Johnston High Top 10 Students: #2 Audry Mahony

Salutatorian of the Johnston High School Class of 2021, Audry Mahony, of Elizabeth Ann Drive, plans to attend Smith College in the fall.

She intends to major in Environmental Science and Conservation Biology.

Mahony served as captain of the Academic Decathlon and Cross Country teams at Johnston High.

During her years at the school, Mahony was the recipient of several awards, including the Harvard Book Award, the Rhode Island Academic Decathlon Gold Medal Scholarship, the Math Department Award and the Spanish Department Award.

“I think I will mostly remember just how much I’ve changed as a person over my high school years, as well as all of the friends I’ve made along the way,” Mahony said. “I think I’ll remember all of the times I’ve gotten to explore and expand my interests, from forming a band in my sophomore year to volunteering to take care of animals with the Audubon Society.”

Mahony was asked who contributed most to her success and enjoyment of high school.

“My friends always reminded me that academics aren’t the most important aspect of being a student, to have fun in all of my endeavors,” Mahony answered. “They definitely made my high school experience more enjoyable while we worked together in and outside of the classroom. They have always supported me, whether it meant ordering and buying baked goods from me when I needed to start saving gas money, or encouraging me to speak up for myself when it was necessary. We have always celebrated each other’s successes, big and small, and I think that’s something I can take with me as I transition into college and beyond.”

Motivation is always key to any student’s success.

“Overall, I think I’m a pretty self-motivated person,” Mahony said. “I always want to get the most out of what I do, whether I’m competing in cross country or learning in the classroom. For me, ‘excelling’ academically was more about learning as much as I could and getting the most out of my education than it was getting good grades.”