Meet CHS 2013 Valedictorian: Jennifer Haley

Jennifer Haley will be recognized during graduation Saturday afternoon for being the valedictorian for Coventry High School's Class of 2013.

Apart from achieving outstanding grades and earning a place in the National Honor Society, Jennifer was a member of the Girls' Track and Cross Country teams all four years of high school and considers that to be her most cherished experience during her time at CHS.

"I love running and being part of a team was the best thing ever. My teammates were great and I made amazing friends." 

When asked if she ever had trouble juggling school work and her obligations to her teams, Jennifer admitted that there were rough times, but she always made it through them with the help of those around her.

"It was hard at times and I struggled," she said. "There were times where I just thought I couldn't go to practice anymore or couldn't run anymore, but I always got right back into it. My coaches were really supportive and never let me quit."

Jennifer didn't enter high school with the goal of ranking top in her class, but as she continued to excel, it eventually became a definite possibility. 

"It wasn't really a plan of mine to be valedictorian when I got into high school but I did try really hard while I was here. Once you start trying hard for something you just kind of keep going with it. I found out last year that I was at the top of my class, but not officially until a month ago," she said.

Of all the classes Jennifer took during her high school career, her favorite was likely a toss-up between Math (Calculus specifically), and English. But regardless of which classes she took, Coventry High School made a great and lasting impression on her.

"I just loved my time here. It's been amazing," she said. "I made great friends and the teachers are awesome and they all care so much."

After graduation, Jennifer plans on fulfilling her longtime dream of attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where she will major in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

"I've always wanted to be in the Coast Guard! I love boats and the ocean, I love nautical things, and as cliche' as it sounds, I love America, I really do. I've always wanted to serve my country and this seems like a really cool way to do that," she said. "I've also always wanted to travel but haven't had many opportunities, so this might give me the chance to go to different places."

In 10 years, Jennifer hopes to be an officer in the Coast Guard, but will let fate decide where she ends up.

"Hopefully I'll be working in Hawaii or Guam or Puerto Rico, or maybe someplace else," she said thoughtfully. "Somewhere nice and sunny. But even Alaska would be cool, too."

Her final "summer vacation" will be cut short when she leaves for a seven-week boot camp in New London, CT on July 1.

When asked what advice she would give another student looking to excel in school, Jennifer urged students to balance their high school experience by trying different things and finding a support network of friends. She also advised students to enjoy learning as much as possible and to not obsess over every less-than-perfect test score.

"I used to think that I had to get straight As in everything, but then I got to AP History and got a B+, or maybe it was even a B, God forbid, which is when I learned to take everything in stride," she explained. "Not getting an A on something won't kill you and you'll recover. You can't be perfect and you have to accept that you're not perfect."