The class of 2023 is set to honor Lily Hyde as Valedictorian on Graduation Day. 

Hyde will be taking her impressive talents to Yale University this fall to study molecular biochemistry and biophysics alongside music. And as if that wasn’t enough, she will also be enrolled in the pre-medical track with the goal of becoming a doctor, like her mom. 

Hyde’s transition to high school was a smooth one. However, her freshman year was not that of the typical high schooler. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school year was cut short. Hyde reflects, “It exciting at first. We all thought we were just going to get two weeks off from school. And then it kept going!” 

The pandemic continued into her sophomore year and its impact became greater. She started the year completely remote:  “It was nice, in a way, but it quickly became a drag and repetitive." When she received the letter informing her of which cohort she would be part of, she realized that she was in the one that was staying home. "I started sobbing," she remembers. "I was actually crying, because I was thinking, ‘No! I don’t get to go into school.’ It was the nerdiest thing I have ever done.” 

Ultimately, however, she did get to attend in-person classes that year, eventually attending four days a week. Typical to her nature, she made the most of a difficult situation. 

Hyde finally got back to normality her junior year. She performed very strongly academically and found herself surprised by the classes she enjoyed most, including physics, which led her to take AP physics her senior year. “I honestly liked physics a lot more than I was expecting.” 

She also found her love for chemistry that year, which would ultimately lead to her choosing a major for college. “I really like science," she confesses. "It has always been my favorite subject, and I really liked chemistry because of AP chem with Mr. Norrman.” 

She also talks of her love for her math teacher, Ms. Holloran: “She is the nicest human being ever and such a fantastic teacher; she actually cares about her students.” 

Hyde attended the school sponsored trip to Costa Rica last February and cites it as her favorite memory of senior year: “I was able to get a lot closer to people I didn’t really know and help make other people closer as well.” 

When deciding on which college to attend, Hyde was initially ready to commit to UNC Chapel Hill. She loved the school and got in on early action. When she was accepted to Yale, however, the decision process became a lot harder. She was able to finally make her decision after spending an "Admitted Students Day" at Yale saying, “The more I thought about it, the more it was Yale. And when I visited, it just felt right; it felt like a place where I could pursue my education.” 

During her time at DHS, Hyde participated in an impressive list of clubs and activities, including Debate Club, Tri-M, band, and volleyball, while often taking on significant leadership roles. 

She's always maintained an active life out of school, however. She was a member of Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (a prep ensemble at the New England Conservatory of Music made up of some of the best musicians in the state), a member of  All-State Bands, a loyal employee at L.L. Bean, and an active plant lover. 

Hyde has been the recipient of many awards. One might even say she swept the floor at Junior Awards Night. Here's a list: 

Mathworks Successful in Triage 2022/2023

Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit 2022 

Yale University Book Award 2022

Certificate of Academic Achievement for Mathematics 2022

Richard Cawley Memorial Award 2022 

Superior Honors 2019-2023

AP Scholar Award 2022

Jazz MVP 2022

MMEA Sr. Districts First Chair Euphonium 2022/2023

MMEA All-State First Chair Euphonium 2022/2023

Debate Rookie of the Year 2020

Debate Best at Crossfire 2022

Concert Band Leadership Award 2023

Hyde's high school career was driven by the constant motivation of co-salutatorian, Sydney Parke. They've spent their whole lives as best friends, pushing each other academically. Parke was her biggest inspiration during her high school years and someone that will continue to push her. In Hyde's words, “A little friendly competition never hurt anyone!” 

Hyde would like to thank her parents: “They have always been supportive. They drove me to all my activities, gave up whatever they were doing to accommodate the shenanigans I was up to, made me dinner late at night after all my activities so I didn’t have to worry about it. They were just great!” 

She would also like to thank Ms. Kirby for stepping up as band director when there wasn't one: “It was pretty annoying to be a student in a band you have been in for years and not have anyone to run it and feel like nobody really cared about it. But then Ms. Kirby stepped up and was great!” 

Lily Hyde, one of Dedham's best and brightest, is leaving behind big shoes to fill for the class of 2024. Yale University couldn’t be luckier to have her. Congratulations, Lily!