This Week's Student Spotlight: Kerry Dolan

Age: 18

School: Nanuet High School

Key Accomplishment: Kerry is the Valedictorian of the 2011 graduating class at Nanuet High School

Achievements:

Valedictorian is the term used to distinguish the highest ranked student in the graduating class.  Out of about 170 students, Kerry Dolan is number one. 

Not only is she a member of the National Honor Society but she is an executive leadership board member.  As a board member she was responsible for organizing members' hours. A few weeks ago she wrapped up her responsibilities by giving the closing speech at the induction ceremony for the junior class of the National Honor Society.

She is also in the Foreign Language Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and a National Merit Scholar - Commended Student.  She also was a recipient of the Presidential Leadership Award.

Last year she won the The Rensselaer Polytech Institute medal which is awarded to the student with the highest math/science combined GPA in the junior class. 

As a Girl Scout she has achieved the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.

"For my Gold Award I held a workshop for 4th and 5th grade students teaching them about Sun Safety and protecting their skin from the dangers of the sun," said Kerry Dolan.

Throughout her high school career she has shown proven leadership skills taking the initiative to spearhead ideas that she believes in. 

She is the co-founder and president of Youth Against Cancer (YAC).

"Youth Against Cancer is an organization that I founded with my sister, Katie Dolan,  two years ago. This was originally an independent study project that grew into an amazing club for students to participate in, which really promotes cancer awareness throughout the school. This year is especially exciting for YAC because we will have a team participating in the Relay for Life event in Pearl River on June 17th," said Kerry Dolan.

Kerry has been involved with student government since she was a freshman. Whether it was in the student senate or the student council, she was an active member. She is also President of  Women's Issues Now (WIN).

"Women's Issues Now is an organization that raises money for causes that benefit women in the community, for example we have an annual holiday dinner that we donate proceeds from to a women's shelter. We recently made a donation to a charity that provides services to young women in Africa to help them further their education," said Dolan.

Although she has serious dedication to school and great causes, Kerry still enjoys having fun with her friends as well as succeeding in other areas other than academics.

She enjoys playing Field Hockey and has been a varsity starter and captain all four years. She was also selected for All- League in field hockey and won the Golden Dozen Field Hockey Award.

"My position in field hockey is defense and my favorite game this year was our senior game because although it was bittersweet as it was our last home game, it was really nice to see all the efforts that the younger girls put into honoring all that we have given to the field hockey program over the years," said Dolan.

She plays First-trumpet in the Nanuet High School Band, and has achieved silver and gold ratings for NYSSMA in trumpet.  Kerry also participated in the jazz band and was in the pit orchestra for the spring musicals.

"For All county, I participated in the All County weekend on the trumpet which included two days of practices and concluded with a concert," said Dolan.

In addition to the trumpet, Kerry has been a musician in the Acosta School of Irish Music and Dance for ten years. She has been an International competitor and qualifier in the Fleadh Cheoil, the world championship competition which takes place in Ireland. 

"I have been fortunate enough to travel to Ireland five times in the past seven years to compete in the Fleadh, an international music competition. I play the piano and the concertina. In order compete at the Fleadh in Ireland, you must place 1st or 2nd in a qualifier competition in the US," said Dolan.

In Kerry's spare time she volunteers endlessly. Some of the recent programs she has spent time with are: St. Baldrick's Day, Schools Againts Cancer 5K run, American Cancer Society Bark for Life Dogwalk, McHugh 5K run, and People-to-People.

Having excelled in math and science combined with a recurring interest in fighting cancer, it should come as no surprise that Kerry is heading into the healthcare field.

She will be studying Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania come September. 

Kerry had her choice of schools to select for her studies.  She was accepted into the nursing schools at The University of Virginia, Boston College, Villanova University, The University of Vermont, Quinnipiac University and Pace University

Kerry has achieved academically and at the same time has given back so much to the community.  Nanuet has been fortunate to have this student walk it's halls. But now it's time to say goodbye as she heads off to college. 

It's students like this that show promise for our future. Perhaps she'll be the one to find the cure.

Congratulations and good luck Kerry!