Clara Flint is one of 27 valedictorians.

What college do you plan to attend?University of Florida.”

What is your intended major? “Business/Finance.”

What other colleges have accepted you? “Wake Forest University, Florida State, University of Georgia, Clemson, Furman, Elon, UCF, Stetson, Rollins, and Baylor.”

What clubs and sports did you participate in? “Four years of varsity volleyball, one year of varsity basketball, Vice President of Rho Kappa, Treasurer of Best Buddies, Student Body Secretary, Key Club, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Academy of Finance.”

What is your favorite memory from Boone? “My favorite Boone memory was probably putting on the first Dance Marathon this year with Student Government as an Executive Board member and raising over $27,000 for Children’s Miracle Network, which supports our local Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in their greatest areas of need.”

What is your advice for incoming students? “Get involved outside of the classroom, challenge yourself in the classroom, serve others, treat others with kindness, and always be the best version of yourself.”

What are you most looking forward to about college? “Finding new passions and continuing to pursue old ones, studying new subject areas and learning not only academically, but also from my peers, and meeting new people from all over the country who are equally motivated in their academics, but also take pride in their school and all it has to offer.”

What was the biggest challenge you faced at school? “My biggest challenge was being able to do everything I wanted to be involved in and taking all of the classes I wanted to, because there is simply not enough time in the day. It was also hard to balance playing club sports and school sports, being in a challenging magnet program and handling my rigorous course load, but it taught me valuable time management skills.”

How did your experience playing sports help you succeed academically? “Because I have played sports since I could basically walk, soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, etc., I always had a very driven and competitive mindset. This allowed me to challenge myself and push myself to my limits academically because I was always motivated to do my best. It also helped because I had no time to procrastinate, since I was always busy with practices and games.”

What is your biggest goal for the next year? “I want to get involved at UF socially, and possibly even join a club sport. I want to take challenging courses but also enjoy my time at school, and take advantage of the opportunities around me.”

Who is your biggest inspiration? “My parents are my biggest inspiration because they have worked so hard to give my sister and I a life that is better than what they had and they have always encouraged me, they have never missed a game, and they push me to be the best version of myself, while allowing me to pursue my passions and strive for my goals.”

What will you miss most about Boone? “I will miss the rich tradition, the rivalry games, playing in Wayne Rickman Gymnasium, all of the wonderful teachers and staff, and my friends and teammates that never left my side throughout my time here.”

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