It is that time of year where senior spirit runs high and conversations about senior futures and achievements dominate. At the forefront of these conversations are those who have accomplished much over their high school careers, including this year’s valedictorian, Alison Chen. The Ghostwriter was able to conduct a video interview with Chen recently, asking her 23 questions to honor the class of 2023. Above is the video and below is a transcript.

Q: What was your favorite subject?

A: Definitely math.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher?

A: Mrs. Gartner, who I took BC [Calcucus] with.

Q: What was your hardest class?

A: Probably also [BC Calculus]. There was definitely a huge learning curve at the beginning.

Q: What was your easiest class?

A: For me, I think it was art just because there was a lot of flexibility when it came to doing artwork.

Q: What was your most worthwhile class?

A: Calc or physics.

Q: Where are you going to college and what is your major?

A: I’ll be going to Brown [University] and I’m concentrating in applied math and [economics].

Q: What made you realize this is the perfect college for you?

A: For me, I’ve always been interested in a lot of different things, from STEM to humanities, and Brown has an open curriculum where I’ll be able to sort of dive in to all my interested which is definitely what I wanted.

Q: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

A: Coffee Oreo.

Q: Where is your favorite vacation spot?

A: I really liked Seattle when I went. I was a lot of nature-y things and hiking, which I like.

Q: What is the best book you have read recently?

A: I’ve been re-reading Pride and Prejudice which is one of my favorite books.

Q: What is your biggest hobby?

A: I like to bake in my free time.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: I don’t like people who are slow walkers, but I’ve also been told I’m a fast walker, so I don’t know if that says anything.

Q: What was your favorite school lunch?

A: Honestly, I never really ate school lunch, but maybe the cookies from the snack bar.

Q: If you could spend a day with one person, living or dead, who would they be?

A: Maybe Taylor Swift. I’m a huge Swiftie.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: I really like Anne with an E.

Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?

A: I like Belle a lot, because she likes to read.

Q: Where was your best study spot?

A: I liked to study in my room because I like being by myself and it being quiet.

Q: If you could be famous for anything, what do you want to be known for?

A: Doing something that helps other people.

Q: What is your funniest high school memory?

A: I think this year at the beginning of the year when I was doing cross country, on the bus ride back from DCLs all of the senior girls started crying out of nowhere because we were all so sad that it was our last meet together. Looking back, it was really funny but in the moment I was really sad that cross country was ending.

Q: People think of being valedictorian as being a great achiever. When is a time that you didn’t succeed?

A: When I first came to WA  freshman year I was new, and I didn’t really know anyone so it was definitely hard for me to get more involved in the WA community. I think that that was definitely a learning experience for my next years in high school and to make sure I was putting myself out there.

Q: Do you prefer Dunkin’ or Starbucks? What’s your order?

A: Starbucks. I always get a Strawberry Acai Refresher or a Chai Latte.

Q: If you could have front row tickets to any event what would it be?

A: A Taylor Swift concert.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Working internationally. I lived in Taiwan for three years in middle school so I think I’d definitely want to go and work somewhere outside the U.S. in the future.