"Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you"
- Taylor Swift

Victoria Pecirep

Third in the Class of 2024
GPA: 4.37
Attending Sacred Heart University
Major: Business Administration

"Victoria Pecirep is a smart, strong, and soon to be very successful young woman."
- Stephen Wojtowicz, dhs science teacher

High school accomplishments

The last four years of high school, Victoria has taken multiple AP courses and excelled in these classes. She is a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Spanish Club, Valley SURGE, Student Council and Mock Trial. Alongside all of this, Victoria continuously keeps up with the honor roll.

"Her quiet demeanor yet thoughtful and pointed responses in class only made for a better day."
- stephen Wojtowicz, dhs science teacher

The high school experience

There was nothing more that Victoria enjoyed more than being able to participate in Derby High School's spirit weeks. She always took pride in her participation whether that be at pep rallies or football games and expressed this excitement through her outfits or alongside her friends. She expressed how proud she is of herself for being able to stay in a good academic standing all throughout high school even though it may have been rough for her at times."I have spent countless weekends and late nights writing essays and working on projects. Many tears have been shed about bad grades that don’t really matter. My rigorous courses have led to entire weekends spent only working on classwork for my AP classes, so getting to this point has made me extremely proud because it means my hard work paid off."

"There is no doubt in my mind Victoria will succeed in whatever she decides to do."
- stephen Wojtowicz, dhs science teacher

Taking the next step

After high school, Victoria will be attending University of Rhode Island or Quinnipiac to major in business. Although not entirely sure yet, Victoria plans on pursuing a career in either human resources or marketing management while getting her real estate license so she can have another career as a real estate agent available to her. Victoria communicated how she's looking forward to leaving high school to attend university, but nervous for what's to come."Leaving high school and starting a new chapter is exciting and nerve-racking. It’s exciting because soon I will be exploring a new place, with new people, and new opportunities. Change can be a great thing, so that makes me excited. On the other hand, Derby has been my life for as long as I can remember. My first day of school started at Bradley with some of my best friends to this day, and I’m ending high school with them. Derby is my comfort and it will be hard to leave. Not only will I be leaving my hometown behind, but I will be leaving my friends for over a decade behind. I will be moving to a new place where I know no one, which does make me really nervous, but I’m trying to make myself excited and not nervous."

Advice for underclassmen striving for top 10

Wording her input perfectly, here is what Victoria had to say for underclassmen wanting to aim for top 10 of their class:"My advice would literally be to do your work. At the end of the day, don’t stress about that one test, as long as you have consistently handed in work, your grade will not be affected. Take those notes, and read the AP textbook, you can only breeze through things for so long. Although tedious, your notes help you excel, and reading is the only way to actually learn what is being taught. Lastly, whatever you do, don’t take a full schedule of AP classes, you will think you can handle it, but once you get to midterms, you’ll want to pull your hair out. Do your work, and don’t stress about it. High school should be some of the best years of your life."