Scholars Bid Fond Farewell to Lampeter-Strasburg
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| From left: Third in Class Kelsey McNaul, Valedictorian Ethan Emmert, Salutatorian Marah Brubaker Photo courtesy of Anne Harnish |
Ethan Emmert, Marah Brubaker, and Kelsey McNaul finished
first, second, and third respectively in the Class of 2015. Although all
acknowledge the gravity of their achievement, all appreciate that other
accomplishments transcend the impact of what Brubaker summarizes as “all that I
have worked for (academically) during high school ... trimmed down into a single
number,” a concept she called “quite strange”.
“While it is certainly a pleasure and an honor to be
recognized as number two, it has never been about a ranking for me,” she says. “I
have definitely seen students pursue only recognition and prestige, but that
was never my motivation. To me, salutatorian is merely a side effect of the
long hours and hard work. I loved learning and challenging myself during high
school, and getting recognition is just a fortunate consequence.”
Emmert concurs, commenting, “It’s really an honor to be able
to have my high rank to show for all my hard work.”
McNaul says, “I know there are so many more important things
than class rank, but I am really proud to be finishing third in the class. It
shows how much of my hard work has paid off.”
Each of the three was heavily involved in clubs and
extracurricular activities, and listed those experiences as among their fondest
high school memories.
“Extracurriculars were really an amazing part of my
experience,” says Emmert. “It was so rewarding to be able to challenge myself
in clubs like Quiz Bowl and Model UN with other students.”
McNaul also cites the social aspect of clubs as a positive
experience of high school.
“I met so many friends and was able to accomplish so many
wonderful things throughout the clubs at our high school,” she says.
Brubaker, a self-professed nerd, actually finds her fondest
memories in the classroom.
“I loved arguing back points from teachers and crafting
writings … and finding rotifiers under the microscope in AP Bio,” she says. “High
school was great because it exposed me to so many topics, and I realized that I
loved them all, which has since led to an extreme inability to choose a major.”
Long hours spent studying for AP exams as well as required
classes laden with busy work ranked among the trio’s least fond memories.
Each realized that they will leave a legacy at
Lampeter-Strasburg.
Emmert hopes his legacy varies by group. “I don’t know if I
want to leave one schoolwide legacy. I’d rather be remembered by different
things,” he says. “By my teachers for my work ethic, and by my friends for my
sense of humor, and by the clubs I was in for my devotion.”
Brubaker acknowledges her desired legacy is somewhat “cheesy”.
Nevertheless, she says, “I would want to leave a legacy as a student who truly
loved learning. A student who drowned herself in AP classes because she sought
a challenge. I want to be remembered as a student who never gave up integrity
for recognition and always stayed true to who she was.”
McNaul hopes her legacy transcends a personal reputation,
and extends to a school-wide culture: “The legacy I hope to leave at L-S is one
of kindness and acceptance. I hope that as years continue at L-S, all students,
regardless of their beliefs, lifestyle, race, and sexuality feel welcome and
accepted for who they are at our school.”
Each also has advice for students whose educational journey at
L-S has not yet reached is culmination.
Simple and direct, Emmert advises students to “just try to
make the most out of every day you have in high school.”
Brubaker was admittedly slightly more verbose. She says, “My
advice would probably be that it’s not all about the ranking. High school
shapes who you are and gives you an opportunity to explore who you want to be.
Take the classes you want to take, not the ones that will inflate your GPA. Don’t
get caught up in thinking that it’s all about a number. You are so much more than
a digit on a page, and colleges will see that. I promise.”
McNaul’s advice is certainly congruous. “Take advantage of
the work study opportunity,” she urges. “Put yourself out there and explore a
career field. For me, it was the most rewarding experience.”
Emmert plans to continue his studies at Haverford College,
Brubaker at Amherst College, and McNaul at Washington College in Maryland.
See additional LSNews.org graduation coverage here.
See additional LSNews.org graduation coverage here.
