Meet ACE's Newest Blogger: Iona Hughan

Born and raised in San Francisco, I left home at 13 to attend a unique boarding high school in Southern California, after which I found my way to the University of Notre Dame. As an undergrad, I majored in the Program of Liberal Studies, which I like to describe as a major devoted to the study of ideas, specifically those ideas which have shaped the history of the Western World and lie hidden in the Great Books. We started with Homer's Iliad and advanced at breakneck speed to finish with Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, four years and 81+ major texts later. Midway through all that, I hopped across the pond to spend my junior year studying English Literature and rowing at the University of Oxford, New College.

When I wasn't buried in books, I was learning about the world in more immediate ways—mostly through service of all kinds. With the support of the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program, I spent the summer after my freshman year at a Children's Home and Hospice in rural South Africa, and returned the next summer to intern with Educo Africa, an NGO which leads backpacking trips for at-risk youth in the mountains north of Cape Town. During the school year in South Bend, I volunteered with Triple C, a rock climbing and outdoor program for youth; Reins of Life, a therapeutic horseback riding program for mentally and physically disabled youth; Imani Unidad, an HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Advocacy Center; and Take Ten, an anti-violence program for youth at the Center for the Homeless.

Which just about brings us to the present moment: the beginning of my two years teaching English at Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, FL. Grateful for all the wisdom and guidance I received during my first ACE Summer, I am excited to be in a classroom of my own, teaching freshmen and juniors. And you know what's pretty cool? My young freshmen are starting right where I did, with Homer, and it's equal parts bizarre and exhilarating to watch the journey happen from the other side.

I'm also excited to be helping coach the girls' lacrosse team at TC, a school where I've been told "sports are king." Go Crusaders!