Sleepy Hollow Valedictorian Looks Forward To Meeting New People

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — This year's valedictorian for the Sleepy Hollow High School Class of 2018 is Olivia Rudder. Patch asked Rudder to answer a few questions about her high school experience and what she looks forward to the in the future.

1. What will you miss most about high school?
I will miss my friends and the sense of community. Most of us have been in school together since kindergarten. We have grown up together. There is a tremendous sense of being accepted for who you are at Sleepy. We have a diverse student body that somehow seems to be able to come together notwithstanding our differences.

2. What are you looking forward to in moving on to college?
I am looking forward to meeting new people from different backgrounds and different places. I want to hear their opinions on life and the world.

3. What was your favorite high school class?
My favorite class in high was physics. I liked it so much that I took it for three years — Physics Honors, AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2.

4. What clubs or extracurriculars were you involved in?
In school, I co-created and help run the Peer Mentor Program. I was a member of the band, captain of the Mock Trial team, a member of PAW (Promoting Animal Welfare) and various honor societies, including the National Honor Society, of which I was co-president. Outside of school I played Club Soccer and helped coach a 6-year-old-girls soccer team for AYSO.

5. What advice would you give to underclassmen?
I would advise underclassmen to join clubs or participate in activities in which you are interested. School can be hard and other activities help give you balance in your life, open you to additional experiences and allow you to meet new people.

6. Any teachers/staff who stood out throughout your journey?
Many. Starting with the many great teachers from the dual language program to so many of my high school teachers. Specifically, Ms. Madani, my physics teacher for three years who taught me to love this subject, Ms. Rosenwasser, who taught me English for two years and helped me become a better writer, Ms. Hickey, who made calculus fun, and Ms. Pousada and Mr. Collado, who helped me perfect my Spanish and taught me to love the Spanish culture. Overall, all of my teachers have been great and really have helped me learn and grow as a person.

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself practicing law or in a lab doing some sort of scientific research.

8. Tell us a fun fact about you.
I can recite the alphabet backwards very fast.

Photo caption: Olivia Rudder. Photo credit: Courtesy.