“I never really intended to get that far in Homecoming Court — I ran mostly to see how far I could get and didn’t expect much. At first, I thought I’d get knocked out in the nomination round or Top 10, but once I made it far, I was motivated knowing people actually wanted to vote for me. It was nice to feel recognized and have people support me, especially since the initial nominations were mostly a joke between friends.

For all four years, I’ve been treasurer of Class Council, managing events and fundraisers alongside the other treasurers. Being in Class Council has kept me connected with my grade and required me to communicate with people I might not have known otherwise. I’m also a part of Competitive Programming Club, where we host lectures for students interested in programming, and VSA, which is a cultural club.

I’m also in band, and during competitions last year I would talk to a senior named Ethan. Talking to him helped me realize that everyone has their own interests and paths in life, and not everything revolves around the same goals or definitions of success. This really helped me expand my empathy.

This year, I’ve pushed myself to try new things like joining lip sync and trying out for a dance team. I’ve learned that it’s important to take high school seriously, but also to enjoy it — spending time with friends and making memories is just as important as academics. I think it’s important to understand that everyone has their own passions and struggles, and taking time to learn what others care about helps make genuine connections.

I’m looking forward to senior year feeling a bit more carefree after college applications. I’m excited to bond more with my friends and to make the most of our last year together. I’m really proud of my time at Irvington and hope to be remembered as someone who balanced academics and their social life and encouraged others to do the same.”