Being an ‘artsy valedictorian’ is right on for this DHS grad

Madeline Taliancich
Madeline Taliancich

Read Dr. Seuss to inspire her classmates at graduation

Madeline “Maddie” Taliancich is happiest on the stage, which made her appearance as valedictorian of Destrehan High School’s Class of 2018 particularly a special one.

In her comments to her classmates, Taliancich quoted Dr. Seuss’ book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

It was fun and reminiscent of her close relationship with her teachers, particularly Leigh Baltazar who quoted the book to her in class, and her love of DHS where she found her place to go.

“I really, really enjoyed DHS,” she said. “As much as I was ready for college, I really appreciated finding friends and what I wanted to do. DHS gave me a lot of opportunities and my theater teachers were so influential. I’m never going to forget my high school experience.”

Taliancich, 18, said it helped her define her life.

“I’m an artsy person 100 percent,” she said.

Since six years old, Taliancich has been involved in theatrical productions in some way. She’s acted in 26 of them, as well as directed the fall musical at DHS and was recently in a professional production at Rivertown Theater. She’s been commissioned to paint sets for musicals for the last four years.

Taliancich readily concedes it may seem a bit different to have an “artsy” valedictorian, but she said her efforts to earn the honor are rooted in the very beginning of her school career – literally.

“It’s actually been something I’ve been working on since first grade,” she said. “I got this little valedictorian certificate and, since then, I’ve stayed focused on that being something I want to do.”

It wasn’t child’s play, though.

Taliancich said there was plenty of hard work and lots of sleepless nights, but it finally came to fruition.

“It just really helps I love learning and school,” she said of her accomplishment.

Taliancich said it could have been a choice of settling for low As and Bs, but she couldn’t take anything less than that perfect A.

“I like the 100,” she said.

By high school, she had set her path on being head of her class. And like the long distance runner, she set her sights and hit her stride.

“It’s going to be one of those things you have to start trying for in your freshman year of high school,” Taliancich said. “The classes get harder. It’s really tough, especially in the honors program. If you don’t try in your easier classes, it’s never going to work in the harder classes.” [pullquote]“I know I’m not your typical valedictorian.” – Madeline Taliancich[/pullquote]

Additionally, Taliancich was in National Honor Society (philanthropy chair), Drama Club (president), International Thespian Society (troupe president), Beta Club (sophomore points secretary), choir, Wildcat Mentors, National English Honor Society, Earth Club and Student Council.

“My freshman and sophomore years I had a YouTube channel where my best friend and I reviewed books,” she said. “It gained 2,000+ subscribers. Since then, my postings have fallen to the wayside because of schoolwork, but I’m thinking about starting it up again when I get the chance.”

Throughout all these activities, she did theater as much as possible.

For those aspiring valedictorians, Taliancich added it’s all about the classes by senior year, as well as preparing for college.

“It’s that transition year,” she said. “Senior year is when life really hits and many are focusing on the future while trying to maintain ourselves in the present.”

She has committed to attending Loyola University in New Orleans as a theater major.

“I know I’m not your typical valedictorian, but I thought about it and realized theater is that one thing that totally makes me happy,” Taliancich said. “When college apps came due, I knew what I wanted and considered Loyola the perfect place to do it. It has a wonderful theater program.”

 

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