Daisy Matus prepares for the future as Webutuck’s valedictorian for 2021

WEBUTUCK — With the traditional graduation theme of “Pomp and Circumstance” resonating in her classmates’ ears and a promising future shining brightly ahead of them, Daisy Matus will soon be leading the North East (Webutuck) Central School District’s graduating Class of 2021 into the future as its valedictorian.

From her kindergarten days to her final year of high school, Daisy has been a Webutuck Warrior throughout the entirety of her academic career. During that time, she has strived to participate as much as she could in the district’s available activities and extracurriculars. Along with serving as vice president of her class for the last four years, she has been involved with Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Junior National Honor Society, Yearbook Club and Student Council.

Reflecting on what she likes best about Webutuck, Daisy was quick to compliment the school’s small size, counting between 50 to 53 students enrolled in her class alone.

“Having a small class allows students to be able to connect with each other more personally,” she said. “The relationships, I think, are a little bit stronger as well as the relationships with the teachers.”

In terms of what could be improved at Webutuck, Daisy brought up the number of opportunities currently available for students apart from sports and the district’s existing clubs. 

For future classes, she recommended the district have more activities to allow students to venture out and experiment with what they like and don’t like and to help them gain more skills.

When asked about the skills she has gained during her time at Webutuck, Daisy said she believes she’s learned leadership skills from being involved in the different clubs and activities as well as responsibility and the ability to work with a team. 

When asked about her accomplishments, she became immediately humble.

 “I don’t think of myself as being very accomplished yet — I took AP classes and honors classes and I’m currently taking classes with Dutchess Community College and doing these activities,” she said. “I guess that’s one accomplishment — being able to balance schoolwork, activities and my personal life.”

Following her graduation from Webutuck on Friday, June 25, Daisy will continue her studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, where she plans to major in biomedical engineering. Looking to the future, she said she’d like to become an expert in her field, assume a position of leadership and be a part of a team that creates new and improved technologies and medical equipment.

To the future generations of Webutuck students, Daisy has advised that they make connections with and talk to the teachers.

“They can help a lot and it doesn’t have to be schoolwork — it can be other things as well,” she said.