Woodlands Valedictorian Leo Llorente Valin Counts on Never Counting Himself Out
Woodlands High School Valedictorian Leo Llorente Valin has a way about him that some might describe as quiet confidence. When asked about his accomplishments during his high school career, Leo’s response is both genuine and reserved. “I think I did pretty well,” he said. Earning the coveted distinction of Valedictorian as an IB Diploma Programme student is no easy feat, and Leo’s modesty reflects his ability to keep grounded, stay positive, and take it all in stride. For Leo, the idea of competition has less to do with others and more with himself.
Personal achievements are often the result of a supportive environment, and Leo’s self-possessed awareness is evident when he speaks about the influences that have contributed to his success. “I credit Mr. Holland for helping me adjust to the academic rigor of high school, especially in my IB and AP classes,” he said. In recognition of the support from his history teacher, last year Leo nominated Mr. Holland for New York State History Teacher of the Year - which he won. For his part, Leo attributes his accomplishments to working hard and continually deepening his understanding.
If he had to choose a favorite subject, the life-long student of Greenburgh Central School District would choose IB DP HL Math with Mr. Fisher. “Mr. Fisher understands when students are having difficulty with the material and jumps right in to find solutions," said Leo. “With math, sometimes people will count themselves out and say they’re not good at it. Instead of getting discouraged, I just tried harder. I don’t want to count myself out just because I don’t get it right the first time.” Mr. Fisher echoed his student's self-reflection. “Leo is very focused and a hard worker,” he said. “He recognizes that sometimes you can't get it on the first try, so he perseveres in understanding the process behind problem-solving. Leo is a great example of a student who knows what it takes to be successful.”
Leo has been a Mandarin World Language student since the seventh grade. To quantify his level of proficiency, he describes it this way: “If I were dropped in China, I would be able to survive.” Outside of the classroom, Leo is also a member of the WMHS Mandarin Heritage Club and was featured as the Lion in last year’s Lunar New Year Celebration. Other interests include sports, photography, and playing the trombone. Leo is an IB Music student and a member of the Woodlands High School Jazz Band. “Working on a piece of music that we’ve never seen before and to see it come together in a fully-fledged performance is fulfilling,” said Leo. “It’s great to work together as musicians to accomplish that.”
Synergy seems to be a prevalent theme in Leo’s life both inside and outside of school. “My parents always encouraged me to do my best. I learned that if I could do it, why not try,” he said. “The friends that I have had since Highview and Richard J. Bailey also pushed me to do better. Between my friends and the faculty, it feels like we are one big family.”
Leo’s vision for life after Woodlands High School includes college and possibly pursuing a career in civil engineering, which would fit perfectly in what might be the common denominator in Leo’s journey - the understanding of principles and concepts and the ability to bring them together to solve real-world problems.