"Loyola has so many opportunities. I have been able to pursue academic interests as well develop diverse hobbies. I have developed an amazing group of friends who support me and help me grow," says Clavius Scholar Matthew J. Griesmeyer, who is also a four-year member of the Scholastic Bowl and Math Team, for which he currently serves as captain. When they aren't singing with the Acafellas, Loyola’s all male a cappella group, you might find them at a meeting of the E-Gaming Club, Loyola Alliance, which seeks to build a more inclusive and accepting school culture through education and fellowship between our LGBT students and their allies, solving logic puzzles and crosswords, playing on their rec league baseball team or volunteering at Our Place, which supports teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Matthew's favorite classes at LA? There's a few. First is AP Chemistry with Ms. Ann Michels. "I love how chemistry incorporates math, and I enjoyed learning how things combine at a molecular level," they say. "This class sparked an interest I want to continue." In addition, Ethics last year and Justice Seminar this year with Mr. Trevor Clark. "Mr. Clark has made a tremendous impact on me. I love how Justice Seminar is a discussion-oriented class, which has allowed me to learn from my peers and hear different ideas and opinions," Matthew says. "I get so much out of the class because of how open everyone is, which allows for deep thinking and meaningful dialogue about Justice."   

In college, Matthew plans on studying something in the fields of math and science.