St. Joseph valedictorian to attend Princeton
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EMALEE HALL
High School: St. Joseph High School
Grade Point Average: 101.991
Parents: Scott and Shanna Hall
College: Princeton University; will either double major or double minor with major in either: Economics, English and Political Science. Plans to ...
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EMALEE HALL
High School: St. Joseph High School
Grade Point Average: 101.991
Parents: Scott and Shanna Hall
College: Princeton University; will either double major or double minor with major in either: Economics, English and Political Science. Plans to attend law school.
Activities: National Honor Society, Student Ambassador, Girls State and Girls Nation, Student Council President, Peer tutoring at St. Joseph High School.
ST. JOSESPH'S GRADUATION
Class size:78
Ceremony:7p.m. Sunday
Location: Victoria College Auditorium
At the start of her senior year, Emalee Hall had the choice to attend any college she wanted.
The St. Joseph High School class of 2009 valedictorian applied to colleges across the nation.
Ultimately, she faced the tough choice, choosing between an in-state university and an Ivy League school.
"I had to decide between a full ride to (St. Mary's University) and going to Princeton," Emalee said. "I made my decision two days before deadline."
Deciding between having more of a social life and focusing on academics were the two details Emalee focused on to make her decision.
"After visiting both schools I realized that I would have more of a social life at SMU, but after spending a night at Princeton I was captured," Emalee said.
Emalee is the student council president and has been described as outstanding in academics and community service, Principal Bill McArdle said.
"She has always been outstanding in class, and she's big on community service," he said.
Although St. Joseph does require its students to do community service, Emalee has always gone above and beyond the requirements, McArdle said.
"She is a real leader in her class and is a wonderful human being," he said. "I'm sure Princeton will be very pleased with her."
The senior has been preparing for college since the beginning of her high school career. But now that the year has come to an end, she is struggling with goodbye.
"When I made my decision for college, I had to decide if I wanted to be a drive away from family and friends or if I wanted to be a flight away," Emalee said.
She opted for the flight because of the opportunities Princeton can offer, and now the realization of being away is hitting home.
"I've enjoyed every minute I have spent at St. Joe," Emalee said. "I'm excited and sad at the same time."
She will take a short break before she leaves for college. Emalee and a few friends have planned a trip to Disney World.
"I want to spend as much time as possible with my friends before we all leave and go our separate ways," she said.
She will continue her community service work in the summer and serve as a counselor at Girls State in Seguin. Last summer she was a participant.
The sleepless nights and hard work she put into her studies was not for recognition but for the love of learning new information, Emalee said.
"A lot of late nights, hard work and dedication have helped me to get to this point," Emalee said.
Related story: St. Joseph salutatorian makes mark in academics and golf
