JTHS Valedictorian: 'I Like Being Involved'

Alexandra Kazimir has been very busy for the past four years. When discussing the activities of the valedictorian of the Jefferson Township Middle School class of 2011 it would probably be easier and shorter to list the activities she hasn’t taken part in—but it wouldn’t be as much fun. So here goes: indoor and outdoor track, prom committee, Red Cross, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Each One Reach One, Finding Inner Beauty, Peaceful Solutions, Science League and yearbook.

“I like being involved,” Kazimir said.

She has a variety of academic interests as well, ranging from science to English to art. While she will major in Biology at the University of Rochester in the fall, she has also enjoyed her classes in English and art.

“I love to write, and I’ve loved all the art classes I’ve been able to take,” she said.

Upon finding out that she was to be valedictorian, Kazimir said her first emotion was relief.

“I had found out at the end of last school year that I was first in the class,” she said. “I was happy and relieved that I was able to maintain it for this year.”

Kazimir said she is both excited and nervous about leaving for college later this summer.
“I’m definitely ready to move on, but I’m nervous about being on my own. I can’t just rush home if I need anything, because I’ll be six hours away,” she said.

Part of her reason behind choosing Rochester was the “climate and landscape in that part of New York.

“But it also offered a superior financial aid package, and a great way of selecting courses. You’re required to take classes within clusters, but you’re really open to choose the courses you like within those clusters, and that was interesting to me.”

Kazimir said she can’t wait to choose a path that interests her, and learning more about herself along the way.