At last week’s senior awards night, Jenney Huang was announced as the 2025 valedictorian. The Classic customarily interviews both the valedictorian and salutatorian afterwards. Last night, The Classic spoke to 2025 salutatorian Shamonti Shamim. Here is our interview with Jenney:
Q: What does being valedictorian mean to you?
Jenney: Throughout high school, I have often prioritized my personal well-being over striving for perfection. I promised myself that I would trust myself to recover from setbacks and that I would listen to my mind and body when they asked for a break. Hence, I would say that being the valedictorian is a testament to this mindset of remaining resilient, trusting myself, and most importantly, taking care of my personal well-being. This recognition also increases my appreciation for my background, support system, and privileges, which give me the confidence and circumstances to be who I am and believe in myself.
Q: What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned at Townsend?
Jenney: The most valuable lesson I have learned at Townsend is to always remain open-minded. It is a privilege to be a part of a community as diverse as that of Townsend Harris. Everyone is admirable and amazing in their own way, so there is always something new to learn from each person and experience. There were many moments, conversations, and experiences that upon reflection, contained interesting and valuable insights and opinions, helping me realize the significance of connections and various perspectives. Understanding and appreciating how much I can learn from anyone has motivated and taught me to become more ambitious, empathetic, and mindful.
Q: What are your best pieces of advice for current underclassman and the incoming class?
Jenney: My best pieces of advice are to trust yourself and put yourself out there. There are so many opportunities and extracurricular activities that may not seem extremely appealing at first glance, but could be where you find your best friend or encounter a new career path or even discover your new favorite sport. If you have even the slightest bit of interest in an activity or opportunity (and are able to manage it), I think it is worth a try. Even if you eventually dislike it, you at least did not deprive yourself of the opportunity to explore, grow, or surprise yourself.
Q: What is the best advice you have received that you’ve found helpful?
Jenney: The best advice I have received is that everyone has their own “timeline” and works at their own pace. It is incredibly easy to go down the rabbit hole of doubting yourself and feeling like you may not be doing enough compared to others, but it is important to focus on yourself and your best self. “Everyone is running their own race, in their own time. You are very much on time.” – Unknown
Q: What is your best late-night-procrastination memory?
Jenney: The day before the first FON performance, I had four sets of press-on nails to complete. They were all completely different styles and I did not know where to start. After setting up my workspace, I began to decorate the nail bases alongside 2010’s pop music. It was the first time I pulled an all-nighter, but the constant satisfaction, joy, and adrenaline kept me awake until the morning. That night I felt like I was in my own world, immersed in numerous colors and creative challenges.
Q: What is the least expected thing to have happened to you during your time at THHS?
Jenney: Before entering Townsend, I could never imagine myself as a leader or as someone who holds a leadership position. Growing up, I had a very reserved personality and always chose to remain in my comfort zone. However, throughout high school, I chose to pursue new experiences and constantly step out of my comfort zone. These experiences helped me discover new interests, surprise myself, avoid regrets, and grow as a person, which gave me the confidence to hold leadership positions. I never thought I would grow into this version of myself, but I am so grateful that I did.
Q: What has been your favorite memory out of your four years at THHS?
Jenney: My favorite memory was the night before the 2023-2024 Science Olympiad New York State Competition. Three friends and I stayed up until 2 AM talking and laughing in our hotel room, despite knowing we had to compete early in the morning on the following day. Although states competition season was one of my most stressful experiences, that night felt so interestingly wholesome and relaxing. Our laughs were contagious and just one giggle could trigger an outburst of inane laughter.
Q: What college will you be attending? What are you most looking forward to for college?
Jenney: I will be attending Yale University and am most looking forward to interacting with the diverse community, experiencing living away from home, exploring different fields of studies, and working with a schedule that does not have a fixed 8 AM to 3 PM structure. Of course, I am also very excited to eat at all the dining halls and neighboring pizza places!
Q: What if any are your current career goals and/ or plans for the future? What do you plan on studying in college?
Jenney: Currently, I plan to study economics and data science and eventually work in the finance field. However, I am still not sure about what specific sector of finance I would like to work in, so I am excited to explore career options. My plans are not set in stone yet (but definitely a career in STEM) so I am keeping my options open, especially at a liberal arts college like Yale.
Q: Describe your high school experience compared to how it’s shown on TV.
Jenney: Admittedly, I have not watched many movies or shows based in a high school setting, but I believe that the high school experiences as shown on TV are more dramatized than my own high school experience. Although there are mixed opinions on cafeteria food and distinct friend groups, I have not witnessed any physical fights or cliques that dictate what students wear each day. I prefer to keep to myself and surround myself with people who I feel comfortable with, which has absolutely helped to better my own experience.
