A Proud Member of New Canaan High School's Class of 2011

Who: , 2011 NCHS President

School: New Canaan High School

Achievement: When Harvey rose to deliver her "Message of Welcome" at the NCHS graduation on June 22, she shared with those assembled the theme that she and the other members of student government had agreed on for this year's senior t-shirt at the beginning of their senior year.

After soliciting student input, Harvey explained that they decided a cup of coffee was an apt representation of this class. 

While the connections between students and coffee may seem obvious, she was clear that this comparison went deeper.

They felt that a cup of coffee, a cup of to be specific, represented the diverse interests, personalities and characters of '11. 

As she said in her speech, "what better way to show our class as the perfect blend for that perfect cup....of coffee."

This Patch correspondent wanted to know, was she nervous speaking in front of that crowd at ? 

Harvey said it was the longest and most formal speech she has given. And, while she said the setting was definitely intimidating at first, "once I got up there, and I started talking, it was kind of fun, not nerve wracking," adding that it was, "reassuring that your family and friends and peers were there."

She added that the interests she has pursued during her school years prepared her to give that speech with confidence as well.

In addition to student government, Harvey loves to perform, most especially tap dance. 

She's been studying and performing, "for ten years ... it's just kind of a release for me, it's an art form, different from studying and student government," she said.

It's also something she hopes to continue when she begins the next step in her education at George Washington University this fall.

Key to Awesomeness: Reached while attending the freshman orientation program at GW, Harvey said it's been really reassuring seeing the campus again and learning more about the opportunities available at the DC university.

She said that she knew she wanted a city school, and with her interest in political science, she thought GW would be a good fit.

Her desire to study political science was definitely born out of her student government experiencies.

"I had an interest in student council in middle school," she said, "and when I got to the high school, there were so many activities that the Coalition did, that I wanted to be a part of and organize, it just kind of ballooned."

While attending orientation, she thinks she's honed in on a major that may blend her own interests perfectly: political communication.