Seneca High School valedictorian and salutatorian reflect on the past four years

Alexis Tierney and Kayla Pfeffer look back on their time at Seneca, and look forward to their future endeavours.

Seneca High School valedictorian Alexis Tierney and salutatorian Kayla Pfeffer reflected on their academic accomplishments and cherished memories as their high school careers come to a close.

The road to success varied slightly for the two. Tierney kept the mindset of consistently trying her best while achieving personal goals as far as academics, which led her to the achievement of being valedictorian.

Pfeffer entered high school determined to rank in the top of her class, and used the competitive nature of her classmates as motivation to excel and eventually secure the honor of salutatorian.

Pfeffer plans to have her graduation speech reflect on a crew neck sweatshirt she’s worn sporadically throughout the year, reading “everything is copacetic” along the front. She stated her classmates had taken interest in the meaning behind it.

“For me, it means everything is in its place. I’m a strong believer that everything is the way that it should be.” Pfeffer said. “You gotta go with the flow. I believe everything will always be in its place, you’ll always be where you’re supposed to be.”

Tierney hopes all her classmates can take something positive away from their experiences at Seneca High School as they embark on their individual journeys, and plans to make that a theme throughout her speech.

“I hope that, looking back, we can, one, all have positive memories of this place, and two, be proud that we’re all connected as Seneca grads,” Tierney said.

A positive memory she will carry with her is of her first musical during her sophomore year. She was taken by surprise after being cast as a lead role in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and unexpectedly discovered something she is passionate about.

Along with being a part of the school’s musicals, she is executive council member for student government, president of psychology club, a member of chambers concert choir, National Honor Society and National English Honor Society.

Pfeffer looked back on her time at Seneca and said, “I’m going to remember the friends that I have and the friends that helped me get through everything and the new connections I’ve made with people.”

She has connected with others through her involvement in extracurricular activities, including being treasurer of spanish club, president of environmental club, a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, winter and spring weight lifting, and nurses and allied professionals club.

Tierney will head to Bucknell University to major in biology, and ultimately plans to attend medical school to be an infectious disease doctor.

Pfeffer’s next stop is Florida State University, where she will major in actuarial science and minor in business.

The commencement ceremony for the Class of 2018 will be held at Seneca High School on June 21 at 6 p.m. where Tierney and Pfeffer will speak and be joined together as a class, one last time.