As the school year drew to a close, we had a few questions for the Class of 2026 salutatorian, Victoria Schaefer. Read our interview with her below to hear about her favorite high school memory, favorite class, and her advice on the college application process!

What years did you attend East Rockaway schools?

I’ve been at the East Rockaway School District since kindergarten. 

What is your favorite elementary school memory?

Looking back, my favorite elementary school memories are always our class parties and events where everyone could do crafts together and take time to interact with our classmates. 

What is your favorite high school memory?

 Rock Rivalry is my favorite high school memory. I always enjoyed staying out late painting or building props/art and spending February break with all my friends. Working on all our dances, pieces of music, props, costumes, and the mural was a bonding experience for our whole grade. You could feel the love and appreciation from everyone. 

What was your favorite high school class?

 My favorite high school class was either AP Art or AP Physics. 

Who/what motivated you the most in school?

What motivated me the most in school was the goal of making my family proud. The success my family achieved despite having fewer opportunities and greater hardships than I did impacted the way I worked in school. I always wanted to make my family proud, especially when it comes to my education and what I can do with the knowledge I’ve received in school. I also had a silly but genuine goal where I wanted to be ranked number one and two in my grade with my best friend Charlotte Webster. This goal was a driving force for me to study and keep my head up high. 

What faculty member do you think influenced you the most?

 The faculty member that influenced me the most was Mr. Ceglio. Mr. Ceglio is my band teacher who I’ve had since seventh grade. Starting off as a kid who was quieter and more afraid to get involved and interact with my teachers, he really helped me come out of my shell and be comfortable developing bonds with my teachers. He’s always the teacher I go to when I need advice or just a laugh to cheer me up. Mr. Ceglio’s kind and motivating words were the solution to many of the problems I faced in school. He helped me realize what’s important in life and to keep going no matter how difficult life gets. He has taught me so many incredible life lessons that have greatly influenced my life and that I will take with me to college next year. 

What classes or extracurriculars benefited you the most? Why?

I think every class and extracurricular that I’ve taken has benefited me in an extraordinary way. However, I do believe AP Physics was one of the classes that really pushed and challenged me. It showed me that I could get through a difficult class with perseverance, by communicating with my teachers, and by working collaboratively with my peers. Before that class, I worked extremely hard, but this specific class made me realize that good grades and understanding the curriculum don’t just take 40 minutes each day. You must work hard outside of the classroom during times when you want to just relax. Life isn’t always about relaxing; it’s about pushing yourself beyond your limits to reach a goal that matters in your life. 

An extracurricular activity that had a great impact on me was girls’ lacrosse. I started lacrosse in seventh grade and stopped in 10th grade because I chose to focus more on my academic work; however, it taught me many valuable life lessons. I had never played a sport before the lacrosse tryouts in seventh grade, but that alone – starting something new with people I didn’t know very well – was crucial in getting me outside my comfort zone and learning to work together as a team.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about their high school years?

The main advice I would give incoming freshmen for their high school years is to have fun. While your education is so important and valuable, it is also important to have fun and make some lifelong friendships and memories. I recommend getting involved in various activities, clubs, or sports, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Those moments often will become your favorite memories. High school goes by quickly, and the connections you build will mean just as much as the grades you earn. 

Do you have any advice for students about to start the college application process?

The college application process is not an easy or quick process. I think all students who want to attend college should take some time during their junior year of high school to think about their college essay and set up their Common App. Additionally, during the summer before their senior year, they should start making a list of colleges they want to apply to and begin working on the supplemental essays. This is important because deadlines for some schools may seem far away, but once school starts, you can get easily distracted and forget about these essays. Overall, students should take this process seriously and stay on top of anything that comes up regarding college, as there are countless scholarship opportunities that are extremely beneficial. 

Any tips for students on staying on top of their course load?

I think it is extremely beneficial to take advantage of extra help sessions/any extra time with your teachers. Creating strong bonds with your teachers is helpful when taking rigorous classes. Also, I believe that it is important to dedicate time after school to knock out most of your work, so you don’t have to worry about it later in the day or forget about an assignment. 

What is your proudest high school accomplishment?

 My proudest high school accomplishment was being awarded Salutatorian of my class. This was always a goal of mine throughout high school, and I was fortunate to achieve it. 

Where do you hope to see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years, I hope to be a successful certified Physician's Assistant for ophthalmology! 

Thanks, Victoria! Wishing you all the best at Molloy University!