Harvard-Westlake Names Palisadian Leo Craig Class of 2024 Valedictorian

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Palisadian Leo Craig was named Harvard-Westlake School’s valedictorian, celebrating four years of achievements.

The El Medio Bluffs resident said “it was a complete surprise” that he was chosen as valedictorian.

“It wasn’t something I set out as a goal, but it’s very nice knowing that teachers noticed my effort at school and my interest in their subjects,” Craig said to the Palisadian-Post. “Leaving Harvard-Westlake is very bittersweet—I’m very excited for college but I’m sad to leave a lot of friends, teachers and the community behind. I’ll definitely miss many people in my grade, and I hope to meet up with them again after we graduate.”

Harvard-Westlake is an independent, coeducational and college preparatory school for grades seven through 12.

“Harvard-Westlake strives to be a diverse and inclusive community united by the joyful pursuit of educational excellence, living and learning with integrity, and purpose beyond ourselves,” according to the school.

Craig was selected as valedictorian by the Harvard-Westlake faculty “on the basis of academic achievement and exemplary character,” Charles B. Thornton President and Head of School Richard Commons said.

“Leo Craig is a brilliant academician, who is insatiably curious about the world around him with a probing intellect and a keen interest in problem solving,” Commons said during the Friday, June 7, commencement ceremony. “Leo’s teachers describe him as intellectually vibrant, academically fearless and uniquely perceptive, but Leo’s contributions to our community aren’t contained to the classroom … Leo is fascinated by the study of sustainable transportation, environmental engineering and ecological conservation.”

Commons also went on to commend Craig for being a leader on the cross-country and track teams, a “buzzer-beating” historian on the History Bowl Team, and a “stand-out” trumpet player.

Craig was honored with the Jerry Margolis Jazz Award, given in honor of performing arts teacher Jerry Margolis, “who taught for 36 years beginning at the Harvard School for Boys, to a student who contributed to the jazz program during their time at the school,” according to the school.

“When Dr. Sullivan conferred the Jazz Award on Leo, he also gave him his vote for president in 2044,” Commons said. “I speak for many in wishing we didn’t have to wait that long.”

Commons then introduced Craig to the stage. As valedictorian, Craig was a keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony.

“We’re here today to celebrate the commencement of the Class of 2024, all 289 of us moving into a time of exciting unknowns,” Craig said. “If we stick to a predetermined path that we think will lead to guaranteed success, life’s biggest opportunities might just pass us by. Instead, let’s keep our minds open, and stay true to what’s in our heads and, even more so, our hearts.”

This summer, Craig shared plans of working at a restaurant as a busser until he heads to Yale University in August.

“I’m very excited for college and to see where the future takes me,” Craig said to the Post.