This year, as Four Corners Upper School celebrates the class of 2025, they also celebrate the Valedictorian, Alejandro Contador.
Contador is 19 years old and has been at Four Corners Upper School (FCUS) since 9th grade. Contador has a 4.6 weighted GPA, is Vice President of the National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), is Bilingual, has over 100 volunteer hours, and is a National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award recipient.
For Contador, the title of Valedictorian was not something that he had his mind set on until his junior year.
“Valedictorian wasn’t really ever in my mind until we got transcripts my junior year and I saw that I was placed at one. After that, it became much more prominent in my mind mainly because everyone started calling me valedictorian after they found out.”
To Contador, putting in the work during class was always a priority, the title of valedictorian is just a consequence of the effort.
“I’d say I’ve always been someone that focuses on school which is how I was able to achieve the rank of valedictorian even when I first started high school.”
Among the classes Contador took throughout high school, he also took several classes with colleges including Southeastern University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the University of Florida.
“In total, I took 6 dual enrollment classes, 2 AP classes, and 7 AICE classes. Dual enrollment was something to get used to since it was only online and so I had to adapt to a method of learning which I had little experience with, but in the end, I still ended up enjoying my classes and learned something new.”
Contador officially found out about his placement during FCUS’s annual Senior Awards and was ecstatic when hearing the news.
“I felt a crazy surge of adrenaline as even though it wasn’t something that I was aiming for my entire life, it still felt like a really big accomplishment and all I could think about is how proud I made not just myself for my hard work but my family and friends. It’s a moment that’s forever going to be ingrained in my mind honestly.”
Before the Senior Awards Contador was not officially aware of his placement, making him nervous due to competition from other seniors in his class.
“I was nervous that I wasn’t going to get Valedictorian, and I even started shaking when they got closer to announcing the top 3 since I had already built up much hype around it for myself.”
Throughout high school Contador and his classmate, the Salutatorian, Gavin Olsowsky had a bit of a healthy rivalry to see who could claim the number one spot. Contador believes this only pushed him even more.
“I believe we did have a rivalry honestly, and I think that rivalry drove both of us to not only want to keep our grades up but continue being the best versions of ourselves right up until the very end. I’m also very proud of him for getting Salutatorian and being there with me to celebrate that moment as number one and number two.”
With Contador’s placement comes the task of giving a speech at graduation, leaving him with one more chance to make an impact on his classmates.
“I want my speech to create a sense of hope for what’s to come and to make all graduates aware that although the future is uncertain it is something to be very excited for.”
Though Contador credits his hard work in the classroom for getting him the position of valedictorian, he gives a special thank you to his mom for the hard work she has put in over the past 12 years.
“I want to thank my mom mainly as without her none of this would have been possible. She paved the way for me to succeed here and I’m forever thankful for all the hardships she’s gone through for me to get this position.”
As the class of 2025 walks the stage today, Contador leaves a special message for the upcoming senior class.
“Just try to be even better than the last.”
