Salutatorian Lily Charpentier
Where you are from: Naples
Parents names: Andrea Dacko and Paul Charpentier

School organizations/sports: Band, Chorus, Drama Club, National Honor Society, Tennis Team

Honors: Class of 2016 Salutatorian; Class of 2016 Awards of Excellence in Spanish, English, Physics, Science, Math, and Art; High Honors

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Like many of her classmates, Lily Charpentier really couldn’t remember much about her first day of school.

So, she pulled out an old picture.

“In my picture, I have a pink bow at the top of my ponytail, my backpack is just about as large as I am, and I have a card hanging around my neck,” she told her classmates during Lake Region High School’s graduation ceremony Sunday. “Now that was an important card. It was in the shape of a crayon box and had my bus number and classroom written on it. It told me exactly where I needed to go that day.”

As salutatorian, Lily told members of the Class of 2016 (her speech can be read in its entirety in Section C) they no longer have cards dangling from their necks telling them where to go. The decision is now theirs to make.

“Our life isn’t mapped out for us, and it may be difficult to find our own path. But now we have the freedom to go out and dictate our own futures,” she said. “…No longer will our parents be holding our hands as they did on that first day of school. We now have the responsibility of leading our own lives and that’s exciting.”

The News went One on One with Salutatorian Lily Charpentier this week:

BN. People often wonder, how does a student become the tops in their class? What has it taken for you to achieve this incredible honor?

LILY: It takes self-direction and the desire to always do your best.

BN. Young people often have a difficult time balancing schoolwork and other things such as sports, music and social events. How were you able to be involved yet maintain such high marks?

LILY: I like to dedicate a specific time everyday to do my homework. I will save my time directly after school in order to be involved with after-school activities, and I will work on my homework after dinner that night. If I have to stay later for something like a rehearsal, I will work on my assignments between scenes or try to get it done early.

BN. What advice would you give incoming freshmen in regards to finding a good balance?

LILY: Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to keep your grades perfect. Yes, good grades are important, but it is also important to give yourself some time to relax and maybe get some sleep. But don’t slack off too much either. Dedicate a specific time everyday to completing your work.

BN. Speaking of freshmen, what were your goals as you entered high school; how did you make it happen; and any regrets?

LILY: When entering high school, my only goal was to put forth my best effort and by prioritizing my studies and school activities. I think I achieved this. I have no regrets. I have done all that I could have to get my grades to where they were.

BN. We live in such a changing world. What were the three biggest changes you experienced over your high school days and what impact did they have on you?

LILY: With each year of high school, I have gained more independence and responsibilities. I also got my first job during my junior year. These have all prepared me a bit for the world after high school. My work and assignments have taught me to be more responsible and I am glad that I have learned useful skills for the years of school ahead.

BN. What were three most difficult things you had to overcome during your high school days?

LILY: I have a bad procrastination habit and I learned quickly that many assignments cannot be left to the night before. I also had to find a balance between assignments and school activities. The plays and musicals take up a lot of after-school time and it was difficult preparing for tests and presentations near opening nights. Lastly, I had to learn to leave my comfort zone. I would not have discovered so many activities that I now enjoy if I had not gone and tried something new.

BN. What were the three things you were most proud of?

LILY: I am most proud of stepping out of my comfort zone, how much my work ethic has progressed, and the fact that I put forth my best effort.

BN. What three things would you change at Lake Region High School, and why?

LILY: I can’t think of anything I would change. I had an amazing high school experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

BN. What was the greatest lesson you learned during your high school days, and how will it help you in the future?

LILY: I have learned that procrastination only hurts you. I have lost a few hours of sleep over assignments I thought would take way less time than they actually did. I have learned my lesson and will try my best to finish future college assignments as soon as possible.

BN. Speaking of the future, what is next for you? Where are you headed; have you decided on a career path, and if so, what lead you in this direction?

LILY: In the fall, I will be attending the University of Maine and majoring in biochemistry. I haven’t decided on a career path yet, but I am looking into either the medical field or research. Hopefully, my time at UMaine will help me decide.

BN. Finally, give me three people who have been a major influence during your high school days and how have they impacted you developing in into the person you are today?

LILY: All of my teachers have been wonderful, but if I’m forced to pick out three who have most influenced me: Mrs. Arris is a visual arts teacher at the high school. She has helped me to discover my interest in the arts and has helped me with my artistic endeavors throughout high school, especially during my senior year. Creating art is now one of my favorite hobbies. Dr. Greenstone, the school band director, has pushed me throughout the years to be the best player that I can be. Without him, I would have put down my flute years ago and now I hope to be a part of my university’s concert band. Coach Peterson was the first person to really interest me in a sport. I first learned how to play from her when I was in middle school and through her mentorship I wanted to continue playing into high school where she coaches the girls’ tennis team. I was pushed out of my comfort zone into a sport that I really enjoy.