Mount Vernon High School Valedictorian: Motivating Self, Others

MOUNT VERNON, NY — This year's valedictorians and salutatorians in the Mount Vernon school district are an extraordinary group of young people — aspiring doctors, researchers, designers, lawyers. Patch asked them to answer a few questions about their high school experience and what they look forward to in the future.

Today, meet Peace Oji, valedictorian at Mount Vernon High School.

Question: What will you miss most about high school?

Answer: In high school, your misbehaviors will most likely to be tolerated, but on the other hand, your accomplishments will be praised because you live in a small community. You are seen as a child because
of the phrase “High School student” attached to your name. When you are treated this way you are given many advantages like being looked up to by your peers, or even being a source of help for your peers. On the other hand, you probably won’t be taken seriously for your misconducts. That was how my high school environment was. But, now we are moving on into a community that has open walls but with many people of diverse ethnicity. It’s a crowd you might get lost or found in, it’s a crowd where even though your birth certificate says you are 17, it doesn't matter sometimes because you are expected to mature into a “college student.” What I would miss about Mount Vernon High School, specifically, is its atmosphere and it’s small community.

Q: What are you looking forward to in moving on to college?

A: If I was asked this question two weeks ago I would respond by saying, “I want to go college in order to
get a degree, and hopefully that will lead to a job.” But, after attending a workshop at a scholarship
event, my motivation has changed. I’m looking forward to the college experience in order to get
uncomfortable, this will allow me to break the walls that I couldn't before. I want to motivate people or
even become the first person to say “hello” to socially awkward student and I want to learn from others.
I want to change the quote that says “leaders of tomorrow” to, “leaders of today.” I don’t have to be the
most influential person to make a difference. After all, every good thing you know started from nothing.
More than just obtaining a degree and hopefully a career, I want to be a motivator, a creator and a
learner.

Q: What was your favorite high school class?

A: My favorite high school class was my AP English Language class. This class was able to bring out my public speaking skills, which was something I never knew I had. I even felt insecure of my skills due to my accent. This class gave me the means to explore different methods of writing and gave me strength at the same time. It was more than academic goods, I also had fun. I made friends with people who I was once awkward with, people I could learn from and people who could motivate me to be the best I can be.

Q: What clubs or extracurriculars were you involved in?

A: A few clubs that I have been a part of include National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Varsity Tennis, Ladies of Distinction, The UN Club, Korean Club, AKAP (Alpha Kappa), Church Choir, Monroe College Jumpstart Program, Binghamton University Summer Program, Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Program, Mount Vernon Star Scholars and STRONG.

Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen?

A: “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation,” meaning you shouldn't expect to receive something or become successful at something if you lack in preparation or are not willing to fight (not literally) for that thing. For example you can't say “I wish I had a 90” when you didn’t study for that test. You also can’t say I wouldn’t have gotten into a program if you didn’t even bother to apply for it. As an underclassman, you should prepare yourself beforehand, nothing comes to you when you stay idle. You should also have humility in whatever you do. There is always room to learn from others, overly proud people can lose opportunities. Finally, “no one knows tomorrow,” so be kind to everyone you come across.

Q: Any teachers/staff who stood out throughout your journey?

A: One who stood out throughout my journey was my counselor Ms. Williams. She was more than just a counselor, she became a mother, a friend, a book I could learn from, the source of my inspiration, the person that keeps me going when it seems like everything was falling apart. She didn’t just treat me like a student, she treated me like family. When I first arrived at Mount Vernon High School, I was awkward when it came to doing certain things, like applying for programs. But, Ms. Williams would always encourage me and say, “Peace, you can do it!” and that is what fueled me this far.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Ten years from now, I see myself working in the health sector and a practitioner but I’m not sure if I want to specialize in Pediatrics or Surgery.

Q: Tell us a fun fact about you.

8. One fun fact about me is that I learned how to use a computer through YouTube. When I came to the United States, in 2015, I had no idea how to type my essays or do anything related to computers because we had a different way of learning in Nigeria. But I knew what YouTube was, because I watched international movies using it when I still lived in Nigeria.

Photo courtesy Mount Vernon school district