[slideshow_deploy id=’84044′]Achieving such a status as valedictorian in high school comes with the ability to manage time as wisely as possible. Senior Riley Bassett juggled between soccer, football, water polo, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and more, while maintaining a 4.0 unweighted G.P.A.
“I rarely do my homework at home. I try to get most of it done before I get out of class,” Bassett said.
Before each transition bell rang, Bassett would have his homework completed, allowing him to focus on his various activities and social life in the evenings.
“[My biggest achievement in high school is] being able to maintain several AP classes and still have fun. The fact that I had never had a B kept me going. I was always afraid of getting that first one,” Bassett said.
This method of completing homework worked for Bassett as he maintained a high weighted GPA as well as the perfect unweighted GPA.
Traditionally, Bassett was a soccer player, playing junior varsity his sophomore year and making the varsity team his junior year. Senior year was one to try new things which inspired him to join the water polo team.
“I heard the team needed a goalie so I decided to try my luck at it, [since I already had experience as a soccer goalie],” Bassett said. “I wanted a new experience and I wanted to continue my athletic career.”
Bassett’s strengths lie in the math and science departments, a feat which aids in his continued perseverance of A’s in high school classes.
“[My favorite classes in high school are] AP Chemistry with Coach Lisort and AP Calculus with Dr. Tachon equally,” Bassett said.
Grades were a priority for Bassett but the importance of having a balanced life, especially with friends, was something he did not want to neglect.
“[Being valedictorian means] getting all A’s, dedication, and knowing your priorities,” Bassett said.
In the future, Bassett hopes to use his knowledge to major in physics or biomedical engineering at the University of Florida. He enjoys math and science, and the applications in their field.