Clyde grad 'wouldn't do anything differently'

CLYDE — As a child, Alexia Young wasn't fond of living in Clyde. Clyde High School's co-valedictorian was, however, amused by the 25-foot ice cream cone building that housed the former Twistee Treat ice cream shop on U.S. 20 near Whirlpool. "Over the past few years, however, I've grown to really appreciate growing up here," Young said in her speech during Sunday's graduation ceremony. "This last year of high school has changed my perspective on my life in a small town so much. Isn't it so interesting how we spend so much of our time wishing things were different, not knowing how much we truly value something until it's almost gone?" She continued: "Today, I'm glad to be from Clyde, Ohio," Young said. "After all, who knows where I would be if I wasn't" She left her classmates with this message: "I hope your time here in Clyde, whether it's been a couple months or 18 years, has been as special to you as it was to me." Young was one of three valedictorians in Clyde's Class of 2023. She thanked her family, specifically her parents, for "never putting an ounce of pressure on me to get to where I am today, but still supporting and believing in me and my goals." During high school, Young was involved in National Honor Society, student council, Teen Leadership Corps, Spanish club, ski club, art club, Key club, and the student newspaper, the Race Street Journal. Ski club was one of her favorite extracurricular activities. "It was so much fun," Young said after Sunday's ceremony. "I wanted to try something different my freshmen year, and I ended up doing it all four years of high school." She also enjoyed Teen Leadership Corps: "It's a very involved class. We were able to help a lot of people through that class." Her favorite high school courses were ceramics and advanced studio, two art classes. Young will expand her creativity by studying marketing at Ohio State University this fall. She seeks to combine social media management, graphic design and photography in her future career. "I chose marketing because I thought it would be a good creative outlet," Young said. What's her secret to success? "Hard work, always putting your best foot forward and putting in your best effort." Young credited her family, friends and "all of my teachers" with helping her to be successful. "Everyone really pushed me to be my best self in high school," Young said. Young shared her final thoughts before leaving Clyde High School for the last time. "I had a great time in high school," she said. "I have so many great memories, and I wouldn't do anything differently." _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood