CHS Senior Kimberly La Fronz Proves Self-Discipline Pays Off

Graduating seniors are no strangers to hard work and perseverance, which can be said of Cranford High School Salutatorian, Kimberly La Fronz. La Fronz, who graduates with the honor of highest GPA for a female student in the Class of 2011, says she was flattered upon hearing the news of her class distinction.

“I knew that there were a couple of kids whose GPAs were very close to mine and had been for a number of years, so I never really knew exactly how it would play out until I was notified of being the salutatorian,” said La Fronz. “To some extent, I was a bit surprised because it could have gone a number of ways if things had gone even slightly differently.”

In addition to maintaining an impressive academic record, La Fronz has also been involved in a number of extracurricular activities throughout her years at CHS. She was a part of the marching band, concert band, Model UN, Girl Scouts, Mock Trial team, and a host of other organizations within the school. She also participated in community service work with senior citizens in town. La Fronz says that one of the reasons she has come so far is because of her internal drive.

“The majority of my motivation was self-motivation," she said. "At the beginning of high school, I knew some of the goals that I wanted to accomplish so I just kept focusing on my long-term plans in order to motivate myself."

La Fronz admits that the amount of work and activity that she involved herself in has occasionally taken a toll on her, but the focus she had on her success helped her overcome the stress.

“It was sometimes difficult to manage the amount of work that I had," La Fronz said of her numerous activities. “I used to get really stressed out about homework or even the slightest delay in my busy schedule, but people telling me not to worry as much has made me realize that if I am calm and relaxed, I can still accomplish as much, if not more, but without all of the negative stressful feelings.”

The drive La Fronz has displayed has helped her to secure a place at Georgetown University in the fall, where she plans to major in government, and eventually become a lawyer.

La Fronz says that the social aspects of Cranford  have helped her to be so active in her community and school.

“I think a lot of my involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities come from the fact that Cranford is such an involved and social town, particularly when you are young," she said. "However, as I got older, I know that a number of programs and opportunities at Cranford High School and in Cranford in general really shaped who I have become.”

Hard work does not end when senior year begins, according to La Fronz. For soon-to-be seniors, she advises self-discipline in order to achieve future goals.

“I would tell the up and coming seniors that it can be very tempting to ease up a bit since it is your senior year and you feel done after four years of hard work," she said. "But if you keep pushing yourself, it can be very rewarding.”