Congratulations to Fox Lane’s 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian!

Congratulations to David Matz and Nora Dooley, Fox Lane High School Class of 2026’s valedictorian and salutatorian!

We spoke to David and Nora to learn more about them, their futures and their time spent in BCSD schools.

Valedictorian David Matz

What is your anticipated major and (if you know) where do you plan to be next year?

I have committed to Johns Hopkins University, and I intend to major in chemical and biomolecular engineering. To me, chemistry is the perfect subject to apply to solving problems in the world via engineering because of where it lies in relation to other sciences; it does not pertain to things too small to be readily used at this point in time but is still sufficiently fundamental to inform studies pertaining to larger-scale phenomena such as biology and materials science, thus granting it great versatility and potential.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Writing a scientific paper about the blood protein research I did at Mount Sinai in New York City was extremely significant to me and my academic journey. I would not say that it is the best thing that I have written; in retrospect, my understanding of certain biological processes was incomplete, and there were ways that I could have better supported my conclusions. Yet it was a transformative process, and I am proud of how I let the undertaking change and inspire me. It led to me taking an active role in my learning and teaching myself concepts in biology that I was unfamiliar with. It marked my first time in a laboratory and the start of my exposure to the world of research. And it was pivotal in shaping my aspirations throughout high school and leading me to the research-heavy university that I am committed to now. Without my countless train rides to and from the city and many hours spent writing and rewriting drafts, I may never have discovered the academic passion that propels me now.

What do you think helped you get to this level of academic success?

The most important thing to excelling in anything, academics included, is genuine passion. Naturally, the more you care about something, the more time you will put into it and the easier it will be to do well in it. For me, my proclivity to enjoy most academic subjects, particularly those in STEM, has undeniably been the most important thing for my success in school. It compels me to work hard and develop a strong understanding of what I learn. Not to mention, working closely with what excites one most ensures fulfillment.

Are you involved in any clubs, sports, or community groups?

I try to dedicate as much of my time as I can to my community, particularly my school. I involve myself directly in the affairs of the school as a Class Officer and Vice President of Student Union, support and play bass in music-related organizations as Co-President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Sinfonia and a member of Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, and further my immersion in sciences as President of Robotics Club and a member of Science Olympiad. In this way, I can give back to those who have provided me with so many resources for bettering myself as a thinker while enjoying myself greatly!

Do you have a favorite class? Why is it your favorite?

I have always loved math classes. Each problem is like a little puzzle, and I often find myself completing my math homework first as somewhat of a diversion before getting into the rest of my homework. I suppose that, for this reason, I have enjoyed AP Calculus BC quite a bit this year. Integrals in particular have been a fun challenge, for I enjoy trying to apply the complex rules of derivatives in reverse. Not to mention, math always feels relevant, for it has innumerable intersections in all sorts of sciences.

What is your favorite Fox Lane memory?

Bringing in my homemade baked goods has made for some of the best times throughout my high school experience! Doing so for Tri-M is particularly gratifying due to the scale of it. I love the turning of heads as I carry suspiciously sweet-smelling boxes to my locker in the morning and, most of all, the surprise and joy I get to bring as I unveil my creations! Baking is definitely a craft that I'll always value highly throughout my life!

What are you looking forward to after high school?

What excites me most is all of the new experiences that I'll have in college. In particular, I look forward to meeting people with vastly different perspectives and experiences; I await the untold discoveries that will surely arise from being able to converse with people from all over the world with interests that differ greatly from my own!

Do you have any advice for other students?

Time is the most valuable resource that you have, but it is also the most fleeting, an issue exacerbated in today's world. Reflect on how you use it. If you can't remember what you did at the day's end or feel as though too much time was squandered, I recommend trying to pinpoint what you spend too much time doing and the triggers that draw you to it. From there, try physically removing yourself from these distractions from the very start of the day. Habits pertaining to time only grow more important with age, so it is vital that, even as the school year is winding down, people start making positive changes now if they have these struggles.

 

Salutatorian Nora Dooley

What is your anticipated major and (if you know) where do you plan to be next year?

I will be attending the University of Virginia, and my anticipated major is biology!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

The accomplishment I am most proud of is writing my first research paper for science research during my sophomore and junior year. For my project, I had to learn how to code, which was an entirely new area for me. I couldn’t figure out how to use the coding app my mentor wanted me to use, which led to much frustration. After watching many YouTube videos, having meetings with my mentor, and seeking out the help of other teachers, I finally figured out how to use the coding app. From there, I analyzed my data and wrote an entire research paper on my findings to present at competitions. The amount of time and work I dedicated to this project makes it the accomplishment I am most proud of. At times, I felt like giving up, but I am very proud of myself for sticking with the research and not backing down from the challenge.

What do you think helped you get to this level of academic success?

I think my work ethic and self-motivation are what have helped me get to this level of academic success. Because I am a part of numerous sports teams and extracurricular activities, having a strong work ethic is what has allowed me to stay on top of my schoolwork and excel. Even when presented with challenging assignments, I push myself to complete them to the best of my ability.

I also believe that I would never have been able to make it to this level of academic success without support from my teachers, family, and friends. They have always been there to encourage me through all my pursuits in high school. 

Are you involved in any clubs, sports, or community groups?

I am involved in a bunch of clubs and sports. I have played soccer and basketball at Fox Lane throughout all four years of high school. These two programs both provide such wonderful environments that I have been able to be a part of. I am so grateful for all the friendships that I’ve made from playing sports. In addition to soccer and basketball, this spring I am playing flag football, which I am very excited about!

As for clubs, I am president of Youth in Action Club, which is a community service-focused club. Our goal is to give back to our community in any and every way we can. Projects have included the powderpuff flag football game to raise money for breast cancer awareness, making dinners for homeless shelters, toy drives, creating holiday cards for senior citizens, and more!

Do you have a favorite class and/or teacher? Why is it (or are they) your favorite?

My favorite class would have to be PreCalculus Honors. I definitely learned a ton about myself and was pushed to the limit in that class! Despite the scary name, it was actually one of the classes where I felt most supported and encouraged. That was all because of Mr. Kimmerle, one of my favorite teachers at Fox Lane. He always has a positive attitude and tries to get his students to look on the bright side of things. He knows that the class is mind boggling at times but is proud of everyone regardless of their grade (as long as they try their hardest).

Another one of my favorite teachers is Mrs. Luna, my AP Biology teacher. She is so passionate about teaching science and connects what we learn in class to the real world. I love how she makes learning about biology fun and interesting. Each day, she starts class off by asking us a question related to biology, usually reviewing a concept we learned, and then a fun, non-biology question! 

What is your favorite Fox Lane memory?

My favorite Fox Lane memory was my soccer senior night. Our team consisted of twelve seniors this year, so it was an emotional night for sure. I, for one, was crying the second our underclassmen began reading their speeches. The group of girls on the team is particularly special to me because we have all grown up playing soccer together. Senior night was the capstone of our soccer careers. There was an indescribable feeling that washed over me as I realized this was one of the last games I would be playing with girls I had been playing with for the past nine years. It was definitely an unforgettable night.

What are you looking forward to after high school?

I am looking forward to being in a different environment where a bunch of new adventures await me! I can't wait to take classes in college, meet new people, and just experience life! I’m excited for the opportunities that college has to offer. I’m hoping I will learn more about myself as a person and be able to explore new hobbies and interests! 

Do you have any advice for other students?

I would say to work as hard as you can and take the time to be present in high school. Although everyone says this, time really does fly. Don’t worry so much about the future and try to focus on all the great things happening to you in the moment. I, myself, get saddened each time I think about leaving my friends and going off to college, so cherish each moment you have here! Four years goes by in a blink, so make sure that you are embracing each opportunity that comes your way. There are so many fun experiences in high school, so don’t be afraid to take a chance and try something new.