The valedictorian of the Class of 2027 doesn’t think of himself as a student first: he’s a performer.

Colin McClintock is many things: valedictorian, tennis player, color guard member, and percussionist. But what makes him stand out isn’t the list of achievements—it’s the philosophy behind it all. The idea that success isn’t about being the best at everything, but about never stopping the desire to learn, grow, and show up for the people around you.

Most people here at Ludlow High School know Colin as a really smart student and person in general. What they might not know is that he has been in band since fourth grade, picked up percussion in seventh, taught himself how to play the piano, and is part of the Tiger Pride Marching Band and Evolution Color Guard.

On top of the already daunting list of activities, Colin also competes for the boys tennis team, is the NHS treasurer for the 2027 class, and participates in Harvard Model Congress. For most people, that list alone would be overwhelming, but for Colin, it’s just another day of the week.

Ask him how he manages it all, and he’ll break it down simply:

“It’s broken up into three periods: school, afterschool, and evenings,” he said. “School is self-explanatory, after school is clubs and sports, and evenings are for out of school activities and social events.” 

It sounds straightforward on paper, but in reality, it takes a level of discipline and dedication most people his age don’t really have yet. Scheduling conflicts is the biggest challenge, and Colin admits they happen more than people think, but he’s learned to work around them, treating each part of his life differently, rather than bulking it together.

Behind the Title

One of the first things Hayden Morin, one of Colin’s close friends, wants people to know about him is that he isn’t what you’d expect. He isn’t just some brainless super nerd (despite his first try 1490 SAT score).

“He doesn’t know what a chrysalis is,” she said laughing. “He’s actually really goofy and funny.” 

Colin is at the top of his class academically, but he’s also the guy cracking jokes with his friends and making the people around him feel better. It’s a side of him many don’t see at first glance, and according to the ones closest to him, it comes through most clearly in moments that truly matter. 

When asked about a moment that really showed who Colin is, Hayden didn’t hesitate:

“When I was going through a hard time, Colin was there to support me,” she said. “Not only did he give me advice, but he also told me to look after myself. He’s very caring and is always looking out for people.”

That kind of personality and character—showing up for people, not just performing well—is a common trait that many around him can vouch for.

Beatrice Chelo, a friend of Colin and a fellow tennis player, has seen that same side of him come through in a different setting. To her, Colin isn’t just someone who excels for himself, but rather someone who actively makes the people around him better.

“Colin is an outstanding role model for anyone around him,” Beatrice said. “He’s not only great at tennis, but he’s a perfect example of a smart, caring, and devoted person. He has inspired and motivated me to be a better person and to always strive for the best.”

Some of what Colin has shared with her has stuck with her far beyond the tennis court:

“A piece of advice that Colin gave me was to never give up,” Beatrice said. “He taught me that even if you’re losing terribly, you can still come back and win—and even if you don’t, having fun is the most important thing to get out of it. This advice has not only stuck with me throughout tennis, but in life as well.”

It’s a lesson that sounds simple but is very easy to forget in the heat of the moment. Beyond that moment, Beatrice says conversations with Colin have changed the way she looks at things altogether. Throughout the year, his words have caused her to look at things from a new perspective—to find something good no matter what happens and to rely on the people who care about you. His positive mindset, she said, has become something that she carries with her.

The Performer 

As previously mentioned, Colin sees himself as a performer. At face value, it’s a surprising answer for someone who has spent years dedicated to his schoolwork.

But, on a deeper level, it makes sense when you hear him talk about band. As a freshman, Colin called it his favorite class, and he threw himself into mastering the pieces they’d be performing on the Legion Field in Palmer during the Ludlow Lions versus Palmer Panthers Thanksgiving Day game.

That enthusiasm hasn’t gone anywhere. For Colin, performing isn’t separate from everything he does—it’s woven into all of it.

The different parts of his life don’t just collide through big scheduling conflicts, however, they also collide in more meaningful ways.

There’s one more moment ahead of him where it will all come together in a way that will mean something bigger. Graduation. The place where his career of being a high school student and performer will come to the same bittersweet end.

When asked what he wants people to understand about him, Colin didn’t talk about grades or awards: he talked about something that drives his everyday life.

“I want people to understand how important a love of learning is,” he said. “It sounds so cliche, but I love learning new things, whether it’s a new lesson in math or a random new skill. I’ve met so many amazing people, made so many memories, and built a life I am so proud of because of my love of learning.”

Colin’s story isn’t about being the most talented person in the room.

You don’t have to be valedictorian or juggle all these different activities like a circus clown. You just have to stay curious, show up for people, and never stop finding things worth caring about.

Whether it’s a cool spinning trick with his plastic rifle, a tennis match, or a math lesson, Colin approaches all of it with the same thing in mind—there’s always something new to gain from it. 

The title of valedictorian will likely follow Colin throughout the rest of his high school career. But, the people who actually know him will remember something else: the friend who showed up when it mattered, or the teammate who never gave up on you.

That’s more than any grade could ever show.