Milford Student Spotlight: Leo Merturi Keeps Reaching, Makes Every Moment Count

Leo Merturi found out in sixth grade that getting all A’s on your report card meant you get an award called High Honors, and told his mom he was going to get it every year.

“She was like ‘ok, Leo; sure’, and then I did it,” Merturi said.

Seven years later and four years at Jonathan Law High School now under his belt, Merturi has kept striving to reach as far as possible and then keep going.

“The one thing I want to leave high school with is no regrets,” Merturi said. “A lot of things I hear from older people is that they wish they did more; tried harder. That’s something I take with me all the time.”

Merturi has won more than a dozen awards and recognitions over the course of high school, while also playing basketball and writing his own music among other things. He has also been Class President for two years and President of the school’s Multicultural Club, as well as Vice President of the National Honors Society.

Through it all though, Merturi has not really spent time focusing on what little free time he has.

“He’s the real deal and I couldn’t be more proud; he’s the face of Jonathan Law High School,” said JLHS Principal Fran Thompson. “Every once in a while a student comes along that makes a very lasting impression in a very positive way, and Leo is definitely that person. He’s a responsible, respectable, high-quality young man who has blossomed into a true leader at this school.”

Like much of the work in his six AP classes this year, being that kind of leader does not come easy. While his classes and various commitments consistently throw challenges his way, so does life.

The past couple years have seen three of Merturi’s friends pass away, something he has used to both inspire his music and keep him going when times get tough instead of hold him back.

“I have to change [what happened] to a positive in my life,” Merturi said. “I have to understand that life is really short, and that I might not have a lot of time; I might not wake up tomorrow. With all three of their passings, it’s something I really just try to turn into a positive.”

In fact when the going got tough, Merturi got tougher on himself. He stepped up the number of his AP classes and put more focus on writing music in honor of them.

He realized he was living for four now, a journey that is far from over in his opinion as he prepares to attend Wesleyan University in the fall. He applied undecided but is looking towards a major in economics.

“I know it’s not over yet,” Merturi said. “I’m not finished challenging myself and achieving my goals. Now it’s time to get through college, and when I finish [that] it’s time to get through ya know, adult life and working.”

As Merturi leaves Jonathan Law behind, he looks forward to the challenge and fun of a new horizon to reach towards, making every moment count along the way.

“In the end I can always look back and say that I did my best. I challenged myself; I went the furthest I could,” Merturi said. “That’s really what makes it all worth it.”