Emily Pan '24 Named Valedictorian

          Emily Pan ’24 has been selected as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2024. Each year, a committee of faculty members chooses the Valedictorian from a select group of V Form students who excel both academically and participate actively in Lawrenceville.

When informed about her selection by V Form Level Director Etienne Bilodeau, Pan just “stared at [Bilodeau] for a long time, in complete surprise,” wondering “if this was a joke and if someone was going to pull out a camera.” 

          Throughout her time at Lawrenceville, Pan has shown her commitment to the community by serving most notably as the Graphics Editor for The Lawrence’s 143rd Board, captain of the rocketry club, senior vice president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), a Lunch and Dialogue organizer, and a 2023 Hutchins Social Justice Scholar. When reflecting on her leadership, Pan said, “[she] began showing up to clubs like Rocketry and GSA out of plain curiosity. But [she] connected with the people and developed a genuine passion.” She is also grateful for the fact that “a lot of [her] positions require interacting with the underclassmen and people [she] would have never otherwise met,” thus allowing her to appreciate the community that much more.

          On Commencement, Pan will deliver an address to the whole school. She is both excited and anxious, as “this is a once and a lifetime opportunity” and recognizes the honor of being selected for this role. “Even though [Commencement] is less than two months away, it has been constantly on [her] mind,” she said. In her speech, Pan hopes to focus on gratitude, something she has been recently reflecting on. “There were so many things I was able to do because of the resources and opportunities I was given here and because of the people I met. And I want to thank the community, who helped me grow, helped guide me along the way, and pointed me in the directions I wouldn’t have otherwise chosen.” 

          Pan encourages underformers to seek Lawrenceville’s “hidden resources,” and says that “if you have a passion, this school probably has resources for that passion, or at least someone you can talk to who can help you find the right resources.” This was how Pan learned to sew, an activity she sought out for fun but finds extremely rewarding. “I knew there was a costume shop, and so I just asked the theater department if I could work in there from time to time,” she explained. 

          When asked to give any last advice to her student peers, she concluded, “Don’t waste your time dwelling on trivial things. Four years isn’t a very long time. Spend it well, and most importantly, have fun!”