When seniors this year were prompted with the question, “Who in your class is most likely to change the world?” The first name that came to the mind of many was Delaney Brown: and for good reason. As a leader in various clubs and on several teams, and a member of many other clubs and organizations, it’s safe to say that Brown’s schedule is quite full. Here let’s highlight some of Brown’s greatest accolades. 

Brown has been a natural leader from an early age. At Macopin Middle School, she was elected by her peers as one of the officers of the Student Council during her 8th grade year. Alongside other elected officers, she led fundraising efforts and organized various events for her class. Her leadership characteristics carried over with her to the High School, as she now serves as the Vice President of West Milford’s class of 2022 as well as participating and taking leadership in multiple West Milford organizations, such as Peers As Leaders, Heroes and Cool Kids. Likewise, she leads teammates on the fencing and tennis teams and has been captain of fencing for three years.  She contributes to other student organizations as the Historian of the National Honor Society. Her leadership skills have qualified her to become a junior staff member for Hugo O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation, as well as for awards such as the National Girls & Women in Sports Award.

Brown’s achievements extend beyond the classroom, having earned seven varsity letters in two sports over the course of the past four years. Though successful in tennis, the bulk of Brown’s athletic achievements come from fencing. Having taken up fencing in sixth grade, she has excelled in her sport. She began competing regionally at the age of twelve, and excelled on the West Milford Varsity Fencing team her freshman year. She has won an astounding 142 matches, only losing 29. Recently, she became the only West Milford fencer with 100 career wins. Her senior season has recently come to an end, going 48-3 on the season. Her stellar performances have earned her first-team all county four years in a row. Brown has also competed in the regional and national level, spending her summer in Philadelphia to fence in the Junior Olympics and National Championships.

Some of Brown’s most passionate interests revolve around the world of politics and journalism. Brown’s interest in politics was initially sparked during the 2016 Presidential Election. Ever since, she has been finding ways to keep up with the happenings of today, always reading up on current events reported from a multitude of sources. Brown herself serves as an Editor-in-Chief for a third year of the Highlander Echo, West Milford High School’s newspaper. Having taken journalism all four years of high school, Brown says that, “Journalism has shaped me as a person as well as my future goals. Mrs. Petrosillo has constantly inspired me and taught me the importance of fair journalism, ultimately making reporting and news my passion.” Brown will look to continue building upon what she’s learned at West Milford, pursuing journalism as a major in college. 

Next year Brown will travel to Granville, Ohio to attend Denison University. Founded in 1831, the liberal arts school is among the oldest in the Northwest. At Denison, Brown will be a part of the school’s esteemed women’s fencing team. She looks forward to being a member of a new team, and entering NCAA competition. Spanning 850 acres, Denison is known for its ravishing views and historic campus. While excited to begin her college journey, Brown hopes to make the most of the time she has at West Milford, and can’t wait to spend time with friends at end of the year activities such as prom and the senior trip to Six Flags before graduating in June. We wish the best of luck to Delaney with her future endeavors.