Meet Shelby High School’s 2022 Valedictorian, Alyssa Deane

The Shelby High School Class of 2022’s Valedictorian is Alyssa Deane, a soft-spoken and charming young woman who has called Shelby home for her entire life. The Shelby Daily Globe had a chance to sit down with her last Thursday and talk favorite memories from Shelby High, favorite people, and what her future might hold.

Aly says her family has been a big inspiration to her throughout her high school career and has encouraged her to do her best. Her father, Bob Deane, just recently retired from the Shelby Fire Department and her mother, Becky Deane, is a teacher at Crestline Middle School. Aly also has an older sister named Kelsey who she looks up to and is very fond of.

There were a few mentors Aly mentioned that helped make her high school experience not only enjoyable but successful as well. She spoke fondly of her favorite teacher, Mr. Gurney who teaches calculous and her tennis coaches Mr. and Mrs. Kurtzman. Aly absolutely lit up when asked about her time with the Shelby

Girls tennis team. She described it as being a positive experience for her. “I loved it because I was really close with that group and there were a lot of us that were seniors. It was pretty great,” she said.

Even though she was attending the Ohio State University branch in Mansfield for most of her senior year, Aly made time to attend SHS events. She loved going to the football games and cheering her classmates on. Aly also made time during her busy senior year to help her tennis team win the MOAC for the 3rd year in a row.

Aly is looking forward to her upcoming college experience. “I hope to meet a lot of people,” she says. “I know college is great for having an open mind and changing your perspective, I hope to grow a lot.” Aly said she feels bittersweet about graduating and going off to college. She is ready to be pushed and challenged but will miss her friends and family in Shelby.

Aly had this to say to incoming Shelby High School freshmen: “Take the time to enjoy it. Get involved. Go to the football games, go to the basketball games, go join a club with your friends because it does go by really quick.”

Before going off to college, Aly is excited to spend time with her family and two brand new puppies this summer. She mentioned being especially excited to spend time with her sister. She will attend Ohio State University in Columbus for Pharmaceutical Sciences this fall.