Carrissa Whitehead leads graduates into the future

WEBUTUCK — Before saying her final goodbye to the North East (Webutuck) Central School District, Webutuck High School (WHS) valedictorian Carrissa Whitehead will first lead the Class of 2022 to graduation.

From the age of 5, Carrissa, now 18, has been a longtime student in the district, going above and beyond to make the most of her experience, seizing every opportunity offered to her.

She’s led the Webutuck Class of 2022 as its president since eighth grade and has been involved in the Student Council since seventh grade. She became vice president of Student Council in her sophomore year at WHS, then as president in her junior and senior years. After partaking in the Junior National Honor Society, Carrissa’s been part of the National Honor Society since her junior year.

On the athletic field, Carrissa’s engaged in track and field since seventh grade; varsity field hockey and basketball from seventh to 10th grade; and varsity golf in her senior year. In her first two years as a Warrior, she was named captain of the junior varsity basketball team.

Reflecting on her extracurriculars, Carrissa was just as involved in the local community as at school. Since 2011, she’s participated in the Northern Dutchess Dairy 4-H Club, and has been a part of the Climate Smart Task Force for the town of North East since 2021.

She has also participated with the Millerton American Legion Post #178, and had the honor of participating in its Empire Girls State program the summer before senior year. Carrissa was even a nominee for Girls Nation.

Reflecting on her time at Webutuck, this stellar student said she’s seen how much impact a great teacher can have on a student. Among her teachers, she was especially appreciative for the encouragement she’s received from her geometry teacher, Robert Reid.

“I think one of the best experiences in life is having encouragement,” Carrissa said. “I’m honored to be a student and soon a graduate of the school that has always supported me. At Webutuck, I gained so much knowledge and leadership skills that I’m going to use throughout my life. Webutuck has given me lifelong friends and connections.”

Come this fall, Carrissa will be attending the Ivy Leagues, going to Columbia University in New York City as a mathematics major.

Further down the road, she said she’ll be working toward her PhD with a goal of becoming a mathematics professor.

To Webutuck’s future students, Carrissa advises they take full advantage of all opportunities presented to them, push their limits, venture outside their comfort zones, spread kindness to everyone and, most importantly, be themselves.

“These are five actions that can not only enrich your experiences, but your life,” she said. “Make the most of the experience because one action can change your whole perspective of it, and overall, your environment is what you make of it.”

Justin Carman

As the 2022 salutatorian for WHS, Justin Carmen declined to be interviewed.

Graduation details

The Graduation Ceremony for Webutuck’s Class of 2022 will be held behind the high school building on Friday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m.