Versatile student commands the spotlight

Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools

CLAYTON — Clayton High senior Sarah Fuccello is comfortable being in the spotlight. She sings, acts and is president of the Interact Club, just to name a few of her activities.

She has performed in productions with Clayton High Performing Arts including “Into The Woods,” “Rumors,” “Chicago,” and, most recently, “Peter and The Starcatcher.” Fuccello was also named to the 2022 N.C. Honors Chorus. Out of approximately 800 students that auditioned, she was one of just 179 students that earned a spot. She recently performed with the other students from around the state in Winston-Salem.

She, as well as the other students from across the state, worked on and learned eight songs for the event. Then they all came together to work on them, and ultimately performed the songs at the end of the weekend. “It’s so strong when everyone sings together,” Fuccello said.

The thing Fuccello loves the most about the performing arts is watching the show or concert come together. She enjoys the process and the way everyone works so hard to make the magic happen. “It’s always a good experience,” she said.

She was also recently named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Fuccello is one of approximately 34,000 students who received letters of commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Commended Students are named based on a nationally applied selection index score, and some of these students do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

“I’m really honored and grateful,” she said.

The youngest of three girls, Fuccello is a Clayton native, and a thriving Johnston County Public Schools student. Being such a well-rounded student takes a lot of grit and determination, which she credits to her father’s Italian side of the family.

Her father, who has competed in several Ironman competitions, triathlons, and a 50-mile run, has provided a great model for Fuccello. “He has a lot of skills,” she said.

A jack of all trades, her dad has a degree in physical therapy, is a carpenter who built an entire second floor on their house, and a Realtor. “He has always inspired me to pursue my dreams and to never give up,” she said.

Fuccello’s paternal grandfather is another one of her inspirations. A history professor, he taught himself to speak Japanese by listening to records. She comes from a long line of relatives that are willing to do whatever it takes in life.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Fuccello is also a jack of all trades. In addition to academics, chorus and theater, she runs cross country and track and is president of the Interact Club, a kind of junior Rotary Club for young people between the ages of 14 and 18.

She is a member of YMCA Youth and Government, a nationwide civic program that prepares high school students for moral and political leadership. It is a student-led, mock state government.

Fuccello wrote a couple of bills, one that would require all schools to have one nurse per school. The bill made it through the mock House and Senate, but not through the Governor’s cabinet.

It seems like anything she can learn, she does just that. The thing that sets her apart is that Fuccello seems to master whatever she sets her mind to.

“I’ve always loved learning,” she said. “The more knowledge I gain now, the more successful I’ll be in the future, and the bigger impact I can have on the people around me.”

While a student at Riverwood Middle, Fuccello was part of the math club Math Counts. She and her teammates got to compete with other peers from different schools working to solve complex math concepts. Her team earned second place in the competition.

In the summer of 2021, she attended a life science camp at Virginia Tech, where she was able to learn about all the different sides of science.

Clearly a fan of math and science, chemistry is Fucello’s favorite subject because it takes math and applies it to real world settings. Fuccello said she really enjoys the experiment side of chemistry. “Chemistry shows us how we actually use those things in real life,” she said.

Her master plan is to attend college, either Virginia Tech, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and study biochemistry with the ultimate goal of going into medical research.

Her biggest motivation, and the thing that keeps Fuccello so positive, comes from thinking about her future. It drives her to do well now so that she can be successful. “When I think about going to college and being in a career that I love, that really excites me,” she said.

While in college, she definitely plans to join a chorus so she can continue singing, and welcomes the opportunity to perform in a college stage production if the opportunity presents itself.

When asked who her hero was, she replied, “There’s so many people I look up to.”

She decided to name all four of her grandparents, who loved her unconditionally. “They showed me how to love other people, how to respect others and how to live life to the fullest,” Fuccello said. “They had a passion for life.”

That passion has definitely rubbed off on her. It is clear why she is comfortable in the spotlight, and her light is destined to shine as she navigates her way through life.