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Salutatorian’s biggest influence: band
Salutatorian Kimberly Hagen manages a smile during her speech to her classmates. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 2, 2012 9:05AM
Elmwood Park High School’s salutatorian, Kim Hagen, will miss one thing about high school: band.
“Band at Elmwood Park High School has influenced everything I’ve done, and it has influenced my life,” said the graduating senior who played flute during the commencement event May 18.
Besides band, Hagen was involved in several activities such as key club, thesbian society and math club. She is vice president of the student council and a Snowball club leader.
“This year, I was enrolled in three AP classes, such as calculus, literature and physics,” Hagen said. “I’ve only gotten one “B” my entire high school career.”
As if this is not enough, she has held high positions in band.
She was first chair, a drum major and a section leader.
“I am always at school!” Hagen said. “I’ve really learned to manage schoolwork, activities and band.”
A tip Hagen gives other students who are involved in many activities is to try to finish your homework at school or before and after meetings.
Hagen says she will never forget Elmwood Park High School because it offered her so much, especially being involved in band.
“My AP classes have truly influenced what I want to do with my life,” she said. “I want band to be a part of me forever. It is something I will always do.”
Her graduation speech — which she admitted she had never made a speech of that magnitude before — challenged underclassmen to realize that they can achieve anything at Elmwood Park High School.
“If freshman take advantage of the AP classes and activities, they can do great things with their life and get into an amazing college,” Hagen said.
Her family and friends weren’t surprised she was named salutatorian.
“My family knows my academic drive,” she said. “But they are still so proud of me.”
For the future, Hagen plans on attending University of Illinois in Champagne for mechanical engineering. Her dream is to one day build and design a roller coaster.
