The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Class top two aspire to help others
VERONA >> Vernon- VeronaSherrill Valedictorian Melissa Schmalz and Salutatorian Paige Zupan are both pursuing their favorite subject from high school, biology, in college.
Schmalz will be attending SUNY Geneseo for biology with a pre- medical studies minor. Accepted as an early decision in December, she was thrilled because Geneseo was her first choice for college. She hopes to follow up college with medical school and eventually become a pediatrician or an orthopedist. “I just think biology is interesting,” Schmalz said.
“I’ve always been really interested in science, learning about the body and nutrition,” Zupan said. She will be attending Hamilton College for biology, which was her first choice despite applying late in the school year.
She said she was unsure what she wanted to do after college, though she wants to work in the health field. She may minor in communications or another field. She explained that Hamilton has fairly relaxed curriculum guidelines, essentially allowing her to make whatever she wants out of her education.
Both of the VVS class leaders are active members of the local sports teams. Zupan plays field hockey and basketball while Schmalz enjoys tennis. In addition to sports and maintaining high GPAs, both girls participated in a wide variety of extra curricular activities, including mathletics, LEAD VVS, and student government. Both students are also high school math tutors.
“Everyone in the community has played such a role in our education,” Zupan said.
“We have good support here in such a small community,” Schmalz said. “Everyone is always rooting for you.”
The girls said VVS has helped shape them into who they are today, from the great math and science programs that piqued their interest to the sports teams and clubs that enforced ideals of teamwork, understanding, support and community involvement.
Both girls did a deal of volunteer work throughout high school, Zupan gave a hand at sporting events by keeping score and working various breast cancer events with her field hockey team. Schmalz volunteers each summer at Madison County Children’s Camp through her church.
The girls said the biggest thing for fellow, younger students is to be determined to succeed.
“You need to believe in yourself and stay focused,” Zupan said. “If you stay on track you’ll be successful. Just don’t forget to have fun while doing it.”
“Stay focused, stay ded- icated,” Schmalz added. “Later on, that will open a lot of doors for you and present more choices.”