Schools

Meet Lakeland High School's Valedictorian Rebecca Amorese

Rebecca Amorese, of Mohegan Lake, will graduate from Lakeland High School on Saturday with the special distinction of achieving top academic rankings in her class. She has been named valedictorian.

The 17-year-old will be attending The University of Rochester where she will be a pre-medical student and will be majoring in biomedical engineering. Not only has she earned top grades, Rebecca has been an active member of the school.

She is captain of the tennis team and webmaster for the Drama Club. She is also the recipient of the National Choral Award, the Outstanding Senior award, Parents for Lakeland Service award, and Parents for Lakeland Leadership award.

Rebecca holds the Gold Award, Silver Award, and Bronze Award as a Girl Scout. She also volunteers with the Midnight Runs and Bible Camps. She came in third place at Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) and second place at Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF).

Patch interviewed the student to get her take on her high school experience and plans for the future.


Patch: Did you imagine you'd be named top student – was this your goal?

Rebecca AmoreseIt was always, and still is my goal to work hard and be the best I could be. My cousin was valedictorian eight years ago and when I saw him give a speech at graduation it became something I wanted to do too. I never imagined it would ever happen though, so it was an extremely wonderful surprise.

Patch:
 Was there a particular class or academic experience that changed you?

Amorese: Taking AP Biology last year definitely changed me. It was the first time I had taken a class and when I became passionate about the subject matter. We did a lot of dissections that I found really awesome. It also taught me how to study for a college course. These skills, as well as the information I learned in the class, will be something I take with me to college.  

Patch: In your opinion, is there anything you'd like to see the school district do differently?

Amorese: I was a member of the science research program for four years. I would like to see more attention given to this program also they should not offer chorus and AP Calculus at the same time. I was a part of the LHS chorus for my first three years in high school and I wanted to be a part of it this year but I could not because I wanted to take AP Calculus.

Patch:
 What's your dream job of the future?

Amorese: I’d love to work as a doctor or possibly even a surgeon, in a hospital, saving lives every day.

Patch: What was your experience at Lakeland High School like?

AmoreseOverall it was a very memorable experience. I was a captain of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team and Webmaster for my Drama Blub, and will carry unique and distinct memories from each for the rest of my life. I made friends who I plan to keep in touch with and there have been numerous teachers along the way the helped me on my journey. The workload may have been massive at times but overall it was a place I enjoyed going to every day.

Patch:
 What will you miss when you graduate high school?

AmoreseI will miss my fellow classmates and teachers. They have all had such an impact on my life and I’m going to miss seeing them all every day. My teachers have not only taught me information but valuable skills and life lessons that I will never forget.

Patch:
 Please share a funny or embarrassing story about your high school experience?

Amorese: In AP Biology my lab partner and I dissected a fetal pig only to find it didn’t have any kidneys.

Patch: What advice will you give SHS juniors?

AmoreseWork hard, get involved, but have fun too. Between APs, and ACTs, and SATs, and IRPs, and all the other acronyms, it can get stressful at time. It’s important to remember you are working towards a wonderful goal and a lot of people are around you are in the same boat. Try and balance your schedule and plan ahead as much as possible. 

Patch:
 What are some objectives of your speech? What message do you hope to send at graduation?

AmoreseInitially to reflect on the success, memories, and tragedies, we’ve been a part of during our time at Lakeland but also to realize that the key to our success as well as withstanding tragedy is collaboration and friendship. Also I hope to send the message that while we leave Lakeland behind we are going out into the world to become the future, and to make ever better tomorrows. 

Patch:
 Four fun, quick questions. Ready? What's on your iPod, what's your favorite late-night snack, your favorite book and what comfort item will you bring from home to college?

Amorese: Andrew McMahon, Go Radio, Mumford and Sons, and Hank Green. Favorite late-night snack – pretzel gold fish. Favorite book – All the Harry Potter Books and The Fault in Our Stars. Comfort item – my Harry Potter box set, I’ve grown up with those books and they’ve been a part of my life since 4th grade, it's only fitting they find their way to college with me.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here