Student Spotlight on Charlotte Walsh, Class of 2021

For those of you who have had the opportunity to meet Charlotte, you know that she embraces you with a smile every chance she gets. “I always want to be that person to brighten up someone’s day or make them feel better about themselves,” Charlotte told me in a recent interview. 

The Cincinnati born and Chatham,  New Jersey raised 17-year-old loves to travel. Charlotte wishes to travel after her college years and specifically take on a mission trip with Operation Smile. Her countless hours of involvement with the foundation have shown her the importance of having a smile and has taught her to never take an opportunity to smile for granted. The organization works to fix cleft palates on children so, like many of us, they have the opportunity to share a smile they can be proud of. 

Charlotte lives with her parents in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has attended Cape Henry Collegiate since 8th grade. She is accompanied by her sister Colleen who is an 8th grader at Cape Henry currently. “My sister and I love to go to the beach whenever we get a chance. It is just a place to escape from all the worries, especially now due to COVID-19”, she shared. Charlotte also paints in her free time. “Painting is just so satisfying. Starting with just a line to form a piece of art is something that keeps my spirit up.” Though Charlotte has many hobbies to include on the list such as field hockey and reading, watching sunsets is her favorite activity to partake in. “I think the colors just make me appreciate how awesome the world we live in truly is. Being able to just walk outside, every night, and see such a beautiful spectacle is something I think we take for granted,” Charlotte exclaimed. 

As you can see, Charlotte is a presence in this world that many people fail to appreciate. As she helps to ensure people have a smile on their face whether that be surgically with Operation Smile, or verbally with a friend or teacher at Cape Henry, Charlotte always thinks of the happiness of others. Smiling is truly a contagious action and Charlotte is the queen of its spread at Cape Henry.