PHOENIX – Alexa Uttamsingh and Brian Breen are humbled to represent the John C. Birdlebough High School Class of 2017 as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
While natural academic, musical and social talents helped carry the pair to the top of their class, both Uttamsingh and Breen said it really was all about hard work and dedication.
“I’ve never really liked the word ‘prodigy,’” Breen said. “Words like that skip the whole portion of work that you do.”
Effort, added study sessions and a continued drive pushed Uttamsingh and Breen to success.
Uttamsingh has followed in the footsteps of her sister, Olivia, who was JCB’s Class of 2015 valedictorian.
Much like her sister, Alexa found a balance of her school work and extra work required to be named #1 in her class.
The Class of 2017 valedictorian will attend the University of Rochester where she will study international relations before going to law school.
She reflected back on her time in the Phoenix Central School District and noted she was captivated by any class taught by social studies teacher Joan Martin.
She also thanked JCB secretary Michelle Rudy for always being there for her inside and outside of school.
Uttamsingh encouraged JCB underclassmen not to get worked up or stressed about being valedictorian or salutatorian.
She remained focused, studied hard, took small breaks to go to the gym, visited friends, was a lifeguard in summer months, participated in several extracurricular activities and managed to receive a weighted grade point average of 104.36.
Breen said his weighted grade point average of 104.04 was earned by studying when he had any free time.
He is most proud that he received a 100 on his trigonometry Regents exam and his attendance to Conference All-State during his junior and senior year, where he played percussion both times.
He has participated in marching band, jazz band, winter drumline, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Drama Club, among other extracurricular activities.
He offered the following advice to underclassmen: “Finish all of your work, even if it’s a lot.”
Through hard work, he said, students may also find academic areas they unexpectedly excel in, as was the case when he attended Lisa Spereno’s English classes and discovered he enjoyed reading and writing.
Breen will attend Ithaca College for music performance and music education.
He plans on being a music teacher.
He thanked his mother for her unwavering support and said without her assistance and guidance he wouldn’t be where he is today.
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