Schools
Q&A: HS West Valedictorian Sarah Han
A Patch chat with Sarah Han, who is headed to Dartmouth College in the fall.
Sarah Han is the valedictorian of the High School West Class of 2013.
Han will attend Dartmouth College in the fall. She plans to major in economics.
Q&A
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1. What will you miss most about high school?
2. What was your favorite high school class?
My favorite high school class was definitely AP Physics B taught by the one and only Mr. Caliguiri. Physics was not my favorite subject, but Caliguiri's class was a highlight of my junior year and of my high school career. I had such a fun group of peers (both juniors and seniors) and a wonderful teacher. Mr. Caliguiri was skilled not only in physics but also in story-telling. His famed "Jiffy-Lube" story was legendary and every year students anxiously awaited when he would reveal it. What made the story so amazing was simply the way he told it! I also learned so much politically in his class (in our free time of course!). Mr. Caliguiri was such a dynamic man...I miss going to second period (and third period every other day) physics!
3. What clubs or extra-curricular activities were you involved in?
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I was involved in my school newspaper, the Roundup, for all four years of high school where I was a staff writer, then editor, and the editor-in-chief this past year. I was also involved in Spanish club, Spanish honor society, Tri-M music honor society, and National Honor Society. Additionally, I was in the cross campus chamber orchestra between High School West and East all four years of high school, where I played cello. I was a member of the varsity girls tennis team all four years of high school, and I was a co-captain for the last three years. I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House for the past two years as well.
4. What advice would you give to underclassmen?
5. Any teachers/staff who stood out throughout your journey?
(In addition to Caliguiri...) Yes, my newspaper advisor Mr. Riccuiti has stood out to me in my journey. I've known him for all four years of high school and I grew to love him (from initial fear- he can be scary when he is angry!). He has taught me so much about journalism, about the power of a publication, and about myself. I have a lot more direction about where I want to head in the future because of him.
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
10 years? Wow...I would be 28, gosh...Well, I think in 10 years I would have liked to have graduated college, and possibly law school, and have a job! But academics aside, I would like to have travelled the world, learned another language (or two), learned how to cook well, and have discovered a lot about myself and the world. I would like to still have dreams and hope for the future, to be happy, and have given back to my community in some way!
7. What are you looking forward to in moving on to college?
I am looking forward to meeting a whole new community. I have known some of my high school peers since pre-school which is a very long time. It is exciting for me to be heading in a completely different direction from my peers, and to be in an entirely fresh environment. I am looking forward to trying new things and learning a lot from other people's life experiences.
8. Tell us a fun fact about you.
I can't sing for my life!!!
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