Irvington Student Off to MIT Expounds on Her IHS Experience

Irvington's Class of 2012 salutatorian Julia Canning is off to MIT in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

During high school, she was on the track and cross-country teams for four years—and was a member of the mock trial team, math club and Latin club.

Most of the volunteer work she's done has been through her church—"We often participate in midnight runs, organize events for the younger kids at the church, or organize benefit dinners in certain situations, such as providing relief work following the tsunami and earthquake last year in Japan," she said.

What stands out for Canning most during her time in Irvington were the League meets for cross-country and the Latin club Saturnalia festival—though she said there were so many it was hard to distill the most memorable experiences  

So how did she excel?

"I think a few things helped me. First of all, I enjoyed most of the things I was learning, or tried to find some interest in them, so the work didn't seem like such a burden. I also realized that grades aren't everything and I didn't spend all my time studying."

She left time for hanging out with friends, relaxing, and anways participating in a sport—"which I think helps balance academics and gives your mind a break," she said.

For current high school students Canning recommends that they, "budget their time, try to take classes that interest them (especially during junior and senior year), and try their best but remember that grades aren't everything."

Canning said she began writing her salutatory speech by thinking about what she wanted to say to her classmates and what hopefully wouldn't come across as cliche.

"I thought it would be good to talk about happiness and finding something you love to do. During high school, a lot of emphasis seems to be put on 'achieving,' getting good grades, taking the 'right' classes, and getting into a good college."

Though it can be pretty stressful, she said, "I think sometimes we forget that we should be looking for something that makes us happy. Once I had my topic, of course, I tried to think of and search for quotes or stories that would help support it."

Canning said she was mainly self-driven.

"My parents and friends of course contributed to my desire to do well academically because it's important to both of them. But my parents usually left me to manage my own work, and I put a lot of effort in."