Sachem North’s Meagan Loyst earned valedictorian honors. The Boston College-bound Loyst recently sat down with Sachem Report to talk about her experiences in the school district.
Sachem Report: “What does it mean for you to earn this honor?”
Meagan Loyst: “Honestly, it is still pretty crazy to me. When my guidance counselor told me that I was first in the class, I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face for the entire day. I’m really glad that all of the hard work I have been putting into my classes has paid off, and what better way to say thank you to all of the people who have helped me get here than to graduate at the top of my class!”
SR: “What was your biggest challenge in high school?”
ML: “Probably finding the time to do my homework on the weekends during the winter. My family drives up to Vermont almost every weekend from November through April, and spending the day training for ski competitions left me crunched for time. So writing essays during the nine hours we spent in the car was always a challenge.”
SR: “What are your career goals?”
ML: “If I had it my way, I would love to make a career out of wizardry and live at Hogwarts. However, since I possess no magical powers whatsoever, that is out of the question. I plan on concentrating in finance and obtaining a degree in business management, so I would really like to work at a financial firm in either Boston or New York City. I also want to travel in my career and be successful.”
SR: “What does it mean for you to have attended Sachem?”
ML: “Sachem has given me so many opportunities to grow and thrive as an individual, and I am grateful to have had the chance to spend 13 years in this district. The Sachem community is so great because of all the people who dedicate themselves to making the future a better place for us students.”
SR: “Why did you select the college you’re attending?”
ML: “I chose Boston College because of its prime location, its stellar business school, and the overall feeling I got when I arrived on campus for the first time. BC has such a great atmosphere that you can’t help but fall in love with the school, and I am very excited to start in the fall.”
SR: “Favorite moment in high school?”
ML: “Well, technically this wasn’t in high school, but it pertains to high school. When I was in seventh grade, I was asked to try out for the girls varsity soccer team at Sachem North. The moment when my coaches told me that I had made the team left me feeling ecstatic, like I was walking on air. I’ll never forget how happy I was that day.
SR: “Favorite teacher/class you’d like to highlight?”
ML: “In sixth grade, my teachers showed me how much I loved learning and coming to school, and my passion to learn has only grown since then. Two teachers who greatly impacted my life are Mrs. Schlitt and Mrs. Cangelosi. They are not only two of the best teachers that I have ever had, but also some of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing. They have always supported me and they inspire me to make a difference in the lives of others the way that they have made a difference in mine.”
SR: “Have you prepared your speech yet? Any teasers?”
ML: “I’ve been working on my speech, slowly but surely, and I think it’s close to being ready. My speech focuses mainly on the future, and I hope it will send a good message to my classmates. I will say that I included a quote from JK Rowling, and as you can tell, I am a fan of her work.”
–As told to Chris R. Vaccaro