Superintendent’s Spotlight: Danae Boller
Each week, Warwick Valley Central School District Superintendent Dr. David Leach shines the Superintendent’s Spotlight on one of Warwick Valley’s amazing students. Superintendent’s Spotlights feature students who reach goals, face challenges, and are role models to their peers.
Danae Boller was nominated for the Superintendent’s Spotlight, as WVMS Principal Georgianna Diopoulos put it, “because she’s a rock star!”
Danae is making the most of her eighth grade year as she looks ahead to joining her brother next year at the high school. She is enjoying a successful second season with the modified girls’ cross country team, realizing a goal to learn cooking in home and careers, and making an impact in her first year in chorus.
“I just see such maturity in Danae. She’s the kind of young lady who overcomes every challenge she takes on,” said WMVS Georgianna Diopoulos. “She’s an impressive young lady.”
Danae discovered her love of running last year, when she first joined the modified cross country and track & field teams. During the fall season she is a long-distance runner, and competes as a sprinter during the spring season. During a recent Section IX meet, Danae’s perseverance led to her setting a personal best.
“I was trying to get past the girl in front of me, she was so close. She was far away, near the finish,” said Danae. “I had to save energy for the end part, but I just kept running, telling myself, ‘I got this!”
WVMS teacher and cross-country coach Teresa Lindsay said that it is a pleasure to have Danae as part of the Purple Wave Cross Country Team.
“She is a dedicated and hard working young person,” said Coach Lindsay, “with a positive attitude, as well as a supportive and caring teammate!”
Joan Rueckert, who co-coached Danae on the team last year said, “She is always very positive and upbeat. She is always aware of how her teammates are doing and helps to encourage them to do their best.”
Danae said it’s hard to pick a favorite subject because she likes science, math, ELA, social studies, and gym class. This year, she has been having a great time learning to cook in Home and Careers.
“I’ve wanted to cook since I was younger, and I’d seen a lot of kids around the [home and careers] hallway cooking. I was smelling the food,” she said. It’s been as fun and interesting as she’d hoped. “Now, I love cooking, I love mixing. We’ve made muffins, Japanese rice, spaghetti, pizza.”
Danae also got into singing this year and is looking forward to performing with the middle school chorus. Danae is eagerly anticipating her first concert, especially singing music from the Disney film Encanto.
“My mom thought I’d be good at singing, so I thought I would try chorus,” said Danae. “I’m always excited to practice, and I love Mr. Peters.”
“From day one, it was evident that Danae was going to shine in chorus,” said chorus director Shane Peters. “She sings out with confidence, which is such a great example to her peers, and she keeps such a positive attitude. You can’t help but smile when you’re around Danae.”
So, what is Danae looking forward to for the remainder of her final year in middle school? Wrapping up a creative social studies project she’s working on, working in the science lab, the spring track season, and more.
“I’m really looking forward to the chorus trip to Six Flags later this year,” she said, and added that there are some extracurricular clubs she’d like to consider, if she can fit them in with Cross Country and her busy academic schedule. Whatever she chooses, there’s no doubt Danae will go for it with her characteristic enthusiasm.
“I’m so proud of the growth Danae has had here at the middle school,” said Principal Diopoulos. “I cannot wait to see what she does next!”
