From the final eight count to the front of the classroom, valedictorian Genevieve Bandanza knows how to set the tempo for the Class of 2026. The only thing more satisfying than her success, is seeing her class perform to the best of their ability. 

“Participating in so many of these different activities with other students in the Class of 2026 has given me the privilege of getting to know many of them,” said Bandanza.

Balancing the hardship of being valedictorian and her role as the dance team captain, one of her biggest challenges was all of the mounting pressure of late night assignments. Her advice for the incoming students is to take as many study halls as possible to stay on track with all of your assignments. 

On those long stressful nights, she never has to face it alone because of her family’s unwavering support.

 “I definitely owe a lot of credit to my family for putting up with my late nights and all the times I would talk about how I didn’t want to finish my homework. My parents are super encouraging and my grandparents are always there for me to talk to whenever I get stressed, so I couldn’t imagine where I’d be without them,” said Bandanza.

For Bandanza, becoming valedictorian was never something she expected to achieve. 

“ I just wanted to give 100% in all of my classes. For anyone with big goals in academics, I would recommend just focusing more on doing your best and asking for all the support you can get, rather than just getting higher grades than everyone else. I also say that you shouldn’t be afraid to fail – you’re going to learn more from making mistakes and there’s always room for improvement,” said Bandanza.

You shouldn’t be afraid to fail – you’re going to learn more from making mistakes and there’s always room for improvement.

Bandanza

Looking back on her four years at Woodland, Bandanza’s only regret from her freshman year was not stepping out of her comfort zone and connecting to all grade levels, not just her own. So she highly advises the incoming freshman to do so, so that they can feel more connected with the school. 

Throughout every stressful moment in the classroom, Genevieve’s lifelong best friend, Emma Bunk, who also happens to be the salutatorian, has been by her side since kindergarten, helping her navigate through struggles and tough decisions. 

“I don’t think I would’ve been able to push myself the same amount without her constant support,” said Bandanza.

Throughout her journey at Woodland, Bandanza has learned to balance her schedule, recognize her growth as a person, and make mature decisions she never thought she would make.

“I hope that these lessons will allow me to create a lifestyle in college that will continue to motivate me and bring me joy,” said Bandanza.

For Bandanza, success is not a reflection of her grade, but it’s the battles she had faced that have shaped her into the person she is today.