Class of 2011: Valedictorian Hayley White

This Saturday, Hayley White, daughter of Bruce and Ginny White of Arnold, will be giving the performance of her life as Valedictorian of Broadneck High School’s Class of 2011. And that is saying a lot.

White is used to the pressure of performing. For years, she has starred in productions with the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. Her charisma on stage and her musical talent have landed her roles such as Marian the Librarian in "The Music Man" and as evil Queen Aggravain in this year’s "Once Upon a Mattress."

She has also played the lead roles in the high school musical productions of last year’s "Fame" and this year’s "West Side Story," playing the volatile character Anita. Her songs in that show including “America” and “A Boy Like That” brought down the house.

White’s talents were recognized recently by the Scholarships for Scholars program as she was named the winner of the Theater Arts/Musical Theater/Dance Scholarship.

The amazing thing about White is that while she has done all of that performing, she has also maintained stellar status in academics. She was recently recognized for her achievements in the field of science, winning the faculty’s “Life Science Award” as well as winning the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award for being a “distinguished scholar, an exemplary citizen and a role model for younger students.”

White is taking all of that talent and heading to the University of Pittsburgh this fall to major in some sort of science field. She is particularly interested in the brain, so neurology is a top choice.

“I envision myself doing something with research,” said White, “but I also want to keep up with musical theater in some way. Maybe a double major.”

Though White is ready to enjoy the new phase of her life and the challenges ahead, she is also fondly looking back on her years at Broadneck High.

“One of the best memories I have is directing the school’s Broadway Review show and the curtain falling after the last number,” said White. “It was such an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and joy.”

“But I am ready to move on,” she continued. “I have attended school with the same students all of my life. I am anxious to meet and learn from new people.”