Aidan Healy Begins Term on Human Rights Commission
The sophomore began his term on Dedham’s Human Rights Commission on December 18, three months after his acceptance to the commission in early September.
Dedham, Mass.-- On a warm night in July, sophomore Aidan Healy sat in front of his TV watching the Democratic presidential debate. He kept playing with the remote, fidgeting his finger on the up and down arrows of the volume button. Whenever the camera panned to Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren, he made sure to turn the volume up a little higher.
He listened closely, hoping to learn a thing-or-two about policy from who he saw as the best in the business.
He also knew that, one day, he wanted to stand where Biden and Warren stood.
On December 18th, Aidan made a step in the right direction when he began his year-long term on the Dedham Human Rights Commission. While his pursuit of a career in political science begins on a much smaller stage than the one he watched in July, he still sees the chance to make a big impact.
Citing his experience in CM’s Model UN program and on the Speech and Debate Team, Aidan thinks that his position on the commission will allow him to leave a positive impact on the Dedham community.
“I like how I get to take the experiences and skills that I’ve learned at CM and apply them to the real world,” said Aidan, also a member of the CM Scholars Program, Latin Club Council, and cross country team.
“This position with the commission will be an interesting way to be on the board of an advisory committee than can help me make concrete changes in my community.”
Created in November of 2017, the commission consists of 13 members. The commission works to ensure that Dedham residents enjoy equal opportunities to enjoy life regardless of their background, according to the Town of Dedham’s website
All members, except for the lone student member, serve two-year terms. The student member serves a one-year term.
Last year, then-CM-senior Will Dashe served as the student member on the commission. A mentor to Aidan on CM’s Speech and Debate Team, Will told Aidan about the opportunity ahead. When Will left the commission, Aidan submitted his personal statement and application for the position in July.
“[Will] made it clear that a kid like me would fit that role very well,” said Aidan.
“We’re both very passionate about political activism and think of ourselves as really good speakers. We’re both comfortable being in a room full of adults and filling our own shoes. We know how to communicate our own ideas without being afraid of the situation.”
The commission voted on Aidan’s application in September. When the commission informed him of his acceptance, Aidan says that he immediately turned his attention to the months ahead.
According to Aidan, the commission will spotlight diversity this year. He says that, through a video series called “Discovering Dedham,” the commission plans to tell the stories of Dedham residents from different backgrounds to the town’s younger audience.
“We want to show people in our town how diverse Dedham is a town and how that diversity is a strength,” said Aidan.
“It’s these initiatives that can really separate us and can help the community as a whole.”
Aidan’s forward-thinking approach surprised nobody at CM.
“He played a tremendous role in planning and organizing CM’s Model UN Conference,” said Mr. Vin Bradley, the Chair of CM’s History Department.
“Intellectual, open, and curious, Aidan possesses an interest in knowing what took place in the past in his quest to seek the truth. He knows all about accountability and the importance of serving others.”
CM Speech and Debate Head Coach Br. Anthony Cavet agreed with Mr. Bradley’s assessment and believes that, based on Aidan’s role on the team, Aidan will thrive on the commission.
A debate captain, Aidan trains the novices while preparing for his own performances at national competitions. Br. Cavet believes that Aidan’s ability to juggle these tasks at a high level illustrates his capacity to lead.
“It’s a hard job because debate students never meet in one place. But he always makes sure to coordinate responsibilities for research and filing,” said Br. Cavet.
“He does this without any prompting from the coach and still puts in sufficient practice time to make himself a consistent final round competitor.”
Last year, Br. Cavet saw Aidan’s hard work pay off when Aidan finished sixth in the state for Extemporaneous Speaking and qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League’s national tournament in Milwaukee.
“This year he was an obvious choice for captain of the debate team,” added Br. Cavet.
Expressing excitement about the commission’s diversity project, Aidan knows that his time on the commission will help extend his capacity to lead at CM.
“We talk a lot here [at CM] about, ‘Character Matters,’” he said.
“Well, I think being on the commission, experiencing all these people from different backgrounds, and working to promote human rights in Dedham will make my character better and set an example for others.”
He listened closely, hoping to learn a thing-or-two about policy from who he saw as the best in the business.
He also knew that, one day, he wanted to stand where Biden and Warren stood.
On December 18th, Aidan made a step in the right direction when he began his year-long term on the Dedham Human Rights Commission. While his pursuit of a career in political science begins on a much smaller stage than the one he watched in July, he still sees the chance to make a big impact.
Citing his experience in CM’s Model UN program and on the Speech and Debate Team, Aidan thinks that his position on the commission will allow him to leave a positive impact on the Dedham community.
“I like how I get to take the experiences and skills that I’ve learned at CM and apply them to the real world,” said Aidan, also a member of the CM Scholars Program, Latin Club Council, and cross country team.
“This position with the commission will be an interesting way to be on the board of an advisory committee than can help me make concrete changes in my community.”
Created in November of 2017, the commission consists of 13 members. The commission works to ensure that Dedham residents enjoy equal opportunities to enjoy life regardless of their background, according to the Town of Dedham’s website
All members, except for the lone student member, serve two-year terms. The student member serves a one-year term.
Last year, then-CM-senior Will Dashe served as the student member on the commission. A mentor to Aidan on CM’s Speech and Debate Team, Will told Aidan about the opportunity ahead. When Will left the commission, Aidan submitted his personal statement and application for the position in July.
“[Will] made it clear that a kid like me would fit that role very well,” said Aidan.
“We’re both very passionate about political activism and think of ourselves as really good speakers. We’re both comfortable being in a room full of adults and filling our own shoes. We know how to communicate our own ideas without being afraid of the situation.”
The commission voted on Aidan’s application in September. When the commission informed him of his acceptance, Aidan says that he immediately turned his attention to the months ahead.
According to Aidan, the commission will spotlight diversity this year. He says that, through a video series called “Discovering Dedham,” the commission plans to tell the stories of Dedham residents from different backgrounds to the town’s younger audience.
“We want to show people in our town how diverse Dedham is a town and how that diversity is a strength,” said Aidan.
“It’s these initiatives that can really separate us and can help the community as a whole.”
Aidan’s forward-thinking approach surprised nobody at CM.
“He played a tremendous role in planning and organizing CM’s Model UN Conference,” said Mr. Vin Bradley, the Chair of CM’s History Department.
“Intellectual, open, and curious, Aidan possesses an interest in knowing what took place in the past in his quest to seek the truth. He knows all about accountability and the importance of serving others.”
CM Speech and Debate Head Coach Br. Anthony Cavet agreed with Mr. Bradley’s assessment and believes that, based on Aidan’s role on the team, Aidan will thrive on the commission.
A debate captain, Aidan trains the novices while preparing for his own performances at national competitions. Br. Cavet believes that Aidan’s ability to juggle these tasks at a high level illustrates his capacity to lead.
“It’s a hard job because debate students never meet in one place. But he always makes sure to coordinate responsibilities for research and filing,” said Br. Cavet.
“He does this without any prompting from the coach and still puts in sufficient practice time to make himself a consistent final round competitor.”
Last year, Br. Cavet saw Aidan’s hard work pay off when Aidan finished sixth in the state for Extemporaneous Speaking and qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League’s national tournament in Milwaukee.
“This year he was an obvious choice for captain of the debate team,” added Br. Cavet.
Expressing excitement about the commission’s diversity project, Aidan knows that his time on the commission will help extend his capacity to lead at CM.
“We talk a lot here [at CM] about, ‘Character Matters,’” he said.
“Well, I think being on the commission, experiencing all these people from different backgrounds, and working to promote human rights in Dedham will make my character better and set an example for others.”
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