Spotlight on: Johnny Xiao
June 2026 Senior Student of the Month
The Student Council decides monthly student and teacher awards with a specific category each month. The category for June 2026 was “academic excellence” for students and “academic role model” for teachers.
The Senior Student of the Month awards go to two seniors per month who are nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-11.
The High School Teacher of the Month award goes to one teacher per month who is nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-12. All Teachers of the Month become eligible to become Teacher of the Year in June.
The June 2026 Senior Students of the Month are Johnny Xiao and Maggie Bray, and the June 2026 High School Teacher of the Month is Hollie Wolanski.
Below is a Q&A with Johnny Xiao, who is also the Herkimer Central School District Class of 2026 valedictorian:
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Q. Which class or subject has challenged or inspired you the most during high school? Why?
A. Calculus inspired me the most because it is the math of the things that change. That’s not just within numbers and patterns – that’s in life. You just have to work around it, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find the answer.
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Q. What is one academic habit, routine or mindset that has helped you stay successful?
A. If you have to do a lot of work in a day, try to shift your environment here and there, finish math homework in your bedroom before going to the kitchen to study science. Try going into the living room to do Spanish before going to the park outside to finish English. I find it helpful for refreshing my brain, and it forces you to take little breaks throughout.
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Q. Who has had the biggest influence on your academic journey, and what impact have they had on you?
A. Definitely my parents, when they were my age, good grades were the only thing that allowed for a person’s economic mobility. They always believed that grades determine how you do for the rest of your life. I like to believe that getting good grades makes them feel better.
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Q. What keeps you motivated when school becomes stressful or overwhelming?
A. I keep telling myself once I finish the work I won’t have to worry about it anymore. You’re not working for the sake of doing work, you’re working to give yourself peace.
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Q. How do you manage your time between school, activities, work, sports or family responsibilities?
A. You simply ask for help. That’s not failure. That’s trying your best.
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Q. What accomplishment during high school are you most proud of academically?
A. Definitely getting into Northeastern. I applied at random, just for the sake of applying to more schools, with no expectations of getting in.
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Q. What advice would you give to underclassmen who want to become strong students and leaders?
A. Just try your best, because if it doesn’t work, at the very least, you know there is nothing else you can do.
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Q. What are your goals or plans after graduation?
A. I am going to major in electrical engineering at Northeastern before getting a law degree for patent law.
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