Oceanside High School's valedictorian and salutatorian

Don’t ask Oceanside High School students Nicole Pinola or Brian Kelly, this year’s salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively, what they’re going to speak about on graduation day. It’s not that they don’t want to discuss their speeches — it’s just that such an important commencement address requires some thought. The themes, they said, simply aren‘t ready yet.

However, Pinola and Kelly hint that their speeches are sure to resonate and inspire as they bid farewell to their fellow students on June 27. “It’s still a work in progress,” Pinola said.

Having earned the distinction of representing the class of 2010, both articulated what the last four years of high school means to them — they have changed dramatically since they were freshman, they said, and have grown not just academically, but as people.

As students, they grew up, they acknowledge, during two wars, a presidential election and a devastating recession. Yet through it all, they said their classes, extracurricular activities and friends at Oceanside High have made for a well-rounded high-school experience that they will deeply miss. Yes, that includes the panini sandwiches in the cafeteria.

“It’s a humbling opportunity to represent your school,” Kelly said. “It’s very surreal because it’s more than a title — it represents the past four years and all of the effort you put in.”

Brian Kelly, Valedictorian

As Valedictorian, Brian Kelly doesn’t take the distinction lightly.

“It’s all of the hard work that I’ve done — not just the past four years but everything put together,” said Kelly, who will attend Columbia University as a Biophysics major. “It’s an honor to represent my school. [High school] has been an amazing experience. You really learn to understand the world around you and the community you’re living in.”

Earlier this year, Kelly, who is president of the Physics Club, won a coveted spot as a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search, widely considered the nation’s most esteemed science competition for high school students. For his research project, Kelly studied the application of curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, as an effective treatment for cancer.

“Science is still in its infancy,” he said. “We know so much and so little at the same time.”

His passion for science, he explained, comes from his grandfather, who was once a pre-med student. “He’s the one who inspired me in school,” he said. “And my parents have always been there for me. They were absolutely ecstatic when they heard the news. They’ve seen how hard I’ve worked over the years and they’re proud that I’m able to be recognized.”

Kelly, an AP scholar with distinction, said he became more and more involved as a student throughout his high school career, and he has was won a slew of awards for his work, including the school’s award for Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics as well as being named a National Merit semifinalist. He often spent entire summers in the lab, teachers said.

"Brian is the type of student every teacher hopes of teaching at least once in their career," said teacher Maureen Bodkin. "He is one of the most kind, generous, humble, and interesting people I have ever met in my life."

How has Kelly juggled all of his research with a full class schedule?

“It’s been difficult,” he said. “Obviously you want to balance a social life, and once you find that balance, it’s very rewarding.”

His high school career, he explained, hasn’t been totally insular. As a teenager growing up during a recession, Kelly is aware of the social and economic changes in the world.

“[The recession] effects everything,” he said. “It comes up enough — if it’s not you, it’s someone close to you that has been affected. But it has made us stronger people, able to be more active in the world.”

Kelly’s advice for freshman: “Definitely get involved. You have to find your niche and from there you can focus on that. There are so many different things to learn.”

Nicole Pinola, Salutatorian

“A lot of my friends don’t know how I do it,” Nicole Pinola said, as she explained how she juggles a full academic course load, sports (she runs track and reached the county championships twice) and extracurricular activities. “They’re definitely impressed.”

People should be impressed, her teachers said. Pinola, an amiable, outgoing teen, worked hard to earn the title of salutatorian.

"Nicole Pinola is as humble and gracious as she is intelligent," said Shari Spanier, her World Language teacher.

On the weekends, when she wasn’t studying, playing in the student band ensemble, mentoring freshman or tutoring math, Pinola, a high honors student, worked on the weekends at the Whistle Stop Bakery. Her experience there, she said, gave her a broader perspective and appreciation for life outside of school.

“We’ve grown up during the recession and it’s effected everyone economically,” she said. “It’s prepared me to be ready for college — and budget my money.”

Pinola, a winner of the National Spanish Exam (among many other awards) and member of the World Language Honor Society, said she’s learned to appreciate all the school had to offer over the years.

“I think I changed a lot,” she said. “I’ve become a lot more involved in school. It’s made me more involved in the

community.”

Pinola ran cross country, winter and spring track, and has won various medals and varsity letters for her achievements competing in hurdles and sprints. During the county championships, she ran the 100 meter hurdle in 17.9 seconds.

Through the Interact club, a community-service based organization, Pinola volunteered to help with the organization’s visits to nursing homes, food drives and many other activities. And whether it was her work during various school initiatives and fundraisers, volunteering at Elite Dance Centre or her involvement with Sport Night, Pinola said she’s proud of the experiences she’s had and the friends that she’s made. It is something she always encourages freshman to do.

“You should definitely get involved,” she said. “You want to make the most out of your high school experience and help as many people as you can.”

Her family, she said, has supported her every step of the way. Before she could drive, Pinola said, her mom would always be there for her during her busy schedule, whether it was to drive her to various activities or to turn to for advice.

“My family has really supported me,” Pinola said. “I have an older brother and he was always there to help me. I think they’re proud of me, and they were really happy when they heard the news.”

Pinola is heading to the University of Delaware as part of its honors program, where she will major in business.

Still, she said she will miss her friends and teachers who have made her years at Oceanside High special.

“[College] is definitely going to be a different experience,” she said. “I’m going to miss coming to school and seeing familiar faces.”