Interview with the 2011 Heights High Number One Student

Cleveland Heights High School notified Hailey Nowacek in the fall that she had the highest GPA out of about 420 seniors, and had the potential of becoming
Heights High's Number One Student.
The title is what the high school calls its valedictorian, and the pressure was on for 18-year-old Hailey to keep her grades up and stay focused during that very
busy and distracting final year of high school.
Cleveland Heights Patch interviewed Hailey Monday, just hours before commencement, about her success, which she never really took credit for. Here are
excerpts from the conversation:

Cleveland Heights Patch: When did you find out that you were Heights High's Number One Student? How did you feel?

Hailey Nowacek: I had no idea until the fall. I went into the office, and they told me because they wanted me to know so that I would have motivation to keep my grades up. At the end of the first semester they told me again that I was first. I didn't think I was at all, but it was cool to find out. They showed me my transcript, and it gives you your class rank.

CHP: What's your GPA?

HN: Last semester it was a 4.5 or 4.6, I'm not sure the exact number.

CHP: Wow, nearly a 4.6. How do you account for such a high GPA? Did you take AP and honors courses?

HN: Last year I took AP Music Theory, AP English, Language and Composition and AP French. This year I took AP Biology, AP English, Literature and Composition, AP Psychology and AP Government. I think that's all.

CHP: Did you get straight A's?

HN: I had all straight A’s, but last semester I had one B, and I’m not sure about this semester.

CHP: What do you attribute your success to, and doing so well in school?

HN: Probably (because I received) a lot of help from my parents. And I have supportive friends, too, who are on top of things and take heavy course loads. We’re good about getting things done. And just hard work, too.

CHP: Are you giving a class speech?

HN: I'm going to be honored tonight. You had to submit a speech at the the beginning of the semester, and I didn’t know if I wanted to do one. I don’t like public speaking that much.

CHP: Are you excited for tonight? (Commencement.)

HN: Graduation hasn’t really hit yet, but I’m just really grateful for my friends and my family. I really couldn’t have gotten through this year without any of them. There’s all this AP work and all these random senior things that you have to do, and a lot of stress going on with college applications.

CHP: Where are you going to school next year, and what are you studying?

HN: Brigham Young University. I’m probably going to double major in music education and history education. I want to be some kind of a teacher. I’m still kind of undecided. I might teach high school music and be a symphonic director or band director, but I’d really like to be an elementary teacher because I really like kids.

CHP: Are you involved in extracurricular activities?

HN: I am highly involved in the instrumental music department. I play the flute. I was the principal flute this year. I've played since the end of third grade.

It’s helped me with balancing my schedule. Even with rehearsals, I want to be on time for everything, and I want to be prepared. And that’s just helped with everything else that I do. I was also the drum major in the school marching band. That was probably a big part of what changed this year. I was a different person than I was the other years. I was much more of a leader and more open to everyone. Up until this year, I didn’t like to talk to people I didn’t know, and having to be drum major I had to know everyone in the band. I got to know everyone on a personal level.

CHP: What advice would you give to underclassmen?

HN: I would say don’t take classes you aren’t going to enjoy, and make sure you actually just turn in everything on time, because even if it’s not done all the way, it’s better than not getting points for it. And show up for every class. No skipping class.

CHP: What advice would you give to students about getting the most out of their high school experience?

HN: You want to find a really solid group of friends who encourage you to do the best you can. You can have friends who you have parties with and do things you shouldn’t do, but they’re not really good friends if they’re not helping you become a better person and getting where you want to be in your life. You want to find a support group who can be there for you and be like family, too.

The group of friends I have, I’m really just so grateful I have them. They’re all very kind. They’re not just smart when it comes to school ... They don’t drink, they don’t smoke, they don’t lie to their parents. We all try to be good people. If we see someone being mistreated, we stand up for them and we defend them.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that there were 372 students in the class of 2011. An official from the CHUH City School District called back to confirm that number they provided before is inaccurate, and it is closer to 420.