A member of the RHS graduating class of 2016, Valerie Perna is currently a freshman nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh. Among other things, Valerie has become a member of the executive board of the SECCS (Students Engaging in Conversations about Consent and Sexuality) club. Her engagement with Teen PEP while she was a student at Robbinsville High School led her to become an active member and facilitator of this club. Valerie has also joined the Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority. This experience is teaching her about the importance of friendship and the concept of service on a whole new level.  

When asked about what she likes best about Robbinsville, Valerie notes that “the best part of Robbinsville has always been the sense of unity throughout the township. Through every tragedy, victory, day, we've all stuck with it together. Living in Robbinsville is almost like being a part of a sports team. Everyone unites despite cultural, ethnic, or moral differences.” 

On a side note, Valerie has become very passionate about animal agriculture leading her to become a vegetarian. In her “down time,” she spends her summer months life guarding full-time in Pennsylvania. When considering what her future might look like, Valerie draws on her past experience with Teen PEP and current involvement with SECCS, and is leaning toward specializing in midwifery or women's health. 

Her advice for students preparing to graduate is simple and to the point. “Stay involved. Even though this is your senior year, don't cut back on your work or slack (too much). You've all worked tirelessly for three years.  Don’t throw away your GPA for a severe case of "senioritis".  We couldn’t agree more!