Town of Webb senior, Samantha Notley, 17, has lived in Old Forge her whole life.
In the fall, she is planning to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, to study Civil Engineering.
Samantha developed a special attraction for RPI, she said, when she went to visit her older brother, Mike, who had been attending school there. She fell in love with the area and the campus, she said.
“Everyone was really friendly; not just at the school, the community, too,” she said.
Samantha was named Valedictorian of the Town of Webb’s Class of 2014.
She said her favorite classes are Calculus, with Mr. Huntress, and Advanced Placement Government, with Mr. Tim Leach.
“I really like Calculus and have had Mr. Huntress as my teacher throughout high school,” she said.
“As for AP Government, I really like Mr. Leach and the way he teaches. He makes material easy to understand,” she said.
Her favorite teacher is Mr. Bradish, who teaches Tech-nology.
“He was the one that helped me decide that I really want to go into engineering. He allows hands-on learning with all kinds of materials,” she said.
Samantha has played soccer, basketball, softball, and this year she participated in cross country running.
She said her favorite is by far, basketball. She was captain of her team this year.
Samantha has been a member of the school band, playing the clarinet, since fifth grade.
“I really miss Mr. Downey,” she mentioned.
This year, she played in the pit band for the musical, “Annie Get Your Gun.”
She thinks she’ll continue playing the clarinet after high school. “I really enjoy playing,” she said.
Samantha is a member of a number of clubs, including Varsity Club, National Honor Society, Big Sisters Club, Key Club, and Student Council.
In January, she was named the Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks’ Student of the Month. In May, she was named its Student of the Year.
Samantha said she plays sports as much as she can. “I really love the outdoors; hiking is one of my favorite things to do,” she said.
Her parents are Mike and Wanda Notley, of Old Forge. Her siblings are Mike, 26, who works for Squarespace in Manhattan; and Amanda, 23, who is working on her doctorate in Physical Therapy at Ithaca Collage.
Samantha said her father has been her biggest influence.
“He’s incredibly hard working. He’s always tried to give me the best life, and always pushed me to succeed in whatever I wanted to do,” she said.
Samantha says she’s going to miss how small Old Forge is and the closenss of the community. “It’s going to be a big change not knowing anyone around me,” she said.
She has a dog, Daisy, that she’s miss a lot. “I wish I could take her with me,” she said.
Columbus Day weekend is one of her favorite times of the year. “I’m going to miss competing for best float and running around the bon fire with all my soccer teammates,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to reuniting next Columbus weekend and playing in the alumni game,” she said.