Olympic Hopeful Named C.W. Post 1999 Valedictorian
Loretta Schuellein, 21, of Queens Village, New York - a record-holding
racewalker with sights on competing in the 2004 Olympics- has been named
the valedictorian of the Class of 1999 at the C.W. Post Campus of Long
Island University in Brookville, NY.
Schuellein is an English education major with a minor in Spanish who
has a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She will lead C.W. Post's 1,100
graduates on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9 during the 42nd annual commencement
exercises.
An ideal representation of the strength, courage and determination of
the new millennium, Schuellein holds a strong desire to succeed professionally
as well as to nurture every aspect of herself, both mentally and physically.
"As a young adult who has witnessed the great emphasis placed on the
upcoming millennium, I feel that, in some way, I possess the qualities
that can help me overcome the obstacles which are certain to emerge in
the future," said Schuellein.
Among her many goals for the future - which include teaching at the
high school level while continuing her graduate studies at night and eventually
earning a doctoral degree - Schuellein is vying for a spot on the 2004
Olympic track and field team. Currently the New York Federated State record
holder of the 1500m racewalk, Schuellein most recently competed in the
U.S. Open Track and Field National Championships in Atlanta, placing seventh
out of amateur and professional athletes in the 3k racewalk. She also holds
the Division II Collegiate Track Conference Record in the 1500m racewalk
and has set C.W. Post racewalk records for every distance, from 1500m to
20K. Schuellein is also captain of the C.W. Post Cross-Country and Track
and Field Team and captain of the Racewalk Team.
"I'm looking forward to competing in my first New York City Marathon
this November, and I hope to continue my athletic endeavors at the Olympic
level, ideally bringing recognition to the sport of women's racewalking,"
said Schuellein.
Schuellein is a member of the National English Honor Society and National
Spanish Honor Society, among others. She is a recipient of the Nancy J.
Meyer Thesis Grant, English Department Award for Excellence in the Study
of Literature, and the Ada May Hoxie Award for Shakespeare and Classical
Literature. In May, she will be honored with the C.W. Post Award for Academic
Excellence, C.W. Post Collegial Federation Award for Academic Achievement
and Service, and the C.W. Post College Prize for Excellence in Spanish.
C.W. Post's Commencement will begin at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, May 9 in
front of Humanities Hall. For additional information, contact the C.W.
Post Public Relations Office at (516) 299-2333.
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail pr@cwpost.liu.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
