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We are proud to announce Julia Whalen as Valedictorian and Sofia Lam as Salutatorian for the Yorktown High School Class of 2024. Please join us in celebrating these two exceptional students and their remarkable achievements.
Julia Whalen – Valedictorian
What are your plans for next year, academic or otherwise?
To read a lot of books. I already read a decent amount, but I’d like to dedicate even more of my time to it when I get to college. I hope to knock Pride and Prejudice (for a friend), Dune: Messiah (love me a good corruption arc), and the Lord of the Rings trilogy (because those need a good re-read every few years) off my list next year — but I always seem to keep getting distracted by new books, so who knows?
What are your favorite subjects and what do you enjoy most about them?
History. Is anyone surprised? I love the inherent mystery and complexity of historical study, and I love how history classes push me to read and think more than I ever would by myself. AP United States History last year was the best class I’ve ever taken – DBQs and all – and I’m having a lot of fun in Euro this year. English is a close runner-up favorite, as is Honors Chem.
What extracurricular activities have been involved in?
I’m in the Environmental Club, Wind Ensemble, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Varsity XC Team, Book Club, and I tutor in the Writing Center. Phew. I’m also Comandante of the History Club, which mostly involves checking the power of Constitutional Monarch (Advisor) Egan and securing the rights of Student and History Club Citizen.
Of which accomplishments are you most proud?
I’m super proud of the solo I took in the band concert last year – I’ve been told that I helped to inspire the younger generation of flute players, which is more rewarding than any other kind of accolade. It’s also mind-blowing to me how much I’ve been able to improve my writing skills over the past year or so. I find it much easier to be creative, synthesize information from what I’ve researched, and simply be more engaging and interesting in what I write.
Who or what has inspired/motivated you the most in your education?
That has to be a tie between my friends and music. I would never have gotten as much out of my academic journey without Bryn and Jillian, who have always been there to brighten my day, cheer me on in pursuing my goals, and remind me to prioritize my well-being. Music has also been a key force in my inspiration, helping me keep studying until I am confident with every concept — or giving me ideas to take my creative projects from outlines to masterpieces.
What is your favorite memory at Yorktown CSD?
The most defining of my memories here is the first time I ever played with the Pep Band during a football game. In the spring of my freshman year, it was the first time I truly understood what having a high school and band community supporting me would be like. I’m not much of a sports fan (or a socializing fan), but the enthusiasm during the game was contagious and created a truly unforgettable atmosphere. I was able to learn all the inside jokes of my bandmates, work together with the cheerleaders and the family members in the stands to cheer on the team, and share the first special evening of many with my high school community.
Sofia Lam – Salutatorian
What are your plans for next year, academic or otherwise?
I plan to attend college, hopefully studying chemistry or applied mathematics.
What are your favorite subjects and what do you enjoy most about them?
I've always loved science and math, for helping explain the way the world works and teaching me to solve problems a little better than before.
What extracurricular activities have been involved in?
Science Olympiad, Varsity Ski Team, Math Honor Society
Of which accomplishments are you most proud?
I had a difficult time handling the workload and managing my time during my first two years of high school. I'm proud that I didn't give up and kept going to eventually get a hang of things last year.
Who or what has inspired/motivated you the most in your education?
I'm grateful for my family, who has given me never ending support and inspired me to not give up in the most stressful times, my friends who have always had my back and motivated me to do my best, and my teachers for always answering my many questions about topics I didn't understand and inspiring me to learn more about the world every day.
What is your favorite memory at Yorktown CSD?
My favorite memory is going to Science Olympiad States with my teammates and teachers. From working with my teammates on different events to making instant noodles with them in the hotel room, I feel like I got to bond with them a little more and create many fun memories.
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