Graduation 2012: Co-Valedictorian Garrett Waligroski

High school was academically challenging at times for Garret Waligroski, who sometimes had to dedicate three hours daily to homework and studying just for U.S. History I and English II.

But those hours were well spent. The high school senior was announced as co-valedictorian earlier this month at the Academic Awards. He and each earned a grade point average of 4.835 over their high school careers — the highest in their graduating class.

Sharing the title of valedictorian is “a unique thing for the occasion,” Waligroski said. He and Granato are close friends.

“I believe that sharing the title is suitable because my co-valedictorian Alex and I have excelled academically throughout the years, side-by-side,” Waligroski said. “We’ve always had the same schedules and similar attitudes towards high school.”

For Waligroski’s speech during tonight’s graduation ceremony, he focused on the background of the class of 2012, what high school means to the students and how it is forever linked to their futures, he said.

Self-motivated, Waligroski was very involved in extracurricular activities including Interact, Chemistry Club, Student Government, the Math Team, Parent-Teacher-Student Association, Future Business Leaders of America, the Association Against Drugs and Alcohol, cross country and tennis.

“Overall, I’m really glad that I joined a lot of clubs and organizations because I learned that I cannot do everything,” he said.

He added that being involved was also a great way to socialize and take some stress away from the rigors of homework and studying.

“Throughout my four years at LTHS, each year only got better,” Waligroski said.

The highlight of his high school career was his presidency of the National Honor Society (NHS), he said.

“Being elected president was a very exciting moment for me,” he said. “I truly think that being president of NHS was a good fit for me because I value the four special qualities every NHS member is chosen upon: character, scholarship, leadership and service.”

With his favorite subjects being math, science and French, Waligroski offers credit to his teachers, even for his most rigorous honors courses such as U.S. History I and English II.

“My teachers for those two classes really pushed me, but in the end I learned a lot and felt better prepared for college,” he said.

Waligroski will be attending Villanova University in the fall and plans to major in chemistry.

“(Villanova) was always on my top three list throughout my senior year and the college application process,” he said. “I think that the campus is beautiful, but after spending an overnight visit there during Candidates Weekend I truly experienced Villanova and fell in love with it.”

The school offers a sense of community and school pride, Waligroski said.

Unsure of a career path, Waligroski said he needs to explore the subject more but with chemistry, career opportunities are endless. He mentioned the possibility of medical school, research or possibility pharmaceuticals.

“Whatever I end up doing I hope that I can make a positive difference in peoples’ lives and thanks to science and technology that has been made possible,” he said.

Waligroski’s goal in life is simple — to be happy, he said.

“I will measure my successes by my happiness because I hope to be doing something that I enjoy. My personal health and happiness, in the long run, are more important than money,” he said.

Throughout high school, Waligroski found a group of good friends who accepted him for who he is, which made him a “happy camper,” he said.

“I plan on making life-long friends in college that I can smile and laugh with,” he said.

Return to Lacey Patch throughout the day for a story on Salutatorian Kyle McGuire and more on high school graduation.