Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians from Palm Beach County high schools.
American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, Top Scholars
Olivia Askowitz
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 4.4649
HPA: 5.7361
Accomplishments: second place in Ethics Bowl; first chair oboe in band; co-
president of the Coding Club; Summer Scientific Research; Math competition
Planned college: Cornell University
Inspirational quote: “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in
comparison to what lies inside of you.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pavan Kumar
Hometown: Parkland
GPA: 4.3735
HPA: 5.9041
Accomplishments: first place Statistics Team – Mu Alpha Theta; vice president of
AHS Math Competition Club; president of AHS Chess Club; Max Planck Institute
research internship
Planned college: Dartmouth College
Inspirational quote: “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Deeksha Kumaresh
Hometown: Royal Palm Beach
GPA: 4.501
HPA: 6.0183
Accomplishments: Founder of BrightScore Academy, a nonprofit educational
organization that has hosted over 1,200 virtual sessions for students around the
country; president of Math Competition; Scientific Research with AHS Summer
Institute and Florida Atlantic University; Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance)
Planned college: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Inspirational quote: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally
astound ourselves.” — Thomas A. Edison
Dylan McClish
Hometown: Delray Beach
GPA: 4.4673
HPA: 5.9036
Accomplishments: Founder of the CALM club, the first meditation club at
American Heritage; captain of AHS Varsity Basketball team; Science Research Institute
for three years; organizer and volunteer of Feeding South Florida food drive
Planned college: Princeton University
Inspirational quote: “Before you give up, think of the reason you held on so long.” — Drake
Isaac Wachsman
Hometown: Wellington
GPA: 4.5045
HPA: 5.7698
Accomplishments: State Champion and Competition Captain — Future Business Leaders of America; 5 on all 7 AP exams taken; full-time, paid summer internship at SV Microwave; president and Competition Captain — French Club; first place in state, National Competitor — Math Competition
Planned college: University of Florida (Honors College)
Inspirational quote: “Learning never exhausts the mind.” — Leonardo da Vinci
Nolan Wen
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 4.4954
HPA: 6.0509
Accomplishments: Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist; $27,000 in
scholarships; two-time published as first author; two-time Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair finalist; two-time, first-place State Science Fair Winner and Best in Fair Winner in Chemistry; National Merit Finalist, U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist; inducted into the American Junior Academy of Science three years in a row; Yale Science and Engineering Science Fair Award; vice president of Model United Nations Club; president of American Heritage Palm Beach Campus TASSEL Cambodia branch; Scientific Research/Summer research all four years of high school
Planned college: University of Pennsylvania
Inspirational quote: “People are just like farm equipment. They rust out quicker than they wear out.” — Colonel Sanders
Jin Yang Li
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 4.2821
HPA: 5.859
Accomplishments: Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor in Cremona, Italy; president of Math Competition Team; hard worker at Hong Kong Palace (the family’s takeout restaurant)
Planned college: Harvard College
Inspirational quote: “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” — Socrates
Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, West Palm Beach
Valedictorian: Siya Viroja
Hometown: Wellington
Accomplishments: National Merit Scholar; Kovner Scholar; founder and president of Premed Club; Dreyfoos girls’ soccer team member
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational Quote: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” — Michael Josephson
Salutatorian: Ella Perras
Hometown: Jupiter
Accomplishments: Florida Girls State Delegate; Scholastic Gold Medal; Scholastic Silver Medal; over 400 volunteer hours; artwork selected and displayed in Norton Museum of Art; National Art Honor Society president; 7 Scholastic Gold Keys; 7 Scholastic Silver Keys; 4 Scholastic Regional Honorable Mentions
Planned college: University of British Columbia
Inspirational Quote: “You aren’t sure if you’re making the right decision — about anything, ever.”
— Joan Didion
Atlantic Community High School, Delray Beach
Valedictorian: Stacy Pham
Hometown: Boynton Beach
GPA: 3.99
HPA: 5.57
Accomplishments: Raised $1,700 for Operation Smile; private pilot’s license student; Florida’s Girls State Delegate; Florida Engineering Society Scholarship recipient; Academic Excellence Pathfinder nominee
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke
Salutatorian: Atishay Narayanan
Hometown: Boynton Beach
GPA: 4.00
HPA: 5.47
Accomplishments: Pathfinder Mathematics Winner; NextEra Energy Inc. National Merit Scholar; first place in Sports and Entertainment Management at Florida FBLA 2022; AP Scholar with Distinction 2021 and 2022; IB Diploma Candidate
Planned college: Princeton University
Inspirational quote: “Being a nerd really pays off sometimes.” — Ken Jennings
Boca Raton Achievement Center
First graduate: Taylor Bergman
Hometown: Boca Raton
Next step: BRAC’s adult program
Inspirational quote: “[My] story as a special needs student is really challenging. But I now know that I can only make my life change by believing in myself.”
Boca Raton Community High School
Valedictorian: Gabriela Quiros
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Boca Raton
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.78
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma with Distinction; Outstanding Cambridge Scholar with Distinction; AP Capstone Diploma; AP Scholar with Distinction; Biliteracy Seal Gold; Kathryn Lindgren Scholarship; Scholastic Top 10
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Two things will define you: Your determination when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything.” — Peng Joon
Salutatorian: Miguel Elie
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.8
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma with Distinction; Cambridge Scholar Award with Merit; National Honor Society; Math Honor Society President; 2021 AP Scholar with Honor; 2021 AP Seminar and Research Certificate; 2022 AP Capstone Diploma; 2022 AP Scholar with Distinction
Planned college: University of Florida Honors College
Inspirational quote: “Success at anything will always come down to this: focus and effort. And we control both.” — Dwayne Johnson
Boca Prep International School, Boca Raton
Valedictorian: Gibelle Beaujon
Hometown: Willemstad, Curaçao
GPA: 3.97
HPA: 4.64
Accomplishments: Acceptance to Scholars Program at Salisbury and NHS president of Boca Prep
Planned college: Salisbury University
Inspirational quote: “Be the type of person you want to meet.” — Tom McCallum
Salutatorian: Emily Diamond
Hometown: Toms River, N.J.
GPA: 3.90
HPA: 4.15
Accomplishments: Acceptance to Honors College Program at Fairfield University and NHS vice president of Boca Prep
Planned college: Fairfield University
Inspirational quote: “All that matters is how you see yourself.” — Israel Adesanya
Boynton Beach Community High School
Valedictorian: Madison Fauntleroy
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.00
HPA: 5.18
Accomplishments: Helen Wessel Endowment Scholarship Recipient; Embry-Riddle Diamond Eagle Scholarship recipient; Alton “Al” Wright Youth Apprentice Scholarship recipient; Florida Academic Bright Futures Scholarship recipient; National Honor Society president; Civil Air Patrol North Palm Beach County Squadron Cadet 1st Lieutenant Aerospace Officer
Planned college: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach (Aerospace Physiology Major)
Inspirational college: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne
Salutatorian: Jessica Rosado
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 3.9
HPA: 4.9
Accomplishments: BASA; Dual Enrollment; over 100 hours of community service, most helping local small businesses
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “To find what you’re passionate about, do what makes you excited.” — Unknown
Forest Hill Community High School, West Palm Beach
Valedictorian: Taylor Brockman
Hometown: West Palm Beach
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.2698
Accomplishments: Pathfinder nominee; Flag Football team captain; Land Rover Player of the Week; AICE Diploma candidate; IB Diploma candidate; graduating with over 40 college credits; 1510 SAT score
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Some days you are a bug and some days you are a windshield.” — Grandpa
Salutatorian: Maximilian Holliday
Hometown: West Palm Beach
GPA: 3.9677
HPA: 5.2581
Accomplishments: Pathfinder nominee; National Merit Scholarship recipient; IB Diploma candidate; founding member of Forest Hill High School Debate Club; completed over 100 community service hours for several nonprofit organizations including Little Smiles, Keep America Beautiful and others
Planned college: University of Florida
Glades Central Community High School, Belle Glade
Valedictorian: Sabrina Jacques
Hometown: Belle Glade
GPA: 3.89
HPA: 4.88
Accomplishments: George Snow Scholar; FSU Presidential Scholar; Scholastic Achievement at the Breakers; FFA Member of the Year; NHA Certified EKG technician; AEST Associates of Agriculture; Inducted Member of both National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society; first-generation college student; over $80,000 in scholarships as well as two full-tuition scholarships
Planned college: Florida State University
Inspirational quote: “To survive is to stay alive in the face of opposition.”
Salutatorian: Jennicia Simms Hometown: Belle Glade
GPA: 3.8
HPA: 4.74
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma recipient; dual enrollment student; over 200 hours of community service; served at New Life Tabernacle UPC Belle Glade, Bridges at Belle Glade, National Achievers Society; participated in 9 clubs; certified EKG technician; Glades Central’s Principals ‘A’ Team
Planned college: University of Central Florida
Inspirational quote: “Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will change. Everything ends up working out in the end. Sometimes even better than one could imagine. Remember this when you are in a hard place or feel like you’re being challenged the most. Believe in where you are heading.”
Grandview Preparatory School, Boca Raton
Valedictorian: Madison Warren
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 3.97
HPA: 4.5
Accomplishments: Cheerleading captain and MVP; Varsity Dance Team captain; Varsity Volleyball captain
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “If you’re happy doing what you’re doing, nobody can tell you you’re not successful.” — Harry Styles
Salutatorian: Elle Tesoriero
Hometown: Miami
Unweighted GPA: 3.95
Weighted GPA: 4.41
Accomplishments: AP Scholar with Honor; AP Scholar with Distinction; co-president of GPS Student Government Association; member of National Honor Society; Florida Academic Scholars Scholarship recipient; Honors Diploma Recipient; full-time student-athlete at Evert Tennis Academy; FHSAA Tennis Regional finalist
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”
John I. Leonard High School, Greenacres
Valedictorian: Apphia Elizabeth Lall Hometown: West Palm Beach
GPA: 3.97
HPA: 5.21
Accomplishments: Neuroscience Intern at Max Planck; SGA Student Body Vice President; SAC Secretary; SECME Historian; Science Pathfinder Nominee; Equality Club President; AICE Diploma with Merit; National Honor Society; EMR Certification; CMAA Certification; EKG Tech Certification
Planned college: Duke University
Inspirational quote: “Never be afraid to try something new because life gets boring when you stay within the limits of what you already know.”
Salutatorian: David B. Campbell
Hometown: Lake Jackson, Texas
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.19
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma Candidate; Python Industry Certification; South Florida Fair Community Service; Student Government Association Food Drives; NJHS member; president of Students Working Against Tobacco Club for nearly three years and member of Lancer Court for one year
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “When the fight in the arena seems hopeless, fight harder knowing that you can’t let the sacrifices that others have made for your future success die in vain.” — David Campbell
Jupiter Christian School
Valedictorian: AJ Seymour
Hometown: Fort Myers
GPA: 4.48
HPA: 3.96
Accomplishments: Maintained straight As throughout high school; named to the Principal’s List every year; Senior Prefect in Athletics, member of the National Honor Society; JCS Student Ambassador; Student Government Representative; National Arts Honor Society; Academic Excellence Award in Math; lettered all four years on men’s Varsity Baseball team
Planned college: Rollins College
Inspirational quote: “I’ll tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw
yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will
happen, it will be done for him.” — Mark 11:23
Co-Salutatorian: Rose Bezilla
Hometown: Hartford, Conn.
GPA: 4.44
HPA: 4.0
Accomplishments: Maintained straight As throughout high school career; named on the Principal’s List every year; Senior Prefect in Spiritual Life; member of National Honor Society; member of National Society of High School Scholars; JCS Student Ambassador; vice president of the Latino Club; treasurer of the Marketing Club; Theater Award; Dual Enrollment Psychology Award; Palm Beach Post Pathfinder nomination for Academic Excellence; varsity soccer; varsity golf; junior varsity volleyball
Planned college: University of Miami
Inspirational quote: “So we press through the pain, and we dance in the rain, and we change and we grow, we learn how to let go, and it’s these times we show, that we’re more than we know.” — Madeleine Meldrum
Co-Salutatorian: Kennedy Kauff
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.44
HPA: 4.0
Accomplishments: Maintained straight As throughout high school; named on the Principal’s List every year; member of National Honor Society; Palm Beach Post Pathfinder nominee for Math; received multiple Academic Awards
Planned college: Florida Atlantic University
Inspirational quote: “Don’t pray for better lives, pray to be stronger men.” — John F. Kennedy
Jupiter Community High School
Valedictorian: Zachary Thomas
Hometown: Jupiter
GPA: 3.9
HPA: 5.5
Accomplishments: Over 300 community service hours, private pilot
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Our class has been afforded the best mentors and role models of any institution. I encourage my classmates to serve as a leader to those that require one, as we have looked to so many.”
Salutatorian: Dustin Perron
Hometown: Loxahatchee
Val/Sal GPA: 5.5538
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.4247
Accomplishments: Top 10 since 10th grade; AICE Diploma recipient; logged over 300 community service hours; completed 13 AICE courses and 24 Dual Enrollment courses, graduated with AA degree from Palm Beach State College on May 9
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Even if you’re on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
Olympic Heights Community High School, Boca Raton
Valedictorian: Brandon Silver
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 3.9437
HPA: 5.5862
Accomplishments: National Merit Commendation; NHS; Mu Alpha Theta; Spanish NHS; AP Scholar; AICE Diploma; Bright Futures
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan
Salutatorian: Emily Zhang
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 3.98
HPA: 5.43
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma with Merit (2022); nominated for 2021-22 Sunshine State Scholars Program; artwork displayed at Norton Museum of Art (2019-20 and 2022); AP Scholar with Distinction (2022); over 150 hours of community service; Award of Merit in Women in the Visual Arts, Inc. (2021); NSHSS member; treasurer (2019-2020) and vice president (2020-21) of National Art Honor Society at OHHS
Planned college: University of Miami
Inspirational quote: “A road is something that you make yourself.” — Jotaro Kujo
Pahokee Middle-Senior High
Valedictorian: Madison Jones
Hometown: Pahokee
GPA: 3.9
HPA: 5.3
Accomplishments: 5th place in Incubate Debate tournament; over 300 community service hours; 18 college acceptances; industry certification in information technology
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity; and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.” — Conan O’Brien
Salutatorian: Karen Melendez
Hometown: South Bay
GPA: 3.8824
HPA: 5.2255
Accomplishments: Honor roll; full tuition for South Carolina State University; Scholastic Achievement Award for Palm Beach State University
Planned college: University of South Florida
Inspirational quote: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” — Anatole France
Palm Beach Central High School, Wellington
Valedictorian: Ryan Fingeret
Hometown: Wellington
Cumulative GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.5
Accomplishments: Principal’s Honor Roll with Straight As every nine weeks for three years; National Honor Society member; AICE Diploma Recipient with distinction; Bright Futures Scholar; Rho Kappa History Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society member; founder and vice president of Students Working Against Tobacco
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Life is like a roller coaster, sometimes all you can do is scream and hold on.”
Salutatorian: Amanda Schinina
Hometown: Wellington
GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.4
Accomplishments: NHS member; AICE Advisory, Committee member; AICE Diploma with Distinction
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Scary news is, you’re on your own now. Cool news is, you’re on your own now.” — Taylor Swift (NYU 2022 commencement speech)
Palm Beach Gardens Community High
Valedictorian: Peggy Cheung
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 3.99
HPA: 5.3
Accomplishments: Over 350 community service hours; National Honor Society vice president; Computer Science Honor Society vice president; Asian Student Union vice president; Mu Alpha Theta secretary; HOSA Gift of Life coordinator; Peggy Adams Cat Care volunteer; Science National Honor Society member; National English Honor Society member; Future Business Leaders of America member
Planned college: Reed College
Inspirational quote: “Do it scared and unprepared!”
Co-Salutatorian: Paulina Loaiza
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.2
Accomplishments: Executive officer of NJROTC; Pathfinder nominee; president of Spanish Honor Society; varsity soccer and bowling; recipient of NROTC Scholarship and Bright Futures Scholarship; AP Scholar; AICE Diploma with Distinction; UF Research Scholar Planned college: University of Florida Honors College
Inspirational quote: “When we see the Earth from space, we see ourselves as a whole. We see the unity, and not the divisions. It is such a simple image with a compelling message: one planet, one human race.” — Stephen Hawking
Co-Salutatorian: Victoria Rose
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.2
Accomplishments: Math Honor Society vice president; National Honor Society president; AICE
Diploma recipient; AP Scholar award
Planned college: Florida State University
Inspirational quote: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
Park Vista Community High, Lake Worth
Valedictorian: Erika Bast
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 3.9367
HPA: 5.440
Accomplishments: Cambridge AICE Diploma with Merit; president of HOSA (Future Health Professionals); co-president of the National English Honor Society; member of National Honor Society; event coordinator of Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society); past member of National Science Honor Society; member of the Environmental Club and the Park Vista Dance Team; member of Phi Theta Kappa – Delta Omicron Chapter at Palm Beach State College where she was awarded her AA degree in December 2022.
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salutatorian: Brianna Castro
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.4231
Accomplishments: Cambridge AICE Diploma with Distinction; AP Scholar Award; president of the National Spanish Honor Society; co-vice president of Key Club; member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society), Rho Kappa (National Social Studies Honor Society); volunteer at church and for Speak Up For Kids; recipient of the 2022 Hispanic Heritage Award for Academic Excellence and the Harvard Prize Book Award; prom queen
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” — Maya Angelou
Royal Palm Beach Community High School
Valedictorian: Alexander Casal
Hometown: Royal Palm Beach
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.6020
Accomplishments: President of Math and History Academic Games; member of 5 National Honor Societies (National, Science, English, History, and Mu Alpha Theta); treasurer of the National English Honor Society; vice president of Mu Alpha Theta; attended Academic Games, placed second in locals, competed in states and qualified for nationals; two-time Carson Scholar; Triunfo Scholarship recipient
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Never settle for what’s easy, but only for your best because one day only your best will suffice.”
Salutatorian: Sara Dominguez-Perez
Hometown: Royal Palm Beach
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.5408
Accomplishments: Science Pathfinders nominee; member of the National Art Honor Society; International Baccalaureate student; co-founder of RPBHS MSK Arts and Crafts Club; over 100 hours of community service; 7 AICE and 3 AP courses
Planned college: University of Central Florida
Inspirational quote: “Remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.” — Chadwick Boseman
Santaluces Community High School, Lantana
Valedictorian: Janet Charqueno Gonzalez
Hometown: Lantana
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.0
Accomplishments: Pathfinder nominee for the Academic Excellence Category; president of the Santaluces Latinos in Action Chapter; officer position in the National Honor Societies (NHS & NAHS); AICE Diploma with Distinction; Cambridge (AICE) Scholar Award with Merit; Bright Futures recipient; Academic Excellence Awards across math, English and science courses
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.” — Robert Downey Jr.
Salutatorian: Connor Ballew
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 3.9
HPA: 4.8
Accomplishments: Four-year varsity baseball player; two-year NHS and NSHSS member
Planned college: University of Central Florida
Inspirational quote: “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” — John F. Kennedy
Seminole Ridge Community High, Loxahatchee
Valedictorian: Juliana Ortega
Hometown: Loxahatchee
GPA: 3.9868
HPA: 5.2763
Accomplishments: Foreign Language Pathfinder nominee; Questbridge National College Match Scholarship recipient; vice president of Spanish Honor Society; treasurer of National Honor Society; External Overall of Dance Marathon; Dance Marathon Leadership Team Grades 9-12
Planned college: Notre Dame University
Inspirational quote: “Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.”
Salutatorian: Julia Newcomb
Hometown: Loxahatchee
GPA: 4.00
HPA: 5.2077
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma and top tier Bright Futures; National Honor Society historian; straight As throughout high school; Biotechnology Academy; member of Mu Alpha Theta Science, National Honor Society, Key Club and Go Green Club
Planned college: University of Central Florida
Inspirational quote: “People call these things imperfections, but they’re not, that’s the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds.” — “Good Will Hunting”
SouthTech Academy, Boynton Beach
Valedictorian: Stephanie Delaplane
Hometown: Lake Worth
GPA: 3.9452
HPA: 4.5788
Accomplishments: Animal Science and Agritechnology specialist; Certified Veterinarian Assistant
Planned college: Jacksonville University
Inspirational quote: “Success is not final; Failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston S. Churchill
Salutatorian: Saturn Louidort
Hometown: Boynton Beach
GPA: 3.97
HPA: 4.6
Accomplishments: Highest number of medical certifications passed within the grade; one state license; five national health certifications
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” —Thomas A. Edison
Spanish River Community High, Boca Raton
Valedictorian: Brody Pellegrino Hometown: Boca Raton GPA: 4.0 HPA: 5.6538 Accomplishments: DECA International Finalist; DECA State Winner; Vice President Florida DECA 2021-2022; AICE Diploma with Distinction; AP Scholar with Distinction; Academic Excellence Pathfinder Award finalist; Spanish River Vegan For the World Club president; Spanish River TILE Business Conversations Club president; National English Honors Society president; AICE Ambassador; Clubs2Kids engagement director
Planned college: University of Pennsylvania/Wharton, Joseph Wharton Scholar Inspirational quote: “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” — Michelle Obama
Salutatorian: Tian Haw Zheng
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.4237
Accomplishments: Officer of First Priority; National Merit finalist; three-sport student-athlete
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Our present trials and weaknesses cannot compare with the joys awaiting us at the finish line. You will never know what can be, if you do not go and see.”
Suncoast High School, Riviera Beach
Valedictorian: John Parel
Hometown: Wellington
GPA: 3.9909
HPA: 5.6789
Val/Sal GPA: 5.8200
Accomplishments: Kovner Opportunity Scholarship recipient; published author (Dartmouth International Collegiate Journal of Science); AP Scholar with Distinction; researcher; Certified CPR Instructor; Emergency Medical Technician training; Academic Excellence Pathfinder finalist; National English Honor Society president; 1550 SAT (perfect score in math); president of the VA Youth Advisory Board; president of Academic Games; George Washington University (seven-year BS/MD program) Inspirational quote: “Never forget the roots from which you came from, and never forget the people who made you who you are today.” — Mr. Parel, John’s father
Salutatorian: Sultan Khanfar
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.0000
HPA: 5.5110
Val/Sal GPA: 5.6818
Accomplishments: Conducted one year of research for Dr. Ken Dawson-Scully, Nova Southeastern University; National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; 1520 SAT (perfect score in math); graduating high school with associates degree (104 credit hours); University of Florida (Honors Program and University Research Scholars Program)
Inspirational quote: “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.” — J.J. Watt
The King’s Academy, West Palm Beach
Valedictorian: McKayla Martin
Hometown: Loxahatchee
GPA: 4.114
HPA: 4.672
Accomplishments: Ambassador, Global Ambassador, Co-President of Group316 and Spiritual Life Prefect; selected as junior Marshall in 11th grade; National Merit finalist; English superlative award recipient; active membership in six honor societies
Planned college: Liberty University
Inspirational quote: “I hope to leave TKA with a legacy of being Godly, kind, hard working, humble and joyful. I hope I’m remembered as the girl who loved her Lord, her peers and her teachers more than herself.”
Salutatorian: Zacary Webb
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 4.671
HPA: 4.054
Accomplishments: Three senior superlative awards; active membership in seven honor societies; president of Math National Honor Society and vice president of FL Law Honor Society; co-MVP, first-team all-district and first-team all-regional for lacrosse
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “Being able to manage academics, family, athletics, extracurriculars, and friends became easier over time and taught me the importance of staying organized and setting realistic goals for myself within each day, week, month and year.”
Wellington Community High School
Valedictorian: Michelle Wong
Hometown: Wellington
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.5067
Accomplishments: Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) president; National Honor Society member; Science Honor Society member; founder/president Social Justice League; Asian Student Union co-founder/co-president; honor roll; Carson Scholars Fund winner
Planned college: Harvard University
Inspirational quote: “She silently stepped out of the race that she never wanted to be in, found her own lane and proceeded to win.” — Unknown
Salutatorian: Victoria Loredan
Hometown: Wellington
GPA: 4.0
HPA: 5.4643
Accomplishments: President of Black Leadership Achievement Student Team; president of Math National Honor Society; internship at Premier Family Health Clinic; over 200 hours of community service; received AA before senior year; received leadership award from the village of Wellington; AICE Diploma with distinction; 20 Dual Enrollment classes
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “It’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” — J. Cole
West Boca Raton Community High
Valedictorian: Cydney Savage
Hometown: Port Saint Lucie
GPA: 3.94
HPA: 5.47
Accomplishments: AICE Diploma; AP Scholar with Distinction; AP Capstone Diploma candidate
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “You have to fail and then get better. Then you have to fail again, and then get even better.” — Lady Gaga
Salutatorian: Zachary Bennett
Hometown: Boca Raton
GPA: 3.97
HPA: 5.37
Accomplishments: Key Club president; varsity golf captain; Pickleball Club founder/president; National Honor Society president; Mu Alpha Theta member; U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate; National Merit Scholar semifinalist; AP Scholar with Distinction; AICE Diploma with Merit – 2022; SAT Score of 1590
Planned college: University of Florida
William T. Dwyer High School, Palm Beach Gardens
Valedictorian: Landen Petric
Hometown: Jupiter
GPA: 5.5278
Val/Sal GPA: 5.67
HPA: 3.986
Accomplishments: Varsity soccer; National Honor Society president; English National Honor Society treasurer; Math Honor Society; Students Against Melanoma president
Planned college: University of Florida
Inspirational quote: “You must never give up; have faith in yourself.” — Luka Modric
Salutatorian: Samantha Long
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
GPA: 3.98
HPA: 5.42
Accomplishments: Committed to play college soccer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Science Honor Society member and president; National Honor Society member; English Honor Society member; Math Honor Society member; International Baccalaureate Student Union Member and class representative; varsity soccer
Planned college: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Inspirational quote: “Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.” – Winnie the Pooh
