Bluffton High School's Graduation ceremonies will be on Saturday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the high school gym. As we prepare to see  the BHS Class of 2019 set sail for adventures unknown, the Icon looks to past BHS valedictorians (students who were the top of their class) to inspire this year's graduates and show how experience has shaped those who have gone before them. 

The Icon interviewed Hannah Chappell-Dick, BHS valedictorian of the class of 2012.

What activities were you involved in as a BHS student? Feel free to include all your extra-curricular activities, even if they're from church or other organizations, not just school. 

Orchestra, Show Choir, Marching Band, Church Youth Group, Track & Field, Cross Country, Soccer, Volunteering at the Hospital

What of the above were your favorite(s)? Why was it your favorite?  Are you still doing any part of that activity now?

Track and field has my whole heart! It was the first thing that really challenged me to my core. I wasn't naturally the best person out there at a young age, but I became addicted to that feeling of working hard and seeing results. Eventually this paid off, and I was able to have a great time contributing to the Pirates' All-Ohio relays and run in college. I still compete in track & field on a semi-professional basis, and I volunteer as a track coach at Georgia Tech. I'm sure - God willing - I'll never stop running and loving the sport. It's become such an integral part of who I am and being able to pass that on to the next generation as a coach is a thrilling experience for me. 

I sure hated practicing my instruments, but of course I am grateful to my parents for making me do it. I played violin in church with a friend in April and although I haven't kept up with it like I should, it is quite a gift to be able to make music with friends. I'm still quite involved with the Mennonite Church scene here in Atlanta and attend most weeks. Recently, I went to a regional gathering of Southeastern Mennonite Churches and made some great connections!

What was your least favorite class from high school? 

I wish that I had been more engaged in history class. I felt frustrated by the requirement to take standardized tests on the subject, as if we can standardize human experience. History has the ability to help teenagers think critically about the world that they live in and the events that shaped them, but trying to teach it objectively doesn’t always tell the whole story. 

What achievement(s), if anything, are you most proud of from your high school career? Did you get the academic award for any classes? Were you part of a winning sports team? Did you just survive gym class or did you thrive there? 

I am most proud of being able to help my teammates qualify for state and earn the All-Ohio designation in the 4x2, 4x4, and 4x8 my senior year. I was never a state champion in high school or a national champion in college (though I earned three silver medals along the way), and maybe that's because I was trying to do way too many events, but I wouldn't trade that for the experience of standing on the podium with the girls who you trust and love and struggled with. We ended up placing 4th as a team at state that year.

I won the academic award for shop class - I'm pretty proud of that! I was the only girl and had to endure more than my fair share of the awkward banter of 15-year old boys, but the teacher was always supportive of me and I loved learning how to work with my hands. I don't remember which other academic awards I won, but I was a National Merit Scholar... and I have a memory of Michael Liska and I filming some kind of academic cameo for the local news station where we had to pretend to talk to each other and then look at the camera and smile. Ha!

Oh, I totally just survived gym class. I didn't want to be sweaty or look stupid. Except when we ran the mile: I took my favorite competitor Lucas Harnish ALL THE WAY to the line on that one. We were at least 2 minutes ahead of everyone else, who were mostly just jogging. Actually, I vividly remember my very first mile ever: it was early in 7th grade and I ran 8:35 for about 20 laps around the gym. I was red-faced for the rest of the day! 

Where are you now? Did you go to college, what did you study, what do you do for a living, etc? Married? Kids?

I live in Atlanta. I graduated with a degree in Biology from Eastern Mennonite University. I work at a city planning organization - basically making the Metro-Atlanta region a more livable city for older adults and people with disabilities. I also serve as the volunteer assistant for the Georgia Tech track & field team - a gig that has me in a different state almost every weekend! I am not married and do not have kids.

I've also decided that I will be attending the University of Florida for my MBA this fall. I will also be serving as the volunteer assistant coach with their track & field/cross country team - the defending NCAA DI men's indoor track & field national champions.

What advice do you have for the BHS graduates of 2019? What would you tell your newly-graduated self, as you left the high school building after graduation day?

Oh, easy - you have to go out and explore. Bluffton is an awesome and nurturing place to grow up, but the world has so much to offer! You cannot imagine how different your life will be in 5 years if you gather the courage to step outside your comfort zone. I wish I could tell myself that all the things that embarrassed me or caused me anxiety in high school just don't matter at all. Life gets better. Being an adult is thrilling but it takes courage. You can be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do if you keep an open mind and stay willing to change your mind.

Please note, Chappell-Dick was one of ten valedictorians from the class of 2012.

If you were a BHS valedictorian (or equivalent), the Icon would love to interview you. Please contact [email protected].