LZHS Valedictorian Recalls Four Years With The 'Double Ones'

As Jessica Wang prepares to move on to the next phase of her life - attending her dream school, Yale - she feels both nervous and excited.

"At times, I feel like I physically have immeasurable amounts of energy stored within myself, ready to explode out and grab at all the opportunities that'll be present in the fall," Wang said of attending Yale, where she will start out with an undecided major. She's considering seeking a law degree. "I want to join an a cappella group in college and explore theater since I never had the time in high school to go that route. I'm worried that four years is too short for me to pursue everything I've wanted from college and that I won't be able to take every class I've wanted to by then."

She definitely fit a lot into her four years at Lake Zurich High School, where she graduated May 28 as valedictorian. She was president of Student Council, president of Orchestra, co-president of the Math Team and president of French Club. She was also a member of National Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl and the Science Club. She also found time to run track and cross country.

"I am very excited to start a new phase of my life in New Haven, CT," said Wang. "I'm excited to take advantage of the limitless opportunities and resources at Yale and become more independent."

She is also looking forward to living in the school's residential area, "replete with secret gardens, hammocks (and) theaters" and can't wait to "spend hours in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library and meet lots of different and diverse people."

"However, I've always loved LZHS's inclusiveness and I love that LZHS is not very cliquey. I was able to explore across different 'groups,' from athletics to academic clubs to music," said Wang. "A really important example of this was how for Charity Bash this year, I participated in the Drama Club 'Koffee House' and sang a cappella 'King of Anything' for the first time among the drama 'group' and they were all so supportive and enthusiastic!"

Wang said she will miss the wonderful teachers, coaches, counselors and sponsors who have helped her over the years at LZHS. She will also miss her family when she leaves for Yale this fall.

"For the past 18 years of my life, I've always been with them, and now I will be roughly 14 hours away - by car," said Wang.

She added of the LZHS and Lake Zurich communities: "Lake Zurich, and LZHS, have been the perfect size and was the perfect setting for me to mature and learn. I will always have a spot for LZHS and Lake Zurich in my heart."

Editor's note: Included is a .pdf of Jessica Wang's speech, including the editing marks she made that show the great effort she put into writing her speech. Good job, Jessica, and congratulations!