A Conversation with our Valedictorian and Salutatorian

This episode of Beyond the Bell features Mount Pisgah Christian School’s valedictorian and salutatorian as they reflect on their high school journey. From study habits and stress management to motivation and personal growth, this conversation explores what it really takes to reach the top, and what matters most along the way. Whether you’re aiming for academic excellence or simply looking to improve, this episode offers insight, honesty, and advice from two students who’ve lived it.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:10

You are listening to Beyond the Bell, a student-produced podcast from Mount Pisca Christian School. I'm Grayson Barrett, and this podcast is a space where students, teachers, and the whole community can connect. Here, we believe every person has a story to tell, and we want to bring those stories to life. Today's episode features two students who have reached one of the highest academic honors our school offers, our Valedictorian and Salutatorian. But this conversation isn't just about the GPA or class rank. It's about the journey, the pressure, the lessons learned, and the advice they have for the rest of us. I'm joined by Singhita Ponce and Ellie Plunkett. In this episode, we'll talk about what it took to get here, how this achievement has impacted them, and what they recommend to students who want to grow academically and personally. What did you sacrifice, if anything, to maintain your performance?

SPEAKER_02 1:09

Honestly, I really try not to sacrifice anything. When I think of sacrifices, I just think of choices instead. Don't really believe in sacrifices. So I just tried to fit it all in. Obviously, some weeks were crazier than others, but I didn't want to miss out on all the athletics and social opportunities that high school has to offer.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

Yeah, I think one of the biggest things throughout high school was learning what my priorities were and understanding what was most important to me, and that looks different for everyone. So for me, mine may have been academics some weeks or you know, wanting to maintain a good social life or athletics. But ultimately, I think that the biggest sacrifice would probably be sleep because I was staying up kind of late. Um, but again, I just think prioritizing um what's most important to you is the best way to minimize any regrets you might have. I know I can speak for myself that I don't really regret anything that I felt like I had to choose one thing over the other, and I think that's the biggest thing that you want to have at the end of high school.

SPEAKER_00 2:23

So now that we've talked about the pressure and growth that came with this achievement, let's shift gears to what advice they have for the rest of us. For students listening who may want to follow a similar path or just improve academically, what would you tell them?

SPEAKER_01 2:37

Um, I would say balance is key. Um there's never one thing that's more important than the other. Establishing relationships is just as important as academics, and you know, enjoying your social life is just as important as athletics, and you know, doing extracurriculars, all the things are all super important for you know growing and learning about yourself. Um, and I'll again go back to priorities. People just have different expectations and goals for high school, where people want to go to college, and it's important to not compare yourself with anyone else's journey because we all are on different paths.

SPEAKER_02 3:18

Oh, yeah, that's great. Um, yeah, I would just say to keep your goals in mind. If your goal later on is to become the valedorian or salutatorian, you just have to realize what it takes. So even when you don't want to study, you're gonna have to study sometimes. And when you don't want to wake up early, you're gonna have to wake up early sometimes. So just prioritize what's important to you to achieve your goals.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

What is one thing that each of you wish you had known as a freshman?

SPEAKER_02 3:49

One thing that I wish I had known is to choose elective classes because you're interested in them, um, not because you think um a college will like them or because it'll be an easy elective class. So if you're interested in going into business, take business classes. Maybe you think they'll be a little bit harder, but I found that I do better in the classes that I enjoy. So and don't take classes because your friends are in them because you can always make it a friends.

SPEAKER_01 4:19

I completely agree with that. I think it goes along with um being a freshman, you don't really know what you want to do in your future, or maybe you do, and being open to that changing. Um, I think another thing would be to try any and all extracurriculars that you might be interested in because being able to step your foot in the door may lead to some really great opportunities or even things that you wouldn't have thought you would have liked.

SPEAKER_00 4:52

Grades are important, but they don't tell the whole story. So let's get to know who they are beyond just the GPA. What are you passionate about outside of school?

SPEAKER_01 5:01

Um I love working with kids. I've worked at the ELC and also volunteered at North Point Community Church with the special needs group. It's something that I found I'm really passionate about. Um, also being exposed to medicine and different volunteer opportunities that I've had is you know helped me realize that I do want to pursue medicine in the future, and that's something I'm really thankful for to have realized in high school.

SPEAKER_02 5:28

I'm on the tennis team and the flag football team, and also like to run a lot when I'm at home. And outside of that, I do love to volunteer with National Charity League, and I'm on the junior leadership committee for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and that's a cause I'm very passionate about. Also, I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and that's given me a passion for um solving the affordable housing crisis.

SPEAKER_00 5:57

How do you both relax or recharge?

SPEAKER_02 6:02

Well, I love to watch TV, go walk my dog named Betsy. Um, I do love to bake and then just hang out with family and friends.

SPEAKER_01 6:11

Yes, for sure. I definitely need a reset sometime, so that involves cleaning my room on Sundays or watching TV or spending time with friends and family and taking my mind off of school or anything else that might be stressing me out.

SPEAKER_00 6:26

What's something people would be surprised to learn about each of you?

SPEAKER_01 6:30

Um, surprisingly, this semester, my senioritis has been hitting me hard really bad. Um I've honestly taken the time the opportunity to enjoy relaxing um and not having to put unnecessary stress on myself. Um, but yeah, my senioritis is really bad.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

So this is a little bit of a fun fact, but I'm almost positive that I live the closest to school out of anybody. I'm sure you do. It's about a two-minute drive every morning to school.

SPEAKER_00 7:10

Well, that's so good. Yeah. Where are both of you headed after graduation, and what are you most excited about?

SPEAKER_02 7:16

I'll be heading to the University of Georgia and majoring in finance. I'm super excited to meet so many new friends there, and also to go watch UGA dominate in football every Saturday.

SPEAKER_01 7:30

I love it. Um, I will be attending Georgia Tech in the fall, studying biomedical engineering on the pre-med track. I'm really excited to continue my education towards something that I'm really passionate about. I'm so excited to meet new people and um also watch Georgia Tech. Like football and dominate. Let's hope.

SPEAKER_00 8:02

And that's a wrap on today's episode of Beyond the Bell. Huge thank you to our Valedatorian and Salutatorian for being open about their journey and sharing advice with the rest of us. Today's conversation reminds us that success isn't just about numbers. It's about discipline, growth, and staying true to your goals. Thanks so much for listening. Be sure to follow us on Spotify Podcasts, and if you have an idea for a future episode, send us a message on Instagram at MPCS LibertyVale. We'll see you next time.