Whether she is exploring cardiothoracic surgery, creating artwork late into the night, transposing music, or tutoring younger students, Penelope Teague approaches each opportunity with the same mindset: to understand, to create, and to care.

It is a perspective that reflects what it means to be a whole student, one who brings curiosity, empathy, and intention to both academic pursuits and personal passions. Together, these qualities set the foundation for her future dreams and goals.

“I’d like to go into cardiothoracic surgery,” Penelope said. “I feel like the purpose in life is to contribute to your community in a positive way. If I’m going to spend so much of my life working, I want to do something I’m truly passionate about and that helps others. I don’t think I would ever regret working hard if I’m doing something I love.”

Penelope’s participation in the STEM concentration has further supported her growing interest in medicine, providing opportunities to explore healthcare careers and deepen her understanding of the field. Through the concentration, students engage in experiences that connect classroom learning with future pathways, an approach that aligns closely with Penelope’s long-term goals.

Her interest in medicine has grown steadily over time, shaped by both academic opportunities and personal experiences. After spending time in hospitals when she was younger, Penelope found herself drawn not only to the science behind medicine, but to the human connection at its core.

“There’s nothing more comforting than doctors who make you feel safe,” she said. “They treat you like they would their own family. That’s something I’d want to be for other people.”

That sense of purpose is being supported through her acceptance into Northwell Health’s President’s Junior Leadership Council, a competitive program based at Northern Westchester Hospital. The opportunity was presented to students in the STEM concentration, reflecting Croton-Harmon High School’s efforts to connect students’ interests with meaningful, real-world experiences beyond the classroom.

Supported by Assistant Principal Erica Fiorini, the partnership creates opportunities for students to explore career interests in greater depth and bring their learning back into the school community.

“When they’re asking students to volunteer, they’re looking for someone who’s going to commit to 100 hours, not come in for a week and be done,” Ms. Fiorini said. “Because of patient confidentiality, there’s a pretty intense vetting process, but once students turn 16, they can hit the ground running and explore areas of medicine in depth.”

Penelope’s group is currently focused on lead in drinking water, researching health impacts, and developing ways to raise awareness in their communities. She and a fellow student are also planning a Tiger Tuesday session to explore water testing and share resources with peers.

“It’s a very active program,” Penelope said. “We’re expected to create something that actually makes an impact.”

Penelope’s desire to make an impact began in middle school, when PVC’s Passion Pursuit project gave her the opportunity to explore human anatomy and physiology with a focus on cardiology.

“I worked on my project for at least an hour every day after school all year,” she said.

At the end of the year, students presented their work at the Passion Pursuit Pageant, where families and community members visited displays and spoke with students about their research. One interaction stayed with her.

“Someone came up to me and asked if I could help with a heart condition in their family,” she recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘I don’t know if I’m the right person,’ but it made me feel appreciated and recognized for my efforts.”

She later expanded her exploration through her CHANGE project.

“I did my CHANGE project on bioethics within the pharmaceutical industry, and that’s when I realized this isn’t just an avenue for me to help people one-on-one, but a way to innovate and make a bigger change, not just in my community, but in the world,” Penelope said. “It’s something I’ve continued to look forward to and try to engage in both in and outside of school.”

Recently, Penelope was nominated to attend the G.O.O.D. for Girls career conference.

“I went to the G.O.O.D. for Girls conference this past weekend, and it was really amazing. I took pages and pages of notes while interviewing the head of trauma surgery at WMC Health, two cardiology students, and the head of the cardiac ICU. I spent over an hour asking questions and gained so much insight. They all encouraged me to come shadow, see their work, and get my hands dirty. They also explained that they learn as much from their mentees as we do from them. It’s really a symbiotic relationship.”

Demonstrating that same idea, Penelope enjoys lending a helping hand to others in the community. From organizing a donation for Blythedale Children’s Hospital by sourcing adaptive toys, coordinating outreach, and delivering them to children with disabilities, to weekly tutoring sessions for elementary students through the Croton Free Library, her efforts often become less about academics and more about connection.

“Sometimes we do schoolwork, and sometimes they just want someone they can talk to,” she said.

Outside of her academic pursuits and interpersonal experiences, Penelope makes time to express herself through both art and music. She has played baritone saxophone since fourth grade, earned Tri-M Music Honor Society recognition, and enjoys transposing music through listening, research, and trial and error. She also taught herself piano, recognizing that developing ambidexterity supports her future as a surgeon.

Her artistic interests offer another outlet for creativity and reflection. This past summer, encouraged by CHHS art teacher Ms. Burger, Penelope was accepted into a month-long program at the Fredonia School of Art, where she explored experimental landscape and 3D mixed media, creating some of her most ambitious work to date. She later submitted five pieces to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, earning a regional Silver Medal and having another piece considered for national recognition.

For Penelope, art also serves as a way to slow down and reset.

“I’ll start painting and suddenly six hours have passed,” she said. “It’s really relaxing.”

That balance between ambition and self-care extends to other parts of her life. Penelope plays varsity tennis, has received a Sports Scholar Award, plays golf with her dad and at school, and regularly makes time for exercise and meditation. She is also already researching college programs and mapping out future opportunities, reflecting a thoughtful and intentional approach to her goals.

As a lifelong student in the district, Penelope credits much of her growth to the relationships she has built throughout her time in Croton-Harmon.

“I’ve built personal connections with a lot of teachers,” she said. “I go to different teachers for different things, and I can’t say there’s any one teacher who didn’t help me in some way.”

For Penelope, those relationships have shaped her belief that opportunities are always available for students willing to seek them out.

“I think school is what you make of it,” she said. “There are always opportunities and people willing to help. When you build relationships and show eagerness, teachers and mentors want to help you advance.”

Through medicine, art, music, and service, Penelope continues to embrace the world around her with both curiosity and compassion. Whether she is creating, learning, or supporting others, she approaches each experience with intention.

In doing so, Penelope Teague is not only preparing for a future in medicine. She is shaping a path defined by empathy, creativity, and purpose, learning to hold the world with heart and both hands.