Clarkstown North H.S. Salutatorian: Jamie Etkind

While Jamie Etkind is unsure what she wants to do next in life, she will follow a method that has been very successful for her the past four years – putting one foot in front of the other and seeing where it takes her.

So far, that strategy has worked out well for the track and field standout and Clarkstown North High School's salutatorian.

Etkind, 17, of New City, has been a four-year varsity member of both the winter and spring track and field squads and served as a captain in the spring of her junior year for both winter and spring seasons in her senior year. She also was an all-county performer for five of those for eight seasons.

Her main events were the long jump, triple jump and hurdles.

"Jumping is my true passion," said the daughter of Lanie and Steven Etkind. "I had an awesome coach who knows what he's doing and everything was very intense. There was as much a mental aspect to the training as there was a physical aspect to it."

It was through track and field that she became a member of Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse. The group's members choose to abstain from alcohol and other drugs throughout their high school careers, and they go to local elementary schools and the middle school to talk to students about the importance of making the right choices as they get older.

Etkind said she could tell the high schoolers made a difference with the younger students about this important topic.

She also was co-founder and co-president for three years for Youth for Hospice, a student-led community service group that works to raise money for United Hospice of Rockland and help out at hospice functions. 

Etkind will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall but is undecided on a major or possible career choice at this time. She said she chose the school because it has "prestigious programs all around" and will make a degree decision once she has decides what piques her interest.

 It beat out her second choice, Northwestern, in part because of its proximity to home and, in part, because "I got a better vibe from Penn. There seems to be so much energy there."

 Her scholastic achievements include being a National Merit Scholar finalist, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), social studies, foreign language and science honor societies.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano and reading.

Etkind said she was surprised to earn the salutatorian recognition as she gradually moved up in her class throughout her four years. Still, she's honored and excited by what the honor entails.

"I really thought I was going to finish third," she said. "I'm really happy and excited to deliver my speech Tuesday."

The threat of rain has lead Clarkstown school offiicals to change their plans for tonight's Clarkstown North High School graduation.

Instead of holding ceremonies at the North campus in New City, graduation is now set for 6 tonight at the Rockland Community College Fieldhouse on College Road in Ramapo.