East Granby's Molly Mullen Named Outstanding Scholar at Westminster

Submitted by Westminster School

East Granby resident Molly Mullen, a member of Westminster School’s 2013 graduating class, was named the class’s Outstanding Scholar.        

In presenting the award to Mullen at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 25, Headmaster William Philip described her as, “a true scholar. Her innate curiosity and appetite for learning are infectious. The questions she raises push her classmates to more deeply consider the issues at hand.  Whether in the quantitative subjects or the humanities, our recipient is lauded for her intelligence as well as her demeanor.”                  

As part of receiving the award, Mullen gave the Outstanding Scholar Address at the ceremony. She talked about Westminster’s mascot, the martlet — a mythical bird with no feet that keeps flying — and some of lessons that can be learned from martlets.

“As a true martlet, you’ll sometimes have to be the bird at the front of the ‘V,’ the one who softens the wind for those behind,” she said. “Lead by example and you’ll ease the way for others. Whether it’s stress before a race or the way people are treated, it takes courage to fly against a harsh cultural current. Know that every beat of your wings makes the trip easier for the flock following you — and a flock will follow. Be a drop of the right sort and you can change the balance of an ocean.”           

During Mullen’s three years at Westminster, her coursework was rigorous. She was named a Finalist in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program competition, has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and achieved Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam.         

An exceptional writer, she was the winner of Westminster’s Brian Ford Writing Prize, served as co-editor in chief of the The Westminster News, and as co-editor of the school’s literary publication, The Martlet. As a special project, she edited a 50-year retrospective issue of The Martlet as a part of the school’s 125th anniversary celebration.          

An avid runner, Mullen served as a captain of the school’s Girls’ Cross Country team and participated in track as a distance runner. She also was a member of the school’s Chorale and Chamber Choir, played in the school’s band and worked on school musicals.         

She will be attending Yale University in the fall.