Head of the Class: Meet Marist School's Valedictorian

• Meghan Connolly
• , Senior
• This local student has worked hard to earn top honors

When Meghan Connolly started Marist in the seventh grade, she had no idea that five years later she would be graduating from her class as Valedictorian. But this title is one that was earned with a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance.

She is a National Honor Society member, Co-President of the French National Honor Society, recipient of the schools class medal award for having the highest GPA in both 10th and 11th grade, and earned the biggest accolades this year when they announced her as Marist Valedictorian for the class of 2011.

When asked what she feels has helped her do so well she mentions her time as a retreat leader, helping younger kids at the yearly retreat that Marist hosts.

"I feel like being a retreat leader helped my leadership skills, and I enjoyed doing it," she said.

The captain of the Marist volleyball team has been active in not only academics, but in athletics as well. She helped lead her team to their 3rd place finish in the State this year, and was part of the 2nd place finishing team her sophomore and junior years, and says that it is definitely her biggest activity at school.

Connolly has studied French for the past five years, and traveled to Paris for the first time over Christmas, where she was able to put her French into use, and hopes to be able to study abroad in a French speaking country in the future.

Her goals are big, and include attending The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania in the fall, where she plans on playing volleyball as well as majoring in economics, with a possible concentration in finance, and a double major in either International Relations or French.

Not many young adults can set their dreams so high, and we have no doubt she will conquer Philadelphia with as much gusto and gumption as she has at Marist!