Celebrating Kate Guittari ’22, Morehead-Cain Scholar

In the serenity of her University of North Carolina dorm, a moment of destiny unfolded for Kate Guittari ’22 last fall.

It was then that Guittari, currently pursuing a neuroscience major on the pre-med track, received the news that she had been selected as one of the inaugural recipients of the Morehead-Cain Scholarship’s Sophomore Intake Initiative.

Guittari vividly recalled the instant the email arrived. “I was sitting in the lobby of my dorm, obsessively checking my inbox. When I  finally received the notification and read, ‘Congratulations,’ I leaped out of my seat, ran out the front door without any direction in mind, and called my mom and others who have always supported me.”

Traditionally reserved for incoming students, the Morehead-Cain Foundation extended the prestigious merit-based scholarship to UNC sophomores this year. Guittari stands among an elite group of 15 scholars, following in the footsteps of former Morehead-Cain Scholars from Peddie, Tom Golden ’07 and JR Rodrigo ’11.

Peddie’s Head of School Peter Quinn shared his excitement, stating, “I am thrilled for Kate. She was an exceptional student at Peddie, and more importantly, she made a substantial contribution to every undertaking, every team and every group of which she was a member. Her achievement as a Morehead-Cain Scholar is a testament to her attitude and approach and how earnestly she seeks the ‘highest quality of citizenship.'”

Guittari plans to pursue a self-designed project next year. With aspirations of becoming a pediatrician, she looks forward to leveraging the wisdom of Morehead-Cain advisors and UNC Hospital pediatricians throughout her journey.

Guittari recognized the transformative impact of her Peddie experience, stating, “At Peddie, I realized that I was more inquisitive, resilient and capable than I had believed myself to be. I learned that curiosity is invaluable, as it can lead you on paths that challenge your perception of the world.”

She added, “Just as I did at Peddie, I will continue to learn by seeking out meaningful experiences and relationships.”

Headshot of Kate taken by Ira Wilder.