Marked by high stress, hormonal surges, and a slew of momentous “firsts,” high school is said to be the craziest and most memorable four years of a person’s life. Now, toss in a global pandemic, worldwide political unrest, a year of learning through a computer screen, and you’ll have the whirlwind that has been the Class of ‘22.

The resilience of the entire senior class is admirable, but one student in particular has exemplified outstanding strength and work ethic over these four tumultuous years, and that's why Susan Reynolds is being recognized as valedictorian.

In her time at DHS, Susan has achieved impressive accolades. She has taken a remarkable nine AP classes and received superior honor roll all four years. In addition, Susan is the recipient of the prestigious Harvard Book Award, the 2020 Richard Gilder History Prize, the AP Scholar with Distinction Award from College Board, and the Certificate of Academic Achievement for the World Language Department for Spanish.

Upon being asked how she has achieved and maintained such impressive grades, the valedictorian quips, “Anxiety mostly…and caffeine.” She also highlights the importance of completing assignments, time management, and “10 minute power naps,” which she claims have been crucial to her academic success.

In addition to her academic prowess, Susan has developed a remarkable resume of extracurriculars. Our valedictorian is vice president of National Honor Society and secretary of SADD Club, as well as a member of Science Olympiad, Feminist Club, and New England Math League. Not to mention her athletic achievements on the girls varsity field hockey team, of which she was a captain, and varsity lacrosse.

Susan’s favorite high school memory was defeating Dover-Sherborn in field hockey and winning the 2021 TVL Championship. “After five years on the DHSGFH team, being able to go out with a TVL championship was so rewarding, and couldn’t have been done without the determination of my teammates, our 13 seniors, and our incredible coaches.”

Other notable memories include prom, APUSH debates, and seeing Dolores every day in the cafeteria. The school lunch veteran reflects on her twelve years of DPS meals and remarks, “I will take away the importance of condiments and bringing your own hot sauce”.

Despite her devotion to her studies, Susan makes time for her hobbies as well. Susan is an avid volunteer, donating her time to the Dedham Square Farmer’s Market and Dedham Youth Field Hockey. The self-proclaimed “serial job switcher” has also had six jobs during high school: a bookseller at Barnes and Noble, a ski instructor at Blue Hills, a lifeguard at Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, an academic tutor, babysitter, and dogsitter. She can really do it all!

On top of that, the scholar has a few hidden talents. She’s a skilled seamstress who specializes in thrifting and upcycling garments. She is also very active. In addition to field hockey, Susan enjoys hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. In her free time (if you can believe she has any!), Susan is a keen reader. In the past two years, Susan has read 107 books! A few of her favorites are The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Verity by Colleen Hoover, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

Susan’s favorite classes at DHS were AP Literature and AP Biology. She says, “The energy and enthusiasm in AP Lit is contagious and a unique atmosphere that I will miss next year!” Her favorite high school teacher was Mrs. Hill. Susan describes her as “a teacher who always prioritized answering our questions and making complicated biological concepts easy to understand.”

Susan Reynolds will be taking her talents to UMass Amherst in the fall. The scholar was drawn to the school for its massive size, resources, and research programs. Susan plans to major in biology at the College of Natural Sciences and is considering a minor in mathematics. She says, “I love learning about life and the study of biology seems to continuously answer questions I didn’t know I had…Math is like another language and solving problems and learning about new ways to manipulate numbers and variables is really satisfying and, might I add, fun." In the following years, Susan hopes to attend medical school to become a pathologist (a doctor who performs laboratory tests to study diseases by examining body tissues and other materials).

Our valedictorian cites one role model in particular for inspiring her to strive for the greatness she’s achieved: her mom. “My mom has had the biggest impact on the person I am today. Without her hard working example, I don't believe I would have developed the drive and determination I have now.” Susan’s mother, Mary Reynolds, is a nurse practitioner at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She is one of the reasons why Susan hopes to enter the medical field.

Susan would also like to thank all her teachers, her amazing friends (“milfamos”), and her favorite coach, Emac, for making her high school experience so unforgettable. She congratulates the Class of 22 for surviving “the most unique, dystopian-esque four years of high school to date” and can’t wait to see all her classmates achieve in their future endeavors.

Among all the awards, titles, and recognitions, Susan remains, above all else, an authentic and gracious friend to many. She leads from the heart in all she does and maintains the values of sincerity, determination, and kindness. DHS was truly made a better place by her sunny presence and one-of-a-kind intellect.