Erin Welling Named Seneca Salutatorian
The salutatorian of Seneca High School’s Class of 2016 is Erin Welling. A lover of Seneca’s calculus 1 and 2 and wind ensemble classes, she plans to pursue a secondary education degree in electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics.
Next fall, Welling will be pursuing this degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She chose this university not only because she fell in love with the city of Pittsburgh, but also because here she will be able to study in her desired major while also continuing her love of music by participating in the school’s band.
Helping guide her educational success, Welling credits her freshman year biology teacher and long-time family friend, Bonnie Horner, with inspiring her academic career. She notes Horner has always seen her potential and helped to push her in all of her endeavors, academic or otherwise. In addition to Horner, Welling admits others have also largely influenced her recognition as salutatorian.
“My role models are my parents. They have both worked hard to achieve success in their own careers,” Welling said. “Growing up seeing their success and happiness has inspired me to want to be better and establish myself in my own career, and also to create a wonderful, loving family in the future.”
While Welling certainly made time to hit the books during her four years at Seneca, she did not forget to have fun along the way. Recalling her favorite high school memory, she thought back to her days proudly marching out into MetLife Stadium alongside the band during Friday night Lights and during practices — memories she knows she will cherish forever.
“The best advice I could give an incoming freshman would be to take as many opportunities as you can and live with no regrets, because soon enough, high school will be over and you will be moving on,” Welling said.
Describing her work ethic as “organized” and “persistent,” the graduating senior says she likes to see her work through the end. Although high school is by no means the end of her academic career, Welling admits she isn’t entirely sure what she wants to do with her planned college degree, but she knows she wants to engineer a product that will be able to help people.
“I was able to [become salutatorian] while still pursuing my love of music by taking band classes everyday. That means more to me than just receiving this honor,” she said. “To me, happiness and doing what you love is more important than being the best.”
