Drawing her bow masterfully across the strings of her beloved viola, Emma Gruner escapes from her academic prowess, which has earned her the title of the valedictorian of Susquehannock’s class of 2016.

  An only child, Gruner was born in Texas before she moved to this area around the age of three. Although she doesn’t have siblings, Gruner never felt lonely at home with an assortment of dogs and cats. At school, she developed a love for learning at a young age with the influence of the dedicated teachers at Friendship Elementary, where she attended kindergarten through sixth grade.

  “I really liked all the teachers I’ve had going through school. All of my elementary school teachers I have good memories of,” said Gruner. “They were always able to have fun [in the classroom].”

  In high school, Gruner pushed herself academically by taking many Advanced Placement (AP) throughout her four years at Susquehannock. This year only, Gruner is enrolled in five AP courses: physics, literature, environmental science, government and calculus BC. In those classes, Gruner surprised and impressed teachers almost every day.

  Science teacher Greg Brobst, who sees Gruner daily as his senior aid, is impressed with Gruner’s work ethic and academic success.

  “I think Emma’s work ethic is amazing. She works harder than anybody else,” said Brobst. “That’s why… she’s number one.”

  Of course, Gruner’s life doesn’t rise and set in the classroom, and she’s involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. She tutors in the Susky Writing Center, previously worked on the Literary Magazine, senior-aids for Mr. Brobst and plays in the pit orchestra for the musicals, a church orchestra group and an orchestra affiliated with York College.

  Even though Gruner admits she’s not the strongest player in the orchestra, she’s passionate about the art, mainly because of orchestra conductor Zachary Levi.

  “What is special about Emma Gruner? Where do I start?” said Levi. “She is hard-working, helpful, very musically talented [and] always very focused… She’s really a fine leader [and] sets a great example for all the other students.”

  Teachers have been a huge factor in Gruner’s success as she has fond memories of many instructors throughout the year. Specifically, Deb Dominick, a now retired social studies teacher, stands out in Gruner’s mind. Even though the AP U.S. history content was extremely challenging, Dominick taught Gruner and her fellow classmates how to overcome adversity and have success with the material.

  Because of all her hard work and ultimate academic success, Gruner is proud to be named Susquehannock’s valedictorian.

  “Academics has just always been my strong suit, like I haven’t necessarily stood out in any other way,” said Gruner. “I’m glad I have that achievement under my belt, and I can figure things out from there in the future.”

  As her time at Susquehannock and its teachers come to a close, Gruner looks forward to attending Gettysburg College as a chemistry major with a possible undecided science minor.

  After narrowing her choices down to Muhlenberg College, Dickinson College, Haverford College and of course, Gettysburg College, Gruner made her choice after feeling extremely welcome at Gettysburg’s open house.

  Now preparing for graduation, Gruner looks back at her experience at Susquehannock fondly with one piece of advice for underclassmen:

  “Take all the opportunities in high school you can get in academics or elsewhere just because I feel like this is a really supportive environment, and if you want to succeed there are people out there who will be able to help you.”