Carey’s top two separated by .03

Sophia Kurdziel

Valedictorian

GPA: 102.30

AP Courses: 9

College: Columbia University

Major: Biomedical/chemical engineering

Nicholas Phair

Salutatorian

GPA: 102.27

AP Courses: 5

College: College of William and Mary

Major: Undecided

What is your best memory of senior year?

Kurdziel: My best memory involves the immense relief I felt when I finished all of my AP tests.

Phair: AP Government Washington D.C. trip

What career do you intend to pursue?

Kurdziel: I hope to become an engineer of some sort in the future.

Phair: Undecided

Who is your biggest role model?

Kurdziel: My parents are my biggest role models; they have always supported me and have provided me with wonderful advice.

Phair: My brother John

What are your extracurricular activities and clubs?

Kurdziel: I am a member of Mathletes, as well as the National, Math, Science, Art, English, Tri-M, Social Studies, and Foreign Language Honor Societies. I also am the art editor of Poseidon, a literary magazine, and a member of the varsity swim team.

Phair: National Honor Society (President), Mu Alpha Theta, Mathletes, Science Honor Society

What, in your opinion, is the key to success?

Kurdziel: I think resilience is the key to success. While it may sound cliché, you have to experience failure before you experience success. Those who are able to rise from disappointment through determination and ambition deserve the greatest degree of achievement.

Phair: Dedication and purpose.

What, in your opinion, is your biggest strength?

Kurdziel: I think my patience is my biggest strength. I am able to work continuously for long periods of time without getting frustrated.

Phair: I am hard working and enjoy learning.

What is the biggest challenge you had to deal with en route to such a distinctive honor?

Kurdziel: Probably my biggest challenge was to keep my grades high with a large course load and busy schedule.

Phair: Being sure to do all of the mundane, repetitive, day-to-day work that is assigned.

What was your reaction to finding out?

Kurdziel: I was excited; it felt like a great honor to achieve such a title.

Phair: I was overjoyed, and placing second just showed me that there was even more room for the kind of growth that defines learners.

What are your hobbies?