Prep Journeys: Emory Thorn '26

For Emory Thorn ’26, the path to his future has been shaped by discipline, opportunity, and a growing understanding of his own potential.

Thorn has spent his time at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School balancing academics, athletics, and service. Over the past four years, he has been involved in Bowling, Black and Latino Culture Club, and A4, while also participating in TMF Hawks through the Travis Manion Foundation during his junior and senior years. More recently, he even picked up fencing, continuing his willingness to challenge himself in new ways.

Looking back on his time at the Prep, Thorn describes the experience as transformative both academically and personally.

“So far, it’s been really good,” Thorn said. “I’ve met great people, and the Prep has done the best job at preparing me for college-level courses.”

“Math was always my best subject growing up,” Thorn said. “As I got older and learned more in high school, especially through subjects like chemistry and physics, I started to appreciate how versatile math really is.”

That versatility is one of the main reasons Thorn plans to major in Mathematics at Drexel University this fall. During an admitted students day visit, he remembers hearing a professor explain how mathematics can open doors into a wide range of fields, including engineering, analytics, and research.

“That really stood out to me,” Thorn said. “Math gives you so many options.”

His growing interest in analytics and data-driven thinking was strengthened even further through the UPenn Rising Scholars Success Academy last summer. During the program, Thorn and his group completed a capstone project focused on food insecurity, analyzing data, and presenting their findings through percentages and statistical trends.

“I realized how often people use percentages and data to prove their points,” Thorn said. “That was really interesting to me.”

Outside the classroom, Thorn has also found ways to use his academic strengths to help others. This summer, he plans to continue volunteering as part of a math clinic held at his cousin’s barber shop, tutoring grade school students in algebra and foundational math skills.

“When I got to the Prep, algebra was probably the thing I felt least prepared for,” Thorn explained. “I want younger students to feel more confident going into high school.”

Thorn credits many of his teachers at the Prep for helping strengthen both his confidence and his interest in mathematics, including Mr. Joe Falcone ’91, Mr. Dan Kilpatrick ’94, Mr. Mark Kravitz, and Ms. Lisann Castango.

Alongside his academic journey, Thorn also became part of the LaRoche Scholars Founding Cohort, a program focused on helping students navigate college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. Introduced to the foundation through Prep alumnus Gregory Turlington ’79, Thorn says the experience has helped him better understand both the college process and the importance of long-term planning.

“The goal of the foundation is to help students avoid paying full tuition,” Thorn said. “There are so many scholarships out there, but they require effort and preparation.”

Through the process, Thorn learned the importance of academic rigor and challenging himself with difficult coursework. One of the most demanding experiences of his Prep career came in AP Physics C, a course he entered without first taking AP Physics 1.

“At first, I definitely struggled to keep up,” Thorn said. “A lot of the students had taken a different path to get there, and I realized I needed to speak up and ask for extra help.”

Over time, Thorn adjusted to the pace of the course and eventually found his footing.

“Once we got into derivatives and integrals, that’s when things started clicking for me,” he said.

Beyond academics, Thorn believes the Prep has helped shape his character and understanding of community. Through required service hours and experiences outside the classroom, he developed a stronger appreciation for helping others and being present for people who may feel overlooked or isolated.

One experience that especially impacted him was traveling to Washington, D.C., with The Sneham Association to help feed and clothe individuals experiencing homelessness.

“It felt really good to help other people,” Thorn said. “That’s something I want to continue doing.”

His Ignatian Spirituality elective also played an important role in helping him connect more deeply with Jesuit values, particularly the idea of “walking with the excluded.”

“I remember sometimes feeling alone during my freshman year,” Thorn said. “I don’t want anyone else to feel like that. If I can help someone feel included or supported, that matters to me.”

That mindset is something Thorn hopes to carry with him to Drexel, where he plans to continue tutoring and mentoring students while pursuing a future in analytics or research. One day, he hopes to work for organizations like NASA or in a scientific data analysis role.

Looking back on his Prep journey, Thorn describes it in one word: “Potential.”

“The Prep exists as a place where you realize your potential,” Thorn said. “Just by being here and putting in the work, you start to understand what kind of life you want for yourself. And if you’re not happy with where you are, there are always opportunities to grow and change.”

For Thorn, that growth has come through preparation, persistence, and the willingness to challenge himself both inside and outside the classroom. As he prepares for his next chapter at Drexel, he carries with him not only a strong academic foundation, but also a deeper understanding of how his education can be used in service of others.

“It’s true that preparation meets opportunity,” Thorn said. “The more prepared you are, the more you can get out of the opportunities in front of you.”