High School Valedictorian to College Freshman
November 17, 2020 10:00 AM | Cross Country
Morgantown, W. Va. - High school valedictorian and cross country and track and field athlete, Petal Palmer, did not let the COVID-19 pandemic stop her from sharing her speech at her high school graduation.
The Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, native was looking forward to graduating with all her peers in June. Little did they know that their high school graduation would be postponed to the following October and held virtually.
Palmer was excited to be able to virtually present her valedictorian speech to her 2020 graduating class.
"It is nice to be able to have a graduation and still be able to read my valedictorian speech rather than having nothing at all since school ended so abruptly," Palmer said.
Palmer attended St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy where she was named valediction of her 2020 class with a 94% grade average. She served as captain of her high school track and field and cross country teams and also was named high school athlete of the year.
"It feels pretty good to have a graduation because I didn't think I would be able to give my speech considering everyone else is still at home in Canada, and I am here in the States," Palmer said. "It is nice to actually be a part of it and contribute to it. I still feel like I am part of the community."
Although it has not been easy being a freshman during the pandemic, the exercise physiology major has tried to make the best of it.
"It is a little weird starting school in the middle of a pandemic," Palmer said. "I feel like I have adjusted really well because my teammates are really great, and they have made adjusting a lot easier. All the coaches have been helping too.
"I have been trying to do whatever I can to get involved. We have team meetings, and recently we carved pumpkins. Just doing things like that has been fun. I enjoy being able to interact with the girls on the team."
Palmer made her debut as a Mountaineer this shortened fall season at the University of Pittsburgh, placing 10th with a time of 19:48.2. She then went on to compete at the Big 12 Championship where she placed 45th with a time of 22:38.2.
She is looking forward to the upcoming outdoor track season and is not letting the pandemic get in her way.
The Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, native was looking forward to graduating with all her peers in June. Little did they know that their high school graduation would be postponed to the following October and held virtually.
Palmer was excited to be able to virtually present her valedictorian speech to her 2020 graduating class.
"It is nice to be able to have a graduation and still be able to read my valedictorian speech rather than having nothing at all since school ended so abruptly," Palmer said.
Palmer attended St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy where she was named valediction of her 2020 class with a 94% grade average. She served as captain of her high school track and field and cross country teams and also was named high school athlete of the year.
"It feels pretty good to have a graduation because I didn't think I would be able to give my speech considering everyone else is still at home in Canada, and I am here in the States," Palmer said. "It is nice to actually be a part of it and contribute to it. I still feel like I am part of the community."
Although it has not been easy being a freshman during the pandemic, the exercise physiology major has tried to make the best of it.
"It is a little weird starting school in the middle of a pandemic," Palmer said. "I feel like I have adjusted really well because my teammates are really great, and they have made adjusting a lot easier. All the coaches have been helping too.
"I have been trying to do whatever I can to get involved. We have team meetings, and recently we carved pumpkins. Just doing things like that has been fun. I enjoy being able to interact with the girls on the team."
Palmer made her debut as a Mountaineer this shortened fall season at the University of Pittsburgh, placing 10th with a time of 19:48.2. She then went on to compete at the Big 12 Championship where she placed 45th with a time of 22:38.2.
She is looking forward to the upcoming outdoor track season and is not letting the pandemic get in her way.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
Jack Bicknell Jr. | Aug. 7
Thursday, August 07
Sean Cleary/Ceili McCabe | Nov. 19
Tuesday, November 19
XC: Ceili McCabe Big 12 Championship Post-Race Interview
Friday, November 01
Petal Palmer - 2024 Wilma Rudolph Award Recipient
Monday, June 10
