Your Name
Clare Wendell
What High School do you attend?
Saratoga Springs High School
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mom, Molly, and my dad, Jeff, are originally from Syracuse but then moved to Saratoga before having my sister and I. I might be biased but I think my parents are the best. They always push me to work hard and support me every step of the way. My older sister, Katie, is a senior in college and will be graduating from Bucknell University in the upcoming weeks! Katie has been my role model since I first learned what that word meant. Even when we fight over clothes or Spotify or personal space, she’s still my best friend. I also have a dog named Dublin!
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to attend Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where I will be majoring in Marketing and playing on the lacrosse team!
What are two of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cantina is by far my number one. Flatbread social is also one of my friend groups favorite dinner place.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would travel to either Tuscany, Italy or Provence, France! Both are beautiful and I would kill to be able to experience that in real life.
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie is Talledega Nights, it never gets old and still makes me cry laugh even when I’ve seen it multiple times before. My favorite TV show is definitely Gossip Girl, only the original one though!
If you were asked to give advice to your senior class and the younger students at your school, what would you say?
I would tell them to just enjoy the moment while they have it. I spent a lot of my high school career very stressed about sports or school or even outside drama and looking back, none of it was worth the anxiety or worrying. High school is such a fun experience from the football games to the spirit weeks to all the dances, being present and taking in these awesome experiences will result in the best memories to look back on. You’ll never be this young again so savor the moment.
If you were able to be cast as yourself into a television show or series, what show would you want to be in?
I would want to be in Gossip Girl for sure, filming all throughout the city and being in my favorite show would be so cool. Clare, Blair… sounds pretty similar to me.
If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would you choose? Why? And where, locally, would you meet for this lunch?
I would probably choose Beyoncé, because… it’s Beyoncé. In all seriousness, she seems like such a genuine person and talking to her over lunch would be a dream. I think Beyoncé would love the Adelphi, because it’s just so pretty inside and seems fitting for a lunch with Beyoncé.
What is your favorite thing about our community?
My favorite thing is our communities love for its own city. During the pandemic so many family businesses and downtown shops were struggling due to the decrease in customers and popularity, but the locals of Saratoga made sure to give back to their community by supporting all of our downtown businesses and locally owned businesses. It’s amazing to see so many people I know come into downtown restaurants all year round because it shows how much the Saratoga people give back to each other and help each other out when needed. Especially during busy summer days at the track, you’ll still find locals buying waters from middle school students selling waters outside the entrance gates!
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself working somewhere in business, specifically marketing or PR, and maybe somewhere in a city like Boston? Or maybe even taking some time to travel the world because there are many places I dream about exploring when I’m able to.
What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t really have a bucket list but I’ve always wanted to swim with sharks! It sounds crazy but I’ve seen so many cool videos and pictures of people snorkeling with sharks or just floating with sharks casually swimming around them! I might need a few more swim lessons though!
What is your go to band / singer when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I’ve loved Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift ever since I’ve been a little girl. I used to jump around my bedroom, singing to their songs, acting like I was one of their background dancers on some sold out world tour, so I’d say I’m definitely a fan!
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is September, because it’s my birthday month and it’s still summer but not too hot and so many fun school events happen! My favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. Always the best day ever and fireworks are my favorite thing. Best single day on the calendar has to be October 31st because it’s Halloween but also the next day it’s November and that means it’s technically Christmas time. So much excitement for one day.
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Dunkin Iced Coffee, Medium, 2 cream, 2 sugar, and Caramel Swirl. 10/10 always.
Who inspires you to be better?
My mom. She is such a strong leader and is always determined to put her best foot forward in everything she does. I’ve watched her take charge of so many events, fundraisers, banquets, and in her work place. She is a powerful woman and I want to be just like her when I get older. She motivates me to speak up and show my girl boss side in school, in sports, and in work. I’ve learned alot of my powerful qualities from her and she’s helped me gain so much confidence over the years.
