BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence High School has named the class of 2023 valedictorian ahead of Friday’s commencement ceremony, with the distinction being shared by two students this year: Max Klein and Italy Lewis.
Klein, the son of Brian and Maria Klein finished the school year with a final GPA of 4.419.
During his time at BNL, he participated in Cross Country, Track, Impact Club, Renaissance, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Winter Track, Mr. BNL, Freshman Band, and Symphonic Band.
Looking back on his time at the school, Klein said he most enjoyed the time he spent in Mr. McComb’s Current Events class. He is sad to be leaving the school behind, but looking forward to what the future will hold for him, as he will begin to study Computer Science at Indiana University this fall.
“Graduating is a bittersweet feeling because I am sad that it is over, but I am ready for the future,” he said.
Lewis, the daughter of Allison and Scott Lewis finished at BNL with a final GPA of 4.2.
She will attend Butler University in the fall with plans to double major in international business and accounting with a master’s in business administration. She hopes to use her education there to pursue a career that will allow her to follow her passion and explore the world, either as part of the job or in her spare time.
“My preferred career is a job where I can travel the world or make enough money to do it in my free time because that is my passion in life,” Lewis said.
While at BNL, she was the president of the 2023 class, while also taking part in various extracurricular activities, such as Girls’ Varsity Tennis, Boys’ Basketball Manager, Orchestra (Cellist), National Honors Society, Beta Club, Renaissance Club, Champions Together Club, and Spanish Club.
Her favorite thing about her time in school was the people that she was able to meet and connect with while there.
“When I started BNL my freshmen year, I enjoyed meeting all of the different types of students and becoming friends with different groups of people,” she said. “As I got older and became a senior, I became much closer with the administration and staff and found myself enjoying talking to everyone. I love that there are so many great staff members at BNL that are always so kind and welcoming to students socializing with them and even allowing so many students to eat lunch in their classrooms.”
Lewis said her graduation will be a bittersweet moment, as she will miss those she got to know during her time at BNL and doesn’t anticipate being able to connect with as many people as easily in college.
“Graduating from BNL is definitely a bittersweet feeling because I know I likely will not have those kind of connections as easily in college since it is such a broader and more populated environment. I always hated the trek from the cafeteria to the career center, but I can’t even imagine the walks I’ll be taking in college,” she said. “Although I plan to branch out the same way in college and socialize with everyone I can, I will definitely miss the familiar faces and amazing people that I always knew I could rely on.”
