HGHS Valedictorian: Experience Everything You Can

CHAPPAQUA, NY — This year's valedictorians in the Chappaqua school district are an extraordinary group of young people. Patch asked them to answer a few questions about their high school experience and what they look forward to in the future.

Today, meet Rebecca Thrope.

1. What will you miss most about high school?

Walking into the cafeteria at 7:30 am each morning, I haven’t yet cleared the sleep from my eyes before I am bombarded with a hug. My friends and I often lean on each other; we are (usually) in tune with when the others need a little TLC. Yet, when we are apart, it is harder to provide a long hug through tears in a school bathroom, show up to each others’ houses with cookie cakes, or bring back iced tea for each other during frees. What I am going to miss most about high school are my friends. I know I will keep some of them in my life next year (and probably know about everything that happens to some of them), but the fact that we can’t be there for routine morning hugs or surprise pick-me-ups leaves me feeling like a small part of me is missing.

2. What are you looking forward to in moving on to college?

In college, I most look forward to learning from the diverse perspectives of my peers, and being pushed to try new things by those around me.

3. What was your favorite high school class?

AP Physics C blended my math knowledge with applicable physics concepts. My teacher varied his teaching to match all learning styles, utilizing labs, demos, lecture-style note taking, and group and independent problem work to facilitate a participatory learning environment for everyone in the class. Furthermore, he often connected physics concepts to broader philosophical themes, which further increased my intrigue for physics.

4. What clubs or extra-curricular activities were you involved in?

• Girl Scouts (earned bronze, silver, and gold awards, participated in a number of community service and conservation initiatives with my troop, and organized and hosted a Women in Engineering webinar through my Girl Scout council)
• Nova Jazz Dance Company at the Pulse Performing Arts Studio (as a member of Nova Jazz since third grade, I attend dance class Monday-Thursday and have performed at a range of venues including Disney World, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Hands Up for Haiti, the UBS Parade Spectacular, and community events)
• Horace Greeley Science Research Program, which included a summer conducting superconductor research with my mentor at Tufts University
• Assistant Teacher for religious school classes at my synagogue
• Co president of my synagogue’s United Synagogue Youth chapter
• Peer tutor
• Peer leader
• Member of the Breakfast/Autism Awareness Club
• Horace Greeley High School Band (first clarinet and concert mistress)
• Relay for Life team captain
• I have also participated in two environmentally-focused summer programs.

5. What advice would you give to underclassmen?

When I first entered high school, I stressed--a lot. I felt the need to have everything figured out--my career, my time management skills, my future. Yet, as I progressed through high school, I learned that nobody has it all figured out--even those who we look up to as exemplars of “having things figured out.” I would tell underclassmen to experience as much as they can, and know that having it all figured out often only leads to disappointment. It’s ok not to know who you are or what you want to be, just make the decision to fully experience everything you can, have confidence, and value the people close to you along the way.

6. Any teachers/staff who stood out throughout your journey?

I have been fortunate to have many engaging teachers who have been incredible mentors to me. Some who stand out are my freshman biology teacher, whom I have been on three February break trips and I often visit for discussion and guidance, my chemistry teacher, science research teachers, and physics teachers, who have each provided connections between science concepts and life, shared their experiences as scientists and activists, and encouraged me to reach for my dreams in science and engineering, my sophomore AP European history teacher and senior History Independent Study teacher, who knows more about everything than I ever will about anything and turns our independent study meetings into deep philosophical explorations, my math teachers for all four years of high school, who each encouraged class participation and collaboration and took time after school to help me solidify math concepts, my English teachers over the past four years, who have helped me to think more deeply and trust my instincts, and my band teacher, who continues to encourage the arts being an outlet in the lives of all of his students' lives.

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

As a sophomore science research student, I knew that we need to change how we source our energy--quickly. I researched alternative energy and discovered what scientists hail as “the energy of the future”: nuclear fusion. This past summer, I continued on my fusion journey conducting superconductor research with Professor Chiesa at the Tufts University Superconductivity Lab. In ten years, I would like to be working towards making nuclear fusion “the energy of today.”

8. Tell us a fun fact about you.

I am a trained magician.