ALYSSA HUDSON: TRADITIONAL SALUTATORIAN

GPA: 7.58

When did you realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react?

During the fist semester of my freshman year, I found out I was 4th in the class. After finding that ou, I created the goal to stay in the top 10 rank for my class throughout high school. During my end of junior, start of senior year, I found out I was in 3rd place for rank. I knew I had to do whatever it took to get that 2nd spot because I would have been so disappointed if I hadn’t after being so close to it. My fist semester of senior year, I took 13 classes and needless to say, it was worth all the work that I put in that semester and the past three years in high school.

What’s something you wish you knew about high school before entering 9th grade

One thing I wish I knew before entering 9th grade was to come in really openminded with everything that gets thrown at you. As the four years goes by, you may end up taking classes you never knew you would like and then discover something you do. Keeping an opened mind and taking as many opportunities as you can.

What is your favorite high school memory?

My favorite high school memory is one from this past year and that was our ASL Showcase. Every year we have an ASL showcase to present all of the songs each of the levels have worked on as well as solos and small groups that students have created to friends and family. It is a really special event that we get to put on each year and extra special for seniors since it is our last big event all together. Towards the end of the showcase, we have our ASL Honors Society inductions which we receive any awards earned. I received my seal of biliteracy for studying ASL for four years and the Laurent Clerc medal. We end the night by signing a senior song as well.

What is the most important lesson you learned (from a teacher or another student) while in high school?

One important lesson that I have learned while in high school was to take several electives that you may find ineresting. That way, it helps to give you an idea of what you are actually interested in and you may discover something you really enjoy that you would not have known before taking that class. It especially can help during your junior or senior year when you are deciding on college and what you would like to study after high school.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in and why?

There are a couple big clubs that I have been very active in during high school. The fist was American Sign Language Honors Society and I have been a part of the organization since 10th grade and during my senior year got the opportunity to be the secretary on the leadership board. I would have never realized ASL would have been something I am so passionate about until I had taken the fist two years. The second club was National Honors Society which I have been a part of since 11th grade. During my senior year, I got to hold an executive board position as the Community Service Coordinator. I got the chance to connect with local organizations around the Tampa Bay area to gain volunteer opportunities for our NHS chapter and to give back to the community.

What are your college plans and future career goals?

After high school, I plan to either go to the University of Central Florida or the University of South Florida where I will obtain a bachelors in education to become an ASL teacher.

What advice would you give students who want to be valedictorian or salutatorian?

While taking challenging or dual enrolled classes in high school are amazing, make sure that you save a class or two in your schedule to be a fun elective that you enjoy or are interested in. Even while it may not always seem like it, having a fun class that you actually look forward to can help reduce the stress that other classes may be causing. four years goes by fast, so make sure you are making it an enjoyable one as well with some classes you enjoy.