Senior Spotlight ~ Allison Bray

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What are some of your proudest accomplishments during your time at Greeley?
I will always be proud of my unwavering love and dedication to learning. From being challenged in Math 9 Honors, to disappointment when finding out that Greeley was no longer offering AP European History, I always sought to enrich my learning experiences and go above and beyond what was expected of me. I am very appreciative of my independent study this past year, which allowed me to fulfill my love for learning history. I truly learned so much that will continue to be put to use in college and beyond.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my accomplishments outside of the classroom as well. As a passionate figure skater, I have devoted so much of the past 13 years to developing my skills and being the best I can possibly be. As of spring 2023, I have passed 35 tests sanctioned by US Figure Skating, including finishing my Moves in the Field, Dance, and Solo Dance tests, which means I carry the honor of being a US Figure Skating Triple Gold Medalist. This is an extremely important accomplishment in the world of figure skating and one that I will carry proudly for the rest of my life.

What are your plans for next year?
In the fall, I will be attending Cornell University where I will be studying history and international relations. I also intend to compete in solo ice dance on the Cornell Figure Skating Team.

What’s a challenge that you overcame during your time at Greeley?
For a long time, I struggled with knowing when to stop and take it easy. As a middle schooler, I always strove for perfection, pressuring myself to have an A+ in every class. Going into Greeley, I expected that I would keep this same mentality. However, I quickly learned that this was not a good expectation to have, especially when it conflicted with my happiness and well-being. I started blocking out the nervousness of my peers--which at times was palpable--and focused on being the best that I could possibly be rather than the best version of some of my peers. I found it was through this ideology that gave me significantly more confidence and attribute much of my high school success to it.

Share a favorite memory from your time in the District. 
It is incredibly difficult to choose just a single memory to categorize as my favorite, as all my years were filled with joy and wonderment. One moment that I will always cherish has to be at Westorchard, when my friends and I would play a game we called "The Adventures of...", where we were each a different animal and tried to solve many issues that we believed plagued the playground, such as fighting monster traffic cones. It was our time to believe that we were larger than life, that we could be anything we wanted and had the ability to make a difference in the world. Some of my childhood friends and I still reminisce about those days.

How have Chappaqua's schools impacted you?
I cannot even begin to express the immense impact that my teachers have played in my development as a student and as a human being. I still remember learning in second grade at Westorchard about American heroes, which I consider to be one of the initial sparks that ignited my love for history. Along with my other passion for literature, it was through many of my teachers that I was able to nurture my interests and immerse myself in new and exciting worlds. I have the utmost gratitude for them, and I couldn't imagine the last 13 years being any different.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
After graduating college, I hope to earn a graduate degree from the University of Oxford. After accomplishing that, I plan on studying extensively for the US Foreign Service Exam with the goal of being a diplomat for the US Department of State.

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Congratulations to Allison and the Class of 2023! Nominate a senior for a senior spotlight by submitting this form.