June Criscione and Hilly Adler are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of this year’s senior class. They’re both headed to Harvard in the fall, they’re both National Merit Scholars, and above all else, they’re both examples of the excellence of which the Falcons are capable.

Yet beyond their commendable achievements, June and Hilly are really just like any other teenager. Both are passionate about music, June as a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra, Hilly as a songwriter, and both as members of the Albany High music department. In her spare time, June enjoys writing; in his, Hilly enjoys sports such as basketball and tennis. In these respects, June and Hilly are as easy to relate to as any other Albany High student.

In deciding on Harvard, however, June and Hilly took two very different paths. June applied to sixteen schools and ultimately decided on Harvard; Hilly had his sights on Harvard all along and applied through early action. They also challenged themselves academically in different ways. In her last two years of high school, June completed the rigorous IB Diploma Programme.

“I had heard about IB from my parents,” said June, “and when I was in tenth grade I had a lot of friends who were IB seniors. I thought the Programme would help prepare me for college and that I was up to the challenge.”

Albany High, of course, offers options for academic success beyond the IB Programme. Hilly, for instance, opted for an AP-laden schedule.

“I felt that the AP program offered me more freedom in terms of classes and electives such as music,” Hilly said. “I had taken AP classes in past and I really liked the feel of the program.”

Despite their different paths, June and Hilly have reached a common endpoint in Harvard. In doing so, they have demonstrated the variety of routes by which Falcons can attain immeasurable success.

June and Hilly both expressed their ambitions for when they start school in the fall. June plans on studying biology and is interested in entering the premed field. Hilly is keeping an open mind in terms of majors, noting that he particularly enjoys math.

Both students acknowledged the unique opportunities and experiences Albany High presents. June lauded the school’s diversity and various viewpoints, saying that these are advantages “you can’t get from a book.” Hilly expressed similar sentiments, particularly in reference to the school’s sense of community.

When asked if they could give any advice to their fellow Falcons, June and Hilly both had a lot to say. June took the opportunity to implore students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them.

“Try as many hard classes as you can,” June said. “Get involved in extracurricular activities. There’s always someone behind you.” She then went on to describe the IB office, which she referred to as a “hub” for students of all sorts.

“It’s important to enjoy everything,” said Hilly, adding his two cents. “Take the chance to make connections with your teachers. And understand that there’s so much more about Albany High that isn’t always touched upon.”

Indeed, June and Hilly are only two of a plethora of outstanding seniors, and the senior class is only a portion of Albany High School as a whole. We have Falcon scholars, Falcon athletes, Falcon musicians, and so much more. And above even that, we as Falcons are a community like no other. Every student has someone to whom he can turn when he needs it. That is what being a Falcon is truly about.

June and Hilly have had amazing high school careers in their own right. And they’re only two examples of the excellence coming out of Albany High School. We wish June and Hilly, along with all of the graduating seniors, the best of luck moving forward—because you can’t hide that Falcon Pride, even at Harvard.