Waldron Valedictorian opts for similar small-school environment at Hanover College

The next 12 months could close many open-ended questions Emily Tyree has about her life.

What the Waldron High School Class of 2024 Valedictorian is sure about is her choice to attend Hanover College near Madison, Indiana. Whether she has chosen the right educational track or becomes a collegiate athlete is yet to be determined.

Tyree will major in Biology.

“I am interested in Genetics and I’m interested in research,” she said. “I love science in general and I love learning about it. I am more doing it to enjoy what I am learning rather than doing it for a career at the moment.”

Tyree also made the decision not to continue her volleyball career, then realized that may not have been the wisest choice.

“I reached out to the (Hanover) coach in December but I wasn’t decided if I wanted to play,” she explained. “I finally told myself I didn’t want to play. By February or March, I really regretted it. I reached out (to the coach) again but the roster was full. He told me he would keep me in mind.”
Another athletic option has presented itself, though. Tyree will share a dorm room with Trinity Lutheran graduate Drew Hubbard, who will play tennis at Hanover and has invited Tyree to join the roster.

“I love tennis. It is my fun sport,” said Tyree. “Volleyball I have done forever. I love it. It’s my passion but tennis is just fun because I knew I would never stress about it ever.”

Tyree knows experience will help her make the right choice. She was unhappy at Waldron when she first reached the high school level but opted for a small school environment in college similar to what she thrived in at Waldron.

“My first two years in high school at Waldron I hated it because it was so small,” she explained. “I wanted to be at a big school, so I’ve always wanted to go to a really big school. These last two years I realized how much I enjoy learning. Having gone through COVID, online (classes) were awful and I’ve had so many online classes because Waldron is pretty limited with classes.

“ I figured it would be similar if I went to a big school. Having to be in a giant class with people and not being able to discuss one-on-one with teachers, I think I would love it so much more going to a small school and having a small classroom. I love discussion and debates and I think that would be easier to do at Hanover.”

Tyree also has the knowledge passed along by one of her older sisters who graduated from Hanover in 2021.

When asked about her favorite Waldron memory, her mind settled on a volleyball milestone.

“Winning the volleyball sectional was the best memory my sophomore year,” she said. “I rewatch the video of us winning probably once a week because I get that feeling again. I remember the exact moment it happened. I looked back and the ball went out of bounds and everybody rushed and we all fell on the floor. That is the best feeling I’ve ever had.”

This is the tenth in a series of 10 feature stories by the Shelby County Post on Shelby County’s Class of 2024 valedictorians and salutatorians.