Shaylah Curtin ’26

As the fifth of seven children, Shaylah came to PVI knowing that many people already recognized her family. “My dad (Tim Curtin) graduated PVI in 1989, and I have a lot of siblings. Everyone already kind of knew who I was, but at PVI, I was able to form my own identity.” Over her four years, Shaylah found leadership opportunities, deep friendships, and a stronger faith life.

She served as captain of both the lacrosse and field hockey teams, and was a Senior Retreat Leader and Big Sister for her Advisory. In addition to her activities, Shaylah said she will especially miss the relationships she built in Campus Life and Campus Ministry.

“I'm going to miss the people that I talk to a lot.” Spending time in Campus Life and Campus Ministry helped her build connections with people she may not have met otherwise, while also giving her opportunities to ask deeper questions about her faith. “I enjoy talking to Father Jonathan. I'll ask him a question, and he'll answer it and just bring a new light. I'm going to miss that a lot.”

In addition to these conversations, Shaylah’s faith journey deepened after attending her Junior Retreat. Afterward, she was encouraged to become a Senior Retreat Leader.

“I'm the type of person who, if somebody asks me to do something, I'll do it for them. Since I would be leading other girls on the next retreat, I started praying more and praying with scripture.”

Going into senior year, Shaylah felt called to take Discipleship, an elective in the Theology Department, but her schedule was full. A last-minute change allowed her to enroll, and the class played a major role in strengthening her faith life. “I learned a lot about my prayer life and how to actually pray.”

“The motto of discipleship is that you go out by going in. We can't be leaders and bring people to Christ unless we are also followers.”

After arriving at PVI knowing very few people, Shaylah eventually found “a really good group of girls” during junior year who became her best friends.

When asked what advice she would give incoming freshmen, Shaylah offers reassurance rooted in her own experience: “Everybody's in the same boat. PVI gives you an opportunity to meet people whom you wouldn't meet otherwise. You're going to make connections with people who are going to be good for you and help you grow at this time in your life.”

Next year, Shaylah will attend Christopher Newport University, where she will play lacrosse and explore majoring in environmental science, psychology, or education.