Elia D’Onofrio, 18, is a determined kid.
A few weeks ago he snapped his collar bone during a track meet. Yet he got up and finished the race, broken bone and all.
Surprise — he’s also Derby High’s valedictorian.
The Valley Indy spent a few minutes with D’Onofrio recently to chat with him about his years in the school district.
Parents Carmine and Stephanie, along with older sis Carmela, have plenty of reasons to be proud.
Valley Independent Sentinel: You’re the Derby class of 2012 valedictorian. How does it feel to be graduating?
D’Onofrio: “It’s strange. Some of these students I’ve been with all of my life. It’s been on my mind a lot lately, because I have to think of something to say.”
VIS: Are you nervous about the speech?
D’Onofrio: “I was valedictorian, I guess you would call it, of my sixth-grade class and I had to give a speech when we graduated elementary school. I started off with a few words, wanting to thank my mother and father — and then I broke down in tears. I just cried. That was my speech. I think I set out to become valedictorian of Derby High School just so I could finish the speech I started in sixth grade.”
VIS: Your arm is in a sling. What’s the story, there?
D’Onofrio: “I was running in the 300 meter hurdles for the Derby track team at the NVL championship a few weeks ago. Gun goes off, we shoot out. My idea is to run as fast as possible, not to pace myself. I went over the first hurdle, the second hurdle. Coming up to the third, I went a little too high, my leg didn’t catch the ground. I wasn’t stable and I pretty much ran my shoulder into the ground and broke my collar bone.”
VIS: Did you know right away your bone had snapped?
D’Onofrio “Honestly, no. I got up and kept running. I could feel my arm go numb. My body was telling me something was wrong, but my mind wasn’t listening. I finished the race.”
VIS: How did the track team end up doing?
D’Onofrio: “The good news is that we placed second in the NVL. Woodland placed first. Comparatively, Woodland has 74 kids. Derby has 13 and we still took second. Our coach said it was the first time Derby had brought home a trophy in something like 36 years.”
VIS: Who are some of the teachers who influenced you?
D’Onofrio: “I have a few. Back in seventh grade, Ms. Psyz. She taught science at Derby Middle School and used to bust my chops every day, but it was in a fun way. It would start conversations with other people in the class. I actually made friends because of her. Also, I’d have to say Mr. Gozzo, my social studies teacher and Mrs. Harrington, my Italian teacher.”
VIS: Where are you attending college next year?
D’Onofrio: “UConn. I’m hoping to major in electrical engineering.”
VIS: You’re also involved in the high school choir here in Derby?
D’Onofrio: A few members of my family have beautiful voices. Choir was really the most fun in high school. It was a way for me to connect to people and express myself.
VIS: “What’s your single best memory from your years in Derby schools?”
D’Onofrio: “That’s hard to answer, but this year I made all-state CMA (Connecticut Music Educators Association). That felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All the people I met, everybody was on the same page, we all had a lot in common. Everyone understood each other’s jokes. It was phenomenal.”
VIS: Who is the biggest influence in your life?
D’Onofio: My father is the biggest influence on my life. Also, I took karate for a long time. My sensei, Grand Master Charles Ehrentraut at American Hapkido in Seymour. Martial arts taught me to be a good person. It taught me how to have confidence and discipline. I stopped this year because I had to do college applications, but I really miss it.”
The Derby High School graduation is Tuesday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Ryan Field. If it rains, the ceremony will be held inside Derby High School.