05/26/2026
❤️❤️ This girl will accomplish anything she sets her mind to! We are so excited for her very bright future!
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Alina Amlani
College Plans: Santa Clara University
Intended Major: I plan to major in Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track to become a Pediatric Clinical Neurologist in the future.
One of my favorite memories from my time at ASH is the Father-Daughter Dances. I love being able to let loose on the dance floor and truly have fun with the people I love most. My senior Father-Daughter Dance was especially meaningful because it was the fifth one my uncle and I attended together, making it one of the highlights of my time at ASH. One of my favorite parts of the night is dancing with my best friend while the younger girls watch us. Slowly, they begin to realize that if we can be silly and have fun, then they can too. Watching them gain that confidence and joy is such a special experience. At the end of the night, my uncle and I always share a few final dances and enjoy a sweet treat together, ending the evening full of laughter and memories from dancing the night away.
My favorite tradition at ASH is the Ring Ceremony. I had been looking forward to this moment all year, and when the day finally came, it was even better than I could have imagined. I had the perfect dress, a beautifully decorated red sweater, and my entire close family there to support me. Most importantly, Sister Lieux, my favorite RSCJ, and Erin Harmon, my riding instructor, had the honor of ringing me. Sitting in the newly renovated chapel with that long-awaited ring on my finger made everything feel so real. It was the first time I truly realized how close senior year—and graduation—really was. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and a perfect moment that I will always remember.
How have the Goals and your Sacred Heart education helped to shape you into the person that you have become?
The Goals have given me the perfect foundation to follow when making decisions and choosing my actions. They have shown me the importance of God and how my relationship with Him can guide me toward living my best life. They have also taught me how wonderful life can be when I remain open to learning from everyone and everything around me.
Through the Goals, I discovered my love for serving others, whether that means bringing a smile to someone’s face through my service at St. Agnes Nursing Home or working on my Labyrinth garden. My sense of community has also grown far beyond the walls of ASH, giving me connections and lifelong friendships I may never have found if I had not learned the value of being a friend to all. I was also able to create Heartbound: The Sacred Journey, a networking activity initiative that allowed me to connect with the lower school girls in a meaningful way.
Finally, the Goals have taught me the importance of making thoughtful decisions and considering the needs of others, not just myself. I have learned that kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness can positively impact both my own life and the lives of the people who matter most to me. I would not be the person I am today without these values to guide me, and I know that even after I leave ASH, the Goals will remain with me because they have become the foundation of my life and values.
What advice do you have for younger students?
Learn to love yourself because, in the end, no one can be prouder of you than you are of yourself. Others may support you and cheer you on through different moments in life, but only you truly know what you have gone through and how far you have come. Do the things that make you happy and fill your cup.
Being at a place like ASH gives you the opportunity to discover what you love, and those passions can help guide you in the future. Enjoy every event and every experience, but make sure you are doing it for yourself. Don’t seek validation or try to impress others. Instead, be proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished.
Congratulations, Alina! We are so excited for you as you move on to this next chapter in your life. Know that we are praying for you and cheering you on every step of the way!
