For 2026 seniors Sophia Schulz, Milo Nothnagle, and Conor O’Brien, the end of the academic year looks a little different than usual. The title Valedictorian has been awarded to the highest academic achieving high school students for centuries, with the title of Salutatorian awarded to the second highest achieving student. This year, Schulz and Nothnagle tied academically with the highest GPAs of their class, resulting in a shared first place.
These students’ achievements go further than academics, with all three balancing academics and extracurriculars. Reflecting on his high school experiences, O’Brien said, “my experiences in music and sports have really shaped me throughout high school. Being a part of many bands and choirs taught me the importance of practice and teamwork. Tennis taught me about discipline and dedication. I also got to be a leader in these endeavors, like drum major and captain which definitely helped develop my proficiency as a leader”. Finding activities to participate in can be confusing for lots of students, but O’Brien also noted that when considering extracurriculars, “you’ll be much more driven to improve at something you love doing”. His advice, applicable to academics and beyond, is invaluable for students who want to both reach their full potential and enjoy their high school experience. As for Nothnagle, some of the most impactful moments in high school were simply “spending time with family and friends” and “taking cool classes like Engineering”. Both students emphasized the importance of following their passions and having fun, proving that being a successful student doesn’t have to mean ignoring other aspects of life.
When asked about challenges he encountered during school, Nothnagle pointed out that, “finding a balance between school, social life, sports, work and extracurricular activities was the hardest thing, but once you figure out a rhythm and find what works for you I think that it’s super doable”. In the face of rigorous academic work and a busy schedule, Nothnagle set his own pace, enjoying the journey of high school rather than fixating on the future. Similarly, Schulz noted that if she could redo high school, “I would make more of an effort to expand my sense of self and social life beyond mainly just academics”, especially during the beginning years of her high school career. Schulz also encouraged students to “find some kind of creative or artistic outlet”, in spite of self doubt. Although these seniors all faced different obstacles and made their own discoveries throughout school, many core takeaways were shared. Just a few of those common messages include the importance of having fun, finding an academic/social life balance, and working hard at what you love.
While graduation is a time for nostalgia and reflection, these seniors all have bright futures ahead. O’Brien, committed to Brown University, plans to major in Applied Mathematics. Schulz has committed to University of California Los Angeles for Psychobiology. Nothnagle is committed to California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
Graduation is scheduled for May 29, and both the Valedictorians and the Salutatorian are expected to give a commencement speech on behalf of their class.
