Valedictorian: Ashna Joseph
This year’s Hicksville High School Class of 2014 valedictorian is Ashna Joseph, coming out at the top of her class with a GPA of 102.82.
“I was really shocked when I first heard. I thought I’d be somewhere in the top 10 but I didn’t know I’d be valedictorian,” says Joseph. “Everyone in my class is really smart and they help each other. I didn’t
see it coming but it was a great honor to get this title.”
And it’s a title she says she’s sharing with the people who have supported her through the good times and the bad.
“Even when something wasn’t working out, my parents were always there for me and supported me. They motivated me to do my best,” Joseph says. “They have always been there for me and not only supported me when I succeeded, but when I don’t.”
This fall, Joseph heads off to Hofstra University to study biology, with a minor in psychology. She says a combined interest in science and community service encouraged her to go into the field. She also has an uncle who suffers from MS, and says “seeing him inspired me to help other people who have similar illnesses.”
Throughout high school, she’s been involved in numerous honor societies and was also a Student Government representative. She was also a member of the Science Olympiad and bowling team. As a kid she attended East Street School and then the middle school, and she says that going through the district has helped shape her.
“The people of Hicksville, the teachers, students, everyone together has made me the person I am,” says Joseph. “A particular advantage Hicksville students have is the diversity. Our world is only becoming more diverse. Being able to have that ability to get to know different kinds of people and working with them on a daily basis will only help later at work and in life.”
As she looks back on her high school career, she says that it was her senior year that will be the most memorable.
“My favorite memories are all from this year. The rest of high school was great, but this year everything came together and all my friends became closer than ever,” says Joseph. “My favorite memory as a whole would be Calculus AP. We were all going through the same thing and it brought us all together. I had so many fun times in that class.”
