As the school year comes to a close and report cards get mailed home, a few seniors every year are honored with the valedictorian and salutatorian positions. This year, Seneca students Shannen Preble, Colin Boisvert and James Pronchik have reached those achievements.
All three of these students will graduate with a 6.0 grade point average. But, since there can be only one valedictorian, Preble, the decision comes down to how many honors and Advanced Placement classes they’ve taken. The two salutatorians, Boisvert and Pronchik, are tied for the second-highest positions in the class.
They recently sat down with The Sun to talk about what makes them work so hard, their inspirations and plans for the future.
The Sun: First, what college are you attending, and have you decided on a major?
Preble: Worchester Polytechnic Institute. I’m going to major in some form of engineering, probably double major in either chemistry or physics.
Boisvert: I’m going to Northeastern University to study engineering, which I’m really excited about.
Pronchik: Bucknell University. I’m going undecided right now. I’ve switched around so much. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the classics and ancient history. So I might lean more toward that in college.
The Sun: What are some interesting AP or honors classes you’ve taken this year?
Preble: I’ve taken all of the AP and honors science classes they offer at Seneca. This year I’ve taken AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Literature & Composition and AP Economics.
Boisvert: I’m taking AP Chemistry, AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, AP Literature & Composition and my last class was honors history.
Pronchik: This year I’m taking AP Latin, Physics C, AP Statistics, an engineering course and English.
The Sun: What actives do you do outside of the classroom?
Preble: Throughout all four years, I’ve been part of robotics and marching band. Sophomore year, I joined the Math Club, where you go to different schools and compete with them. I also did STEM Club, which in January we go to a science olympiad at Burlington County College.
Boisvert: This year I actually did both the fall drama and the spring musical for the first time. It’s been a huge motivator and a huge confidence booster for me. I’ve been outgoing, but I’ve been more outgoing and more comfortable with who I am because of those shows.
Pronchik: I played football all four years, which is like a full-year commitment. Other than that, I’ve been in Latin Club and Russian Club, which is a weird little club, but it’s a fun time.
The Sun: Where did your strong work ethic come from?
Preble: I always just like knowing things, especially in class. I like being able to understand the world around me. When I was younger, I took things apart just to see how they actually worked.
Boisvert: I can’t really tell you. It’s partially being brought up in a place where my parents gave me a lot of opportunities to succeed. They’ve always pushed me to become a better person and to learn different things, especially early on. But since I’ve been in high school, it’s been more of a personal drive.
Pronchik: My parents are a part of it, but I just genuinely enjoy school. I like learning and going to class.
The Sun: What’s your favorite subject?
Preble: My favorite subject has always been math, especially calculus. I took that last year and that was one of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken. I’ve always found it to be an easy subject that I was able to understand, but no matter how far you get into math you can still learn new stuff and apply it to different things.
Boisvert: I’d say computer science is my favorite. There are so many different things you can do with it.
Pronchik: I would say Latin. I’ve taken it for four years, I’m in AP this year. Before high school, I knew nothing about it. Ancient history, and stuff like that, for some reason, really interests me. It’s like you’re learning about the roots of modern society.
The Sun: Who are your inspirations?
Preble: Walt Disney. I loved pretty much everything with Disney. When we had to do projects on people, I almost always chose him. I think it’s so inspiring how he took something that he loved and turned it into a career and into a whole environment.
My sister has also been inspirational to me. She taught me a lot when I was younger of things I value now.
Boisvert: My family and my friends. They push me to be the person that I am and to follow my interests. Someone like my mom – who used to be a chemical engineer, but wanted to be a teacher for a long time – went back for her master’s degree to become a teacher a couple years ago. It inspired me to follow my passions.
Pronchik: Definitely my parents. They’ve worked crazy hard to get where they’re at. They’re strong people, and I want to make them proud.
The Sun: What are your interests outside of school?
Preble: I like to read a lot, I’ve always enjoyed reading. I think it’s a great hobby to have. I really like classic literature, my favorite book is “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo. I read that between sixth and seventh grade, and that sort of started my love of classic literature.
Boisvert: I teach karate at Amerikick Medford. It’s so different from everything else I’ve been studying in school, but that experience of teaching is just another worldly experience.
Pronchik: When I’m at home, if I’m not with my friends playing basketball, I’ll listen to music or play video games. Just normal teenager stuff.
The Sun: What is your goal after high school?
Preble: After college, I want to do scientific research. But my biggest career goal would be to work as an imagineer for Disney, which are engineers who create the theme park rides.
Boisvert: I’m not positive about that yet. I’m really excited about studying engineering, but other than me knowing that I really like computers, I’m thinking of going into computer engineering. But I’m using that first year as a baseline to figure out more about what I really enjoy. Whatever job I do decide to do, I want to be passionate about it and I want to make sure it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Pronchik: I’m not sure (cracking a smile). I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you. I’m hoping I’ll find my way.
The Sun: Any advice for students?
Preble: I think people should push themselves to do the best they can in anything, whether it be in school or in activities. Especially with classes, people won’t take higher-level classes because they want the good grades. Grades really aren’t that important. It’s more important that you actually learn something from school.
Boisvert: To anyone in high school; it’s important for you to take every opportunity that you can. If you think you’re passionate about something and you’re interested in pursuing something that’s not in your wheelhouse, you should go for it anyway. Now is the time to find out what you really want to do.
Pronchik: You’re going to grow a lot and you’re going to go through a lot, but if you can find a way to keep your attitude as positive as it can be at the time, then you can make those years some of the best four years of your life.
