Valedictorian Proclamation

Sometimes there are entire processes that go on without the knowledge of people who are outside the process. For example, everyone knows that each high school graduating class has a Valedictorian who makes a speech at June Graduation. Until you personally know a Valedictorian, you might not know all of the other details that are associated with this event.

Yesterday, I attended a wonderful program in the Sullivan County Government Legislative Chambers. The pupose was to honor the Valedictorians of each and every high school within Sullivan County. Each district Superintendent introduced each High School principal, who gave a brief biography of each scholar. Their County Legislators then presented the bright students with a Certificate of Commendation. It was very impressive to see that each Valedictorian seemed to be a well rounded person with a list of achievements that go beyond pure academia.  Most were musicians, athletes, leaders and strong community servants. Anecdotally, they were all female with the exception of the exceptional young man from the Fallsburg School District, who happens to be from Mountaindale, New York, and coincidentally happens to be my son, Aaron Schmitt. Mountaindale has had other Valedictorian residents, such as our past Sullivan Renaissance Summer Intern Ashley Hunter, who just graduated from Yale and is a marvelous young woman.

I had previously noticed that there is an unusually high ratio of female Valedictorians in our county. The year that Ashley graduated, I had invited her and the Liberty Valedictorian to meet my Girl Scout Troop at a "Gals Who Excel Tea" in Mountaindale. I think it is important for young girls to understand that they CAN excel in all subjects, especially Math and Sciences, where girls are frequently under estimated.

I look forward to getting to know more about the Valedictorians who are graduating this year. I am so glad to see that they will continue to be recognized for their achievements at upcoming events like a dinner in their honor at the Eldred Preserve and when they will be recognized next month on a state level by New York State Senator John Bonacic who will be hosting them at this prestigious event. These people represent a great ray of hope for our future.