Grade 1, he knew almost immediately that it felt right. He took his sense of curiosity and belonging all the way through graduation, and now to Amherst College in Western Massachusetts.
Luke loved his time in Lower School, where he credits all of his teachers for creating a supportive environment, but gives special mention to Grade 2 with Mrs. Nancy Barrett (Lower School, 1989-2017) and Mr. Tony Cinquino (Lower School, 1971-2021). The second grade overnight was a highlight!
From an early age, Luke gravitated toward music and performance. In Grade 5, he joined the ensemble in Anything Goes, inventing a full backstory for his character. That joy continued in Middle School theater: from playing Snout the Tinker (and delivering a monologue about being a wall) in A Midsummer Night’s Dream to portraying the Donkey in Shrek in Grade 7. Alongside theater, Luke sang in choirs at Hochstein School of Music from grades four through seven and in the Harley choir in Grade 5.
Music continued to expand for him when he picked up the bassoon at the end of Grade 5. Knowing he wanted to join the band in Grade 6, Luke spent the summer taking lessons with Kristy Houston P ’25 (Music, 2010-present). He remains deeply appreciative of the time and care she invested in helping him succeed throughout his time at Harley.
Running became another meaningful part of Luke’s experience. He ran cross country in Upper School and also competed in track during Grades 9 and 10. Coach Dan Deckman P ’28, ’28, ’30 (Horizons Director of Development, 2020-present) made a lasting impact because he is “someone who truly cared about each runner, tracked individual progress, and encouraged students to compete for themselves as much as for the team.”
Academically, Luke found himself increasingly drawn to science and the humanities. A SUPA (Syracuse University Project Advance) biology course at Harley sparked a strong interest in environmental studies, which he is now considering as a major at Amherst. While he always loved music, Luke admits there were areas—like visual art—that he never explored simply because he didn’t feel confident. Looking back, he encourages current students to take those risks while they’re at Harley and try the things they’re even a little curious about.
Luke speaks especially passionately about the role English and History played in preparing him for college. The emphasis on essay writing, structure, and argumentation in Upper School—particularly with Dave O’Brien P ’19 (English, 2011-present)—left him exceptionally well prepared for Amherst’s college-level writing. Middle School English with Tierney McKee P ’25 (English, 2018-present) also stood out, as her classes went beyond reading and answering questions, teaching students how to analyze literature and build persuasive arguments. Former English teacher Alex DeSantis P ’84 (English, 1971-2009), who once audited an English class Luke was in, described him as “always engaged, with an intelligent perspective,” and someone who consistently asked thoughtful questions. The trimester-based history rotation also exposed him to many different parts of the world and demonstrated the close connections between apparently remote places and actions, a principle that served him well in his class on environmental science this semester. The AP U.S. government class he took with Kristen Sheradin (History, 2007-present) was especially helpful in showing him this interconnection, and it encouraged him to take a class in the Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought department at Amherst.
Leadership became a defining thread of Luke’s time at Harley through his long involvement in Student Council—so long, in fact, that during his time at Harley, he was the “longest-running member.” He served as a representative-at-large in Grade 9, class vice president in Grade 10, Student Council Treasurer in Grade 11, and Student Council President in Grade 12. Student Council helped Luke grow more comfortable with public speaking and putting himself out there. He believes he never would have joined Student Council if not for the supportive culture at Harley.
One of the accomplishments as Student Council President that he is most proud of is Maintenance Appreciation Day in 2025. Luke and his fellow student leaders printed out photos featuring each member of the maintenance team, inviting the community to write personal notes of thanks (kind of like a yearbook page, but on a much bigger scale). The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the maintenance team loved it. He also points to Homecoming festivities and the dance as meaningful successes.
Amherst College was the very first campus Luke visited, and it immediately felt like a good fit. He was drawn to its size and to the community feel, and he enjoys his classes where the lack of core requirements means students are genuinely invested in what they’re studying. His favorite classes so far include Arendt’s Judgements, centered on the work of philosopher Hannah Arendt, and an environmental science course that solidified his interest in the field.
Luke felt well prepared for the academic rigor of college. The workload is challenging, he says, but manageable and familiar thanks to his Harley experience. This summer, he’s especially excited to be part of a Climate Justice Case Studies program. Although typically reserved for sophomores and juniors, Luke advocated for himself, spoke with the professor, and earned a place on the research team. He and his peers will be contributing research for the professor’s upcoming book.
Beyond academics, Luke continues to explore his creative side. He’s taking a contemporary dance class, plays in the school orchestra, and recently performed in the pit orchestra for Fiddler on the Roof. He’s also participating in Amherst’s Sustainable Careers Initiative, connecting his academic interests with real-world impact.
