It is that time of year when we shine a light on the students who will represent the Class of 2026 as Valedictorian and Salutatorians. We caught up with Noah Rinke, Briarcliff High School’s 2026 Valedictorian, as well as the two Salutatorians –
and Ava Wu – to find out what their college plans are, what advice they have for incoming freshmen and what they have learned during their time at Briarcliff High School.
Q: What college are you attending in the fall and have you chosen a major?
Noah Rinke: I’m planning to attend Stanford University in the fall, tentatively as a Mathematics major.
Chase Duperrouzel: Undecided college, majoring in mechanical engineering.
Ava Wu: I have no idea where I’m going yet, but I applied to most colleges as a statistics major (though that’s definitely not set in stone).
Q: Do you have a specific career in mind?
NR: No.
CD: I intend to pursue a career in engineering.
AW: I am not sure what career I plan to enter – there are so many things that I’m interested in, and I really want to take my time in college to explore them all.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
NR: I’m not sure I can name a specific role model; there’s no specific life I want to emulate. I only hope I can have the strength do what is right for those around me and the bravery to live life to the fullest.
CD: My role model is the fictional character Rocky Balboa because he showed me that persistence and belief in yourself can help you overcome any obstacle.
AW: My parents. I admire their tenacity and their ability to make the most of every opportunity that’s given to them. I strive to exhibit the resilience and compassion of my mom, and I hope to one day be as adventurous and dexterous as my dad. I love them so much, and I am very grateful for everything they have done for me.
Q: How has Briarcliff High School prepared you for college? What would you say is the most important thing you learned at BHS?
NR: There are of course the high-level courses that have enriched my knowledge and prepared me for higher level thinking and engagement in my studies. In addition to that, though, and while this mainly comes from theater for me, (I know many people who’ve found it in sports, Science Research, clubs, and more) Briarcliff has instilled in me something more human. I like to think I’m heading to college with the ability to join, collaborate within, and even lead a true community.
CD: BHS taught me time management and collaboration, but I think the most important thing I learned at BHS is to do things that bring me joy.
AW: The rigorous courseload at BHS has definitely prepared me for the demands of college academics by teaching me how to manage my time and study effectively. However, the best part of BHS is its wonderful staff members who are always willing to support their students in so many ways. The faculty here is truly one-of-a-kind.
Q: What are some of your hobbies and extra-curricular activities?
NR: I do a lot of work in technical theater—stage management and sound design in particular. I also play Double Bass and am involved with my temple.
CD: I like spending time with my friends, especially on the golf course and while playing Xbox. I am also a member of the Varsity Lacrosse team and a caddie in my spare time.
AW: I love music – I play the violin and sing. Right now, I’m also performing in the spring musical, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” – come see it March 6-7! I’m a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, and I’m a hurdler on the track team. I enjoy scrapbooking, taking pictures on my digicam, and playing pickleball with my mom.
Q: Do you have any time-management tips for juggling school, extra-curricular activities, etc?
NR: Make time for friends. It can sometimes feel like an added stressor, but time and time again I find it to be the exact opposite. I leave rejuvenated and energized for anything that comes next.
CD: Figure out what’s most important to you and put it first.
AW: Make it easy and enjoyable for yourself to complete the tasks you need to do. For me personally, using cute stationery has helped me stay motivated. It just feels so nice to open up a pretty planner, write down the things I need to do, and get them done. I like to decorate mine with stickers. It also helps to use activities or hobbies as breaks instead of just rotting on social media. For instance, if I’ve been studying for a while, I’ll practice violin or add a few things to my scrapbook. That way, when I get back to studying, I feel refreshed and happier.
Q: What advice would you give to parents who want to help their teenagers succeed?
NR: There are things outside of your control. I know personally it’s one of the hardest things to grapple with, but it stubbornly remains true. Your child will certainly excel, but they will fail, nevertheless. They will act without thinking and think without acting. Their life—friends, passions, motivations—will develop and change without prior approval. I know this because I’ve lived it, sometimes to my parents’ dismay. Unfortunately, you can’t steal someone’s learning curve of life. If you love your kids, let them be free.
CD: Don’t stress too much on academics. Good grades aren’t everything and if I could go back, I would probably study a little less and live a little more.
AW: It’s important to really try to understand what kind of person your child is and give them support based on what they need. Everyone is different, and some people might thrive with more independence while others might need more of a push towards the right direction. What worked for you when you were younger might not work for your child, and what worked for one child might not work for another one.
Q: Do you have any advice for current eighth graders who will be going to BHS in the fall on how to make the most of their high school years?
NR: Try everything. School can be—is—so much more than your core classes. From electives to clubs to sports to the arts, Briarcliff is such a rich community, just waiting for you to dive in. There is no harm in trying something, and you never know, you might just fall in love with it.
CD: Take the time freshman year to surround yourself with great people and find things that you love to do because they can make your life a lot more meaningful.
AW: Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there! High school is such a great time to discover the things you’re passionate about, seek out novel experiences and meet people who brighten up your life.
Q: If you could meet a famous person – living or dead – who would it be and what would you want to talk with them about?
NR: I’d talk with Neil deGrasse Tyson. There has always been something fascinating to me about science communication, the art of taking high level science and turning it into something understandable for the average person. I’d love to learn how he walks the line of accuracy and comprehensibility and discuss his insights into the blurred lines of science and the humanities, if it even exists.
CD: LeBron James. I’d ask if he actually knew Kobe was going to drop 80 that night and what his favorite saying is.
AW: Alysa Liu. It’s so fun watching her skate because you can really tell that she has such joy and passion for the sport. I would just want to chat with her like friends.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
NR: “The arc of the moral universe bends toward justice.” – MLK Jr.
CD: “Together” – 2025 Briarcliff Varsity Soccer. “Together” was our team’s motto for this season and we tried to embody that every day both on and off the field.
AW: “No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song, because it’s all good.” – Pete the Cat
