Alex Seiden, Valedictorian

Alex Seiden is the Class of 2025 Valedictorian. He will attend Rice University in the fall. A student whose intelligence, integrity, and humble determination define his high school experience, Seiden has consistently pursued academic excellence while balancing leadership and service commitments. A National Merit Commended Student, he began his FWCD journey in kindergarten and has grown into a student who embodies the School’s mission and core values.

Seiden found his passion for mathematics and data analytics at FWCD. As a result, he has completed a challenging AP course load, earning distinction through membership in the Cum Laude Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He especially enjoyed FWCD’s STEM-based offerings, naming AP Chemistry and Multivariable Calculus as his favorite classes. “Dr. [Heather] Peace and Mr. [Mark] Lichaj both make their classes very engaging, and the material is both challenging but also interesting,” he shared. With a strong analytical mindset, Seiden has pursued meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom. He completed the 2024 TCU Neeley Data Analytics Academy, a university-level program where he developed foundational skills in data interpretation. His interest in applying mathematics to real-world contexts led him to shadow the Cincinnati Reds’ front office, where he gained insight into how data shapes decision-making in professional sports. These experiences have helped shape his academic and career goals, affirming his desire to study mathematics in college with a focus on sports analytics.

A four-year member of the FWCD tennis team, Seiden played both doubles and singles on the seven-person varsity team. He was honored with the FWCD Coach’s Award for his positive attitude as a sophomore and the Heart and Hustle Award for his work ethic as a junior. He recently was honored with the Spring 2025 Southwest Preparatory Conference Sportsmanship Award. Additionally, Seiden has worked as an FWCD tennis camp counselor and a Mira Vista Country Club tennis camp counselor. In these roles, Seiden coordinated and assisted in tennis drills and taught how tennis is played and scored. 

Leadership is central to Seiden. As a senior, he was elected to the Honor Council, upholding the School’s core values. As a junior, Seiden was elected to the Discipline Council, a position he earned after five previous campaign attempts – an inspiring testament to his resilience and belief in meaningful service. He is also a Link Crew Leader, mentoring freshmen and guiding them through their transition into high school.

Seiden showed his commitment to social justice as a leader of the FWCD Daffodil Garden through the national Daffodil Project. The initiative honors the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust. He was the first sophomore ever selected to lead the project at FWCD, helping to educate his peers on the legacy of the Holocaust, drawing personal inspiration from his great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. In this role, he organized the annual planting of daffodil bulbs in the Daffodil Garden outside the Upper School.

Reflecting on what he has learned at FWCD, Seiden noted, “Push yourself enough to grow as an individual while also maintaining a proper balance between academics, social life, and other facets of life as a student.” He credits FWCD with helping him develop that balance over time. When asked what he’ll miss most about FWCD, he shared, “I will miss the camaraderie within each class the most because everyone is committed to each other’s success, and you always feel supported and loved while on campus.”

Among his favorite memories are the Lower School performances, each grade with its own special tradition. “I especially remember Poetry Explosion in second grade, in which Murphy Hoefer and I had to memorize and recite ‘On the Thirty Third of Januaugust,’” he said.

Seiden is a young man of character known to bring a thoughtful presence to every room he enters, a keen intellect to every conversation, and a sense of responsibility to every task he undertakes. His combination of academic excellence, leadership, and empathy ensures that he will not only thrive in college but also leave a meaningful mark on the community around him.