EVERETT — As Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School celebrates its 30th anniversary this fall, senior Anthony Damitio is living out a family legacy there. The 17-year-old’s three older brothers are Murphy graduates, and one of his two sisters is a freshman at the private Catholic high school.
Question: Tell me about your family’s connection to the school.
Answer: My brothers Chris, Joe and Danny went to school here, and my sister, Elizabeth, is a freshman here. I have another sister, Katherine, in seventh grade.
Q: What has that been like?
A: Because of my brothers, I got to know the campus and the school. I met some of the teachers before I came here.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: I hope to go to the University of Washington. Two of my brothers graduated from there, and one is still there. I’m also applying to Cal Poly and Gonzaga.
Q: And what fields of study interest you?
A: I’m planning on studying STEM, maybe engineering or biomechanical research.
Q: Do you live in Everett? And where did you go to school before Murphy?
A: We live in Kenmore. I went to St. Matthew School in north Seattle.
Q: Has attending a faith-based school been important to you?
A: With my mom and dad, I go to Mass every Sunday at St. Matthew’s. Religion is part of me.
Q: Have you participated in many school activities?
A: I’ve played tennis and baseball. I’m the chapter president of DECA. I did mock trial my freshman and sophomore years. And I’ve been in choir. I’m captain of the tennis team this year. I never played tennis before coming here. I’d played baseball my whole life. With tennis, the people I get to meet and the bonds I’ve made, it’s been a great way to connect.
Q: What’s it like to be part of a large family?
A: It kind of shaped who I am. I was never bored or alone. Whenever we’d play a game, the four of us (brothers), my oldest brother and I would be on a team against the other two. Chris and I always lost. I hated losing, but he helped me lose graciously.
Q: Did your brothers give advice?
A: They were all really supportive. The year I came was the year Joseph graduated. I remember in my freshman year, getting advice in asking a girl to homecoming — in putting together “my ask.”
Q: Was there any downside, being the fourth Damitio boy to attend the school?
A: Teachers are going to have expectations. We’re not all the same. We’re different. It’s kind of been cool to create my own impact.
Q: You have big ambitions. Can you talk about them?
A: Just last night I was reading about the runaway effects of climate change. We’ve gotta fix it. People don’t necessarily want to change their entire lives, with cars and that kind of thing. How can we address these concerns on the scientific front, and make big changes without expecting people to do it for themselves?
Q: And you’re quite an academic achiever?
A: My cumulative GPA is 3.98.
Q: Have you had a favorite class at Murphy?
A: My favorite class was AP chemistry my junior year. Mr. (Jonathan) Glass is really great. One of the things I like about STEM is getting to learn about all that crazy stuff.
Q: How about fun? How do you spend your free time?
A: Playing guitar. I play acoustic and I’m learning to play electric. I like classic rock. Music is a big part of my life. I spend hours just playing.
Q: Are you in a band?
A: Informally. We played at a school talent show, “How to Save a Life” by The Fray.
Q: Now that you’re the older brother at Murphy, are you glad to have a sister at the school and maybe another one coming up?
A: I’m excited for them to experience the atmosphere here. I can’t think of a teacher I don’t get along with. They’ve had a big impact on me as a student and as a person.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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