Harvey valedictorian offers thanks to parents, mentors and teachers

Sara Strnad's valedictory speech  emphasized that for her and her classmates "high school wasn't a solo mission." GABE PALACIO PHOTO

Sara Strnad of Katonah took center stage Thursday, June 4, as the valedictorian at The Harvey School’s 2026 commencement. 

The top scholar of Harvey’s 84-member senior class with a 4.28 GPA, Strnad plans to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall and major in mechanical engineering.

Strnad spoke to her fellow graduates about the importance of recognizing the people in their lives who have guided and supported them, their parents, families, mentors and teachers.

“High school wasn’t a solo mission, and although exciting, college isn’t any easier. However, the loved ones in our lives do not simply disappear when we move out. You are never alone, and those close relationships will grant us courage to face the future,” she said, closing with “Success cannot be defined by anyone but yourself. We, the Class of 2026, are ready for all that is to come.” 

“Sara is a talented, mature student,” Harvey’s Head of Upper School Phil Lazzaro said in May when announcing Strnad as valedictorian. “Through outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to the Harvey community, Sara has exemplified excellence both inside and outside the classroom, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in the future.”

Campus life

In addition to being an outstanding student, Strnad immersed herself in campus life throughout her years at Harvey, schools officials said, serving as the co-president of student government and captain of the varsity volleyball team, and participating in the VEX robotics tournaments where she helped her team win major awards for excellence in design and performance of their robots.

Alexandra Carrozza, the senior associate of Harvey’s office of college counseling, spoke highly of the 2026 valedictorian. 

“Sara is extremely bright, curious, and kind, all while balancing an ambitious course load,” Carrozza said. “She takes her responsibilities seriously as both our student council co-president and as a leader on Harvey’s VEX robotics team. It’s been a delight to have witnessed her hard work pay off as she heads to Notre Dame where she’ll surely leave a similar, lasting mark on their campus as she has ours.”  

Harvey math teacher and robotics director, Chris Kelly, was delighted with the naming of Strnad as this year’s valedictorian. 

“I have known Sara for eight years, and she has always stood out for her intelligence, drive, integrity, and kindness,” Kelly said. “She consistently leads by example through hard work, humility, and respect for others.” 

Praise for Sara

AP chemistry teacher Bruce Osborne also spoke highly of Strnad. 

“Sara possesses excellent quantitative skills, a flexibility of mind to interpret and process some very challenging problem sets, and a remarkable work ethic,” he said.

Osborne described Strnad as a student who “takes a genuine interest in each and every area of study, and derives great pleasure in mastering every facet of a topic.”