By Sydney Murray
“When Sr. Nancy said she was going to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian, my heart started pounding. I was hoping so badly that she would say my name, and I was so, so excited when she did! It is such a great honor to receive this,” says Adrienne Bussard, the class of 2010’s Valedictorian. Adrienne, along with Elainie “Lainie” Simpson, the Salutatorian, have the honor of being the top two students of the class of 2010.
“I knew I was in the running because I received the Top Scholar Athlete award last year, but I really didn't know,” says Adrienne. “My parents were very excited and proud of me. My aunts, uncles, and cousins have dropped off Graeter’s for me and sent me congratulations cards and texts. My one aunt actually cried when I told her the news.”
Lots of hard work, and a little help from friends and loved ones, helped Adrienne on her path to success. “I guess a lot of studying got me to be the Valedictorian. My little brother will say that I'm so smart and I always answer that I just study a lot. My parents have helped me as they taught me good study skills and the importance of reading. My teachers have helped me so much, too.”
As far as her plans for after Mercy, Adrienne’s not sure yet. “I have no idea where I'm going to college. The University of South Carolina is up there on my list, but I have not heard back from eight of the twelve schools I applied to. I want to major in biology or chemistry as a premed student, and minor in Spanish.”
Lainie also has the same problem with deciding where to attend college. “Unfortunately, I do not know where I'm going to college yet, because many of the ones that I applied to haven't responded yet. I won't know until April. However, I know that I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering and I am almost positively minoring in Studio Art. My top three choices are Vanderbilt, OSU, and University of South Carolina.”
Lainie was also thrilled to hear her named called by Sister Nancy. “When I first found out I was Salutatorian I was immediately very happy and also relieved. I felt like there was a lot less pressure since it was decided. I was also relieved because Adrienne has to make the big speech because I was really hoping that wouldn't be me. I don't know that I was expecting it, but I was definitely hoping for it. As soon as Sr. Nancy said that she was going to announce who valedictorian and salutatorian were, all of my friends sitting around me looked at me, so I was really hoping I would get it then, because there was a lot more pressure.”
“Everyone in my life has been a big support to me as far as school goes, but I think my mom was the biggest help. She always pushes me hard so that I do my best. Grades come naturally to me, definitely, but also I like to challenge myself and I have definitely done that over the past four years. I believe this is a big part of why I earned this rank.”
“When I first told my dad, he was really excited. My mom was too, but the first thing she said to me was ‘Now you're just like me’ because she was Salutatorian in 1980, as well.” Lainie’s aunt was also Valedictorian in 1979.
The brains so to succeed also seem to run in Adrienne’s family. “My cousin was Salutatorian of Seton a few years ago. At St. X they do not have a valedictorian or salutatorian but instead put students into percentiles, and my brother was in the top 2% of his class.”
For those underclassman who dream of becoming valedictorian and salutatorian, Adrienne and Lainie both have some advice. “Study and pay attention in class,” says Adrienne. “Have a positive attitude about school. Sometimes homework is overwhelming and stuff, but concentrating on the good aspects will help you more than complaining.”
“Get involved and manage your time,” says Lainie. “I feel that being involved in sports and clubs at mercy helps me to do well in school. It forces me to manage my time and I have never been tempted to make destructive decisions that could possibly hurt my grades because I never have the time!”
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