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06/29/2023 07:51 AMThis fall, Alexander Shadman, the multi-talented valedictorian of the North Branford High School (NBHS) Class of 2023, heads off to begin his studies at Yale University.
If you asked Alexander this time last year where he would be attending college, he’d say he was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his sister, NBHS Class of 2021 valedictorian Caroline Shadman, by furthering his studies at UConn.
“I was intending to follow Caroline’s path to UConn because it was something I grew to love, and I had met so many professors there,” says Alexander. “But a lot of the people around me suggested that I apply to Yale. After I was accepted, I did a lot more research and visited, and then it became evident that this was where I belonged.”
During his time with North Branford Public Schools, Alexander excelled in many academic areas and fostered his talents in theatre and music. He’s looking forward to becoming a member of Yale’s storied theatre program.
“Theatre is my intended path, and my plan is to major in theatre at Yale. But what’s great about their program is that you don’t have to commit to a program until the end of your sophomore year,” says Alexander.
As an awarding-winning student jazz saxophonist and soloist (alto and soprano sax), Alexander’s also anticipating finding ways to continue his musicianship at Yale.
“It’s going to have to take a bit of a step back, just so I can put theatre as my main focus,” he says. “But I’m going to be auditioning for the Yale Concert Band. So I’m going to keep saxophone as a part of my life, as well.”
Choosing to pursue theatre over other interests at Yale hasn’t been a difficult decision as yet, he adds.
“Theatre’s probably the most consistent thing in my life since middle school.”
Alexander counts seven years of acting in theatre productions, including leading roles with North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS) as Harold Hill in The Music Man and Horton in Seussical, and at NBHS, as Davey in Newsies and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. To further his theatre experiences, Alexander also served as NBIS assistant director, providing acting support and assisting the technical director with lighting.
Among his high school musicianship endeavors, Alexander was a key member of the East Haven High School/NBHS Co-op competition band, including leading the band as drum major. For the uninitiated, drum major is a pretty theatrical role, and with Alexander, that was especially evident.
“We got a new director two years ago, and he takes more of a theatrical approach with our themes. So at some points, I doing a little bit of conducting as the drum major, but I was also doing a little acting on the field, as well,” he says.
Alexander also performed with NBHS Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and Wind Ensemble.
Among his academic pursuits at NBHS, Alexander completed multiple advanced placement (AP) courses: AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Environmental Science, AP Language and Composition, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, and AP Psychology. Alexander says the AP experiences provided him with “...a very appropriate challenge.”
“I always enjoy challenges, and I feel like I need challenges to reach where I want to reach. I think both the academic experience and just the learning experience in general is so rewarding with AP classes,” he says.
Alexander also completed three dual-enrollment college introductory courses (UConn and SCSU).
In his NBHS leadership roles, Alexander served as vice president of the Spanish Honor Society, secretary of the National Honor Society, senior editor of the NBHS Kaleidoscope (literary magazine) Club, and vice president of the NBHS Drama Club.
Recognition of many of Alexander’s academic awards decorated his gown as medals and cords on graduation day, but there were many others, as well. In his senior year at NBHS, Alexander earned the Seal of Biliteracy, President’s Education Award, New Haven Register Spotlight Award, Excellence in Music Scholarship, United States Marine Corps Scholarship Excellence Award, Yale Club of New Haven Scholarship Award, Shoreline Arts Alliance Director’s Scholarship Award for Creative Writing and Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.
Additionally, in his junior year, Alexander was the Yale Club of New Haven Book Award Recipient, earned the NBHS English Department Book Award, and was named Shoreline Outstanding Junior in Mathematics.
For his musicianship, he was selected for the CT Music Educators Association Southern Region High School Music Festival in grades 10 through 12. Alexander also earned the John Philip Sousa Band Award for outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music.
Alexander says he feels North Branford schools prepared him well throughout his academic experience and for his next chapter at Yale. As a community member, Alexander also contributed his time as a regular volunteer with North Branford Food Pantry, stocking shelves and assisting customers with shopping.
“It was an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience for me that truly taught me the importance of volunteer work and giving back to the community,” he says.
Alexander says NBHS offers students a wealth of support to help them achieve their personal best.
“I think it’s due to the administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors who really take a one-on-one approach with people. For me, my guidance counselor, in particular, Mrs. [Abigail] DeTour, really helped with my experience. She was really helpful in balancing what I wanted and what would help me in reaching my goals.”
Asked what advice he has for those striving to become future high school valedictorians, Alexander says that, for him, it came down to “...focus, education, and being accountable for yourself.”
As a member of the Yale University Class of 2027, he knows the rank of valedictorian is likely applied to a large percentage of the group. Alexander says he’s excited to continue to strive to achieve his best while working in an atmosphere steeped in the principles of academic excellence.
“Even though my experience in North Branford is definitely going to be different than Yale, a lot of my very close friends in high school were my competitors,” says Alexander. “Knowing that helped me to keep pushing forward to be at the top. So that made it a really great environment for pushing myself academically.”