Olivia Lattanza has the honor of being this year’s Valedictorian at Sachem East. Following in her sister’s footsteps (Brittany was Valedictorian in 2010), but on her own journey and path, Olivia has made the Lattanza family and Sachem proud.
If you head to Sachem East’s graduation on Friday evening you’ll have a chance to hear Lattanza speak from the podium about her experiences at Sachem, and her journey from kindergarten through her senior year. Lattanza will attend Boston College.
Here’s a Q&A with the Valedictorian:
What’s it like finally being named Valedictorian? “I never thought this would have happened and it just did. It’s rewarding and exciting. My parents always told me to try my best and work hard and it paid off.”
And sharing the Valedictorian title with your sister, Brittany? “It’s nice to share that with her. I didn’t believe that would happen. It’s exciting though.”
What are your career aspirations? “I may major in history, I think. I’m not sure yet. Maybe I’ll go to law school or be a professor.”
What were the main clubs and activities you were involved with at Sachem? “Mostly part of the music department, playing the viola in the string ensemble, orchestra.”
What has Sachem meant to you? “All the teachers are so encouraging, especially all the teachers I’ve had this year. They’re always wondering about my life and my family and encouraging me. They’ve impacted my future plans and such.”
Are you prepared for your graduation speech? “I’m done with it. I need to put it away for a few days and not look at it. I don’t want to make it too cliché. I started about two weeks ago with it, thinking about things, but it really came together the last week or so. I’ll try to mention some pop culture things that happened when we first entered kindergarten that everyone can relate. I’ll talk about some teachers and my family, of course.”
How emotional was your last week of high school? It’s bitter sweet. We had senior day and all my friends signed it and it’s kind of sad because you never know when you’re going to see them again. I have my really close friends I’ll keep in touch with.”
The Olivia Lattanza File
College choice: Boston College
Weighted average: 104.96
Advanced Placement courses:
- World History
- English 11
- English 12
- Physics
- U.S. History
- Spanish
- Government and Politics
- Chemistry
- Calculus
Clubs and activities
- Viola in the string ensemble
- Orchestra
- Foreign Language Honor Society
- History Honor Society
- Science Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- Science Club
- History Club
- Special Ed Summer School volunteer for past five years