Salutatorian Heading to Ivy League

Co-Salutatorian Isabelle Salaun's extreme success at DHS has led her to the Ivy League's Cornell University, where she will study as a chemistry major this fall.  

Salaun's DHS career started off normal until the COVID-19 pandemic took her out of school. Like the rest of her class, she finished the rest of freshman year at home learning remotely without face to face Zoom sessions. Even under these challenging circumstances, she still managed to receive the Freshman Art Award that year.  

School was back to in-person learning when her junior year began, but was still not back to normal, as there were mask mandates in place and limits on how many people could sit at a lunch table. Still, Salaun earned the prestigious Harvard Book Award, the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit Award 2022, the AP Scholar with Distinction Award 2022, and the MVP Award for Girls Tennis.  

By her senior year, the effects of the pandemic had mostly subsided and students began sitting and talking together again. Salaun feels that everyone started to have more fun. "The class grew closer," she reflects.

Salaun names Ms. Vega, Mr. Norrman, Ms. Holloran, and Ms. Edwards as her favorite teachers.  Mr. Norrman's AP chemistry class, in particular, had a big impact on her, as she hopes to go into the science field, doing something lab-based and technology related.

The biggest challenge she faced in high school was taking six Advanced Placement classes during her senior year, which she describes as being very difficult, requiring time management skills and enduring many nights of staying up until 2 a.m. studying.  

Even with her rigorous academic schedule, including 11 total AP classes, Salaun participated in many extracurricular activities at DHS, such as link crew, NHS, and a visual arts internship with the town’s art association. She played on the Marauder soccer and tennis teams for four years, serving as tennis captain in 2022.  

On her own time, she enjoys dog-walking, gardening and photography at Squirrel Island, Maine, where she spends her summers working for multiple internships for the community and historical society, and as an assistant manager of the Tea Shop.  She also rides horses at Harlequin Stables, volunteering over 200 hours at the barn, and show jumping at Apple Knoll Farm.  An avid photographer and painter, Salaun is proud of her growing portfolio.  

When asked what she'll miss most about her high school experience, she says, "My friends, Chipotle day, popcorn chicken bowls, and football season."

Salaun's advice to underclassmen: 

Challenge yourself. 

Take as many hard classes as you can.

Learn to love learning. 

Don't forget to have fun. 

Make the best of each day.

Don’t take things for granted.