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Shelbyville's unconventional valedictorian headed to Pomona College to study Neuroscience

Stefanie Howard does not see herself as a traditional valedictorian.

The top-ranked student from Shelbyville High School’s Class of 2022 did not achieve all A’s in middle school, does not have a family history of attending college, and is very passionate about helping people.

“I was not a very good student. I was the kid that got Bs and Cs in middle school and elementary school,” explained Howard, the daughter of Robert Howard and Scarlem Rodriguez. “I don’t know what happened. Once I got my second semester report card my freshman year that said I was fourth in my class is when it clicked.

“I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I try to be really chill about grades but the valedictorian thing was such an amazing success for my family. It became so much more important to me when I realized I’m a first generation (college) student, neither of my parents went to college. There is only one person in my extended family that went to college and no one has ever been valedictorian. It is an immense honor to do something like this. It became more about my family and inspiring other people that don’t think they are good enough, because you can still do it.”

Howard will follow her own graduation speech advice about embracing vulnerability by attending Pomona College in Claremont, California, to study Neuroscience.

“I cannot wait to go to California and immerse myself in the different culture,” she said. “I am excited to be in a completely different place where I can learn a ton of things.”

 

 

A successful cross country and track and field athlete at Shelbyville, she will continue her distance running career at Pomona, competing with the track and field program as a freshman and pursuing a cross country roster spot as a sophomore with Pomona’s nationally-ranked squad.

Through the Questbridge program that pairs high-ability students with colleges and universities across the country, Howard was linked with Pomona College.

“I literally didn’t know anything about Pomona but I heard it was a great school,” she said.

Howard thoroughly researched the college and talked with students before making her decision, turning down numerous other opportunities. The first time she arrives in California will be the first time she has been west of her home state.

“My parents are really hesitant (about me moving to California). I haven’t made any progress on my dad,” she said. “I live with my mom and I have shown her videos and she is excited for me and learning more about the school.”

Leaving home also means leaving behind her sister, who served as the student manager for Shelbyville’s cross country and track and field teams and an 8-month-old half-sister that is “so awesome.”

While Howard has never been west of the mighty Wabash River, she did travel east on a school-approved overseas trip to Italy and Spain in March.

 

 

While in Italy, Howard (photo above) was able to take a short run at the former site of the Circus Maximus.

“I ran in the streets of Rome and then I ran at the Circus Maximus in ancient Ostia,” she said. “It was so surreal. I have never had so much fun while running. We were so busy so I could only run for like 20 minutes. I think the most I ran was like 35 minutes in Ostia. Every single moment, I was like this is so crazy.”

While the ancient arena no longer stands in Ostia, the history of the place was not lost on Howard, who took Latin classes in high school.

“Running in Circus Maximus, I was imagining the chariot events,” she said. “They have excavated to the level where the Circus Maximus originally was. So it was like the real thing, it was not like you were running on a grass mound of all the sediment that has washed on top of it from the previous ruins. The spina is still there. It was absolutely crazy. I had so much fun.”

With her valedictorian status, Howard has obtained scholarships to help pay for her Pomona education. In early May, she learned she was one of 12 student-athletes in Indiana to receive the 2022 IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship.

The $2,500 scholarship was presented to “well-rounded, positive role models who have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship, and citizenship.”

Howard has about eight weeks left until she treks west. The phrase “wasting time” is not in her vocabulary. She can be found working at McDonald’s, doing volunteer work or just running to stay in shape.

“I like working. I need that structure,” said Howard. “Working every day provides me that. I like the routine of it.

“I’m running a lot and trying to contribute to the community. Summer is easy to take a couple of months off and not do anything to help other people. That is not my plan at all. I feel like if I’m not helping other people then I am wasting so many moments.”

(This is the eighth in a 10-part series highlighting the Class of 2022 valedictorians and salutatorians from the five Shelby County high schools.)

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