Fiona Macdonald

Fiona, a senior at Denver East High School, is a standout scholar, advocate, and athlete. She is a 2-time Colorado state champion in International Extemporaneous Speaking, a speech and debate event where participants deliver a seven-minute speech on a global topic with just 30 minutes of preparation. Beyond debate, Fiona is the State/Federal Co-Lead for East Students Demand Action, where she organizes and testifies at state legislative hearings on gun violence prevention. She has been recognized as a National Merit Scholarship finalist and will travel to England next month as part of Oxford University’s accepted students program. Fiona also plays on East’s varsity field hockey team.

Lessons from Logan

Arriving at Logan in Upper Intermediate School (6th grade), Fiona embraced the independence of managing her own schedule, developing time-blocking skills that still serve her today. The close relationships she built with teachers at Logan also shaped her approach to learning—teaching her to seek out strong mentorships in high school and beyond.

Advice for Current Students

“Take advantage of the opportunity to do a deep dive into something you're interested in.” Fiona says something she misses is the depth and quality of inquiry that was emphasized at Logan, whereas she finds high school emphasizes breadth and quantity to a greater degree.