This year’s salutatorian, Anna Youngren, has distinguished herself through academic excellence, creat-ivity and a deep commitment to the arts.

After graduation, she will attend Muhlenberg College, where she plans to double major in theater and bus-iness. Her long-term goal is to work in marketing while remaining active in the theater community as a performer.

Youngren credits her success to diligent study and the support of family, friends and teachers, all of whom encour-aged her throughout high school and helped her grow both academically and personally.

Theater teacher Heather Burns made a particularly meaningful impact on her,

helping Youngren grow as both a performer and a person.

Through the program, the auditorium became Youngren’s “second home” and theater her most influential extracurricular activity. Here she was challenged to grow as a performer and where Burns “pushed [her] to try new things and develop [her] skills.”

One of her proudest accomplishments was placing fifth in improv-isational pairs at the STANJ Theatre Competition with her “bus buddy,” Gio.

While theater shaped much of her high school experience, Youngren also found fulfillment in the classroom. English was her favorite subject because of her love for writing and the opportunity to strengthen her skills both creatively and academically.

One of her greatest academic challenges came in AP U.S. History, where she had to master centuries of content in a short amount of time. Although demanding, she found the experience rewarding.

Many of Youngren’s favorite memories center around the friendships she formed during high school. She fondly recalls singing “Hot to Go” with her friends at junior prom, saying it “felt like a movie in the best way.”

If she could relive one moment, she would choose the choir trip to New York City, especially seeing “The Great Gatsby” and “fangirling on the subway after.”

Looking back, she says she will miss her underclassmen friends most after graduation because they often felt more like family.

Outside of school, Youngren enjoys reading “Iron Widow” by Xiran Jay Zhao, watching “Across the Spider-Verse,” listening to “GO HARD” by Twice, enjoying mint tea with “a ton of honey” and eating at Olive Garden.

When asked what advice she would offer other students, Youngren encour-ages them not to measure their progress against others. “Try not to compare yourself to others,” she said. “Everyone is on their own path, so someone else’s progress shouldn’t influence how you measure yourself.”

If she could speak to her freshman year self, her message would be simple:

“Stop worrying so much about everything and calm down.”

One study habit that helped her stay organized was reviewing her notes before bed, a routine she believes improved retention.

The most important less-on she learned during high school was “not to let little mistakes stop you from enjoying your experience.”

Through her hard work, talent and positive outlook, Youngren has made a lasting impact on her school community and leaves behind an inspiring example for future students.

Congrats to Youngren and her fellow graduates.