Jillian Murray

Cititus. altius. Fortius. Three words that have motivated and pushed her to succeed.

When Jillian Murray was in elementary school, her dad taught her these three Latin words. They mean faster, higher, stronger, and have been the Olympic motto since 1894. They are a personal refrain in Jillian’s life, helping her excel in the face of challenges and tragedy. While Jillian has many family responsibilities, she works hard to excel in all other areas of her life: in the classroom, on the track, and in her community. She is the captain of her track and field team and a source of motivation and encouragement for her teammates.

In the seventh grade, Jillian was faced with the loss of her mother and sister in a car accident. As a way to honor their memory Jillian has taken a leadership role in her area’s chapter of “Girls Up,” a program started by her mother. “Girls Up” is affiliated with the United Nations Campaign “Girl Up,” and Jillian is one of just 15 high school students nationwide chosen to represent the organization, which helps young girls in developing countries gain life opportunities.

The challenges Jillian has faced have helped develop her incredible capacity for empathy while solidifying her personal drive to be faster, go higher, and be stronger.