Kagan Levine

College Choice: Barnard College of Columbia University
College Major: Political Economics

Kagan Levine’s college choice (early decision to Barnard College at Columbia University) seems the perfect fit for her interests. She commented, “I really wanted to continue to be surrounded by strong confident women in a really academic yet also fun environment so when I found Barnard, I knew it was the best fit for me. It had the academic prestige I wanted because it is Columbia but also the sisterhood aspect I also really wanted and it's in New York City. ”

Kagan’s years at McGehee have included multiple academic honors, a yearlong senior mentorship, and Student Council Representative (9, 10, 11). This year, she served as the Student Council Vice President. Yet, it may be her work as founder of Hear Our Voice that speaks most to Kagan’s passion. Hear Our Voice is dedicated to “Promoting a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.” Her concept started a couple of years ago at McGehee with a focus on “young girls learning to advocate for what they believe in and learn about problems we as women face on both a small and large scale.” She coordinated a school- and city-wide event, inviting writer, speaker, and thought leader Rosalind Wiseman to speak at McGehee. Kagan’s experience also includes serving on the Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board, and in the Diversity Club her senior year. She represented McGehee at the POCC Student Diversity Leadership Conference, as a Peer Facilitator – 2022 - 2024 with the goal of established leaders looking to better their community through further diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education.

About her years at McGehee, Kagan wrote, “I think it really helped me with my confidence inside and outside of the classroom. I don't change my personality if I'm just with my girlfriends or in co-ed learning or social environment and I think that's because McGehee has taught me part of getting comfortable in a new environment means getting involved and speaking up, not being shy and hiding behind someone else. It's also taught me how to think instead of just learning and memorizing miscellaneous facts which I think is going to be much more helpful in my future because we need more thinkers and not mindless robots with all the right answers.”

Kagan reflected on a few inspirational teachers. “Ms. Buchtel has been a great teacher and friend, especially senior year helping us to become better people and problem solvers. She's a great role model to all of us. Thank you to Ms. Fallon for always challenging me and Mr. Ellis for showing me I can be good at math as well as working with me. Finally, I really want to thank Coach Val for getting me involved in DEI work at McGehee and always believing in me. Without her I would not be the confident McGehee girl I am today.”

Her favorite tradition is Senior Song during Singing on the Stairs. She wrote, “I love standing with all of my classmates at the top of the steps after exams end.”

Kagan ended with, “I feel like at McGehee I've learned to talk to people and connect with anyone whether it's my best friend, parents or a stranger, and I'm really thankful I'm leaving with that skill, especially going to college with no one I know. I've made great friends at McGehee and am so thankful for them, especially the girls in my class and the juniors, they've made my high school experience the best!”

Grade Started at McGehee: Pre-K
Activities and Awards at McGehee: