MARLBOROUGH – Alexis Ott likes to bake.
She mentioned it during her valedictorian address to her fellow members of Marlborough High’s Class of 2024 on June 2.
“Baking taught me so many valuable lessons,” she said.
While culinary arts will not be Ott’s major when she goes to the University of Connecticut this fall – she plans to study mechanical engineering – baking will be part of her life. It’s one of her connections to the class.
Another connection – resiliency.
“We were a very resilient class – no matter the experience we come together,” said Ott.
She recalled spending her freshman year on a computer. It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she, like the rest of her class, had to rely on remote learning.
When in-person classes resumed her sophomore year, so did spirit week. When her class won the competition, Ott recalled thinking, “Our class really does care about this.”
Her class would go on to win spirit week the following two years.
While at MHS, Ott was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and tennis. She was also a basketball coach for sixth- and seventh-graders.
“I enjoyed it,” she said.
MHS tennis coach Jennifer Belisle said of Ott, “I couldn’t ask for a better captain and leader, the way she leads by example, cheering on the kids; she supported me.
“Ott made that [coaching] a whole lot easier. She was my backup,” she said. “There’s not enough good things to say. She will be missed by this school.”
And Ott’s message to her class? “To be a good person, to be kind.”