In early May, Pearl River High School Class of 2013 Valedictorian Annette Krysiewicz admitted public speaking is one thing that has not been part of her varied experience.
Krysiewicz will add that to her resume when she gives the Valedictorian's speech Thursday during the Pearl River High School Class of 2013 Commencement at the high school, which begins at 6 p.m..
The 18-year-old brings more than the 98.6 unweighted grade point average that earned her the top spot in this year's senior class. She has a varied background in and out of school, with the People to People Student Ambassador trips among her favorite activities. Those took her to England, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Australia and South Africa.
"Those were eye-opening," Krysiewicz said. "Poland, I was used to, but (on those trips), I was experiencing these completely new and different cultures."
Krysiewicz is no stranger to travel. Her parents, Jacek and Beata Krysiewicz, came to the United States from Poland about 20 years ago and the rest of the family is still there, so Annette has visited often. She also connected with the culture and language as a student at Nicholas Copernicus Saturday School until ninth grade.
"I think it's fun," Krysiewicz said. "It's a different cultural experience when I go there. Learning Polish and going to Polish school brought me closer to my family there."
Krysiewicz has a varied resume closer to home. She was a standout on the Pearl River volleyball team, earning all-league honors for three seasons and honorable mention All-County as a senior, when she had 110 kills, 30 aces and 50 blocks.
She was also a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor, earned an Advanced Regents Diploma. She played flute concet, marching and jazz band as well as the St. Margaret Church Youth Choir. She earned her Gold Award with Girl Scout Troop 40290for her work creating presentations and teaching students at the Nicholas Copernicus School.
She found out when third quarter grades came out that she would be able to add Valedictorian to her resume.
"It was exciting," Krysiewicz said. "I checked the online account and it gave me my ranking and GPA. I was like, oh, yay!. My parents are really happy, too."
She said they have been her biggest supporters, which probably extends to her plan to study Engineering in college.
"My dad is a civil engineer," Krysiewicz said. "It kind of runs in the family."
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