“Abigael O’Donnell
Valedictorian
Parents: Jarrett and Dawn O’Donnell
College or other plans: Swimming and studying Chemical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.
After college: Medical Research
What has been the hardest part of the last year of school and the most rewarding: The hardest part of this past year for me has been maintaining a connection with my classes and classmates while studying remotely. It’s definitely been a challenge, but it is so gratifying to see how the teachers and administrators have gone above and beyond to give our class back as much normalcy as they can.
What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic/how have you changed: I’ve always loved swimming, but I realized how important it was for my mental health when I was unable to train in the pool during the lockdown. The pandemic has put a lot of things in a new perspective for me and made me even more grateful for the time I am able to spend with my family and friends.
What is the memory of high school you will never forget/What will you miss most about high school: I will never forget the exuberance of getting to swim with my varsity teammates for my senior season. The thing I will miss most about high school is the sense of familiarity and the comfort that it brings.
What’s in your music player: My top genres on Spotify are pop and rock.
Favorite book or author: Jane Austen or Neil Gaiman
Best part about graduating: Moving on to the next chapter in my life.
Who or what inspires you: My family and friends.”
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Schenectady Gazette 24 June 2021.