School Valedictorians

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston School Committee Chair Elizabeth Reilinger and Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant co-hosted a ceremony today to honor the Boston Public Schools students who were selected valedictorian of their graduating class (list of honorees enclosed). This year's seniors are the first graduating class required to pass the State MCAS exams in order to earn a high school diploma.

More than 200 people attended the luncheon at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The 5th annual event was co-sponsored by Reebok, Harvard University, and other partners. Each valedictorian received an American Heritage College Dictionary & Thesaurus from Houghton Mifflin, as well as athletic gear from Reebok and other gifts.

Neria Xavier of Dorchester, the top graduate of the Class of 2003 at Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School, spoke on behalf of the honorees. Ms. Xavier, a graduate of Madison Park's television production program, will attend Smith College in the fall to pursue a career in media. She is a three-sport varsity athlete - soccer (co-captain), softball, and indoor track (1st place, one-mile event, citywide championship). Ms. Neria attended elementary, middle and high school in the Boston Public Schools and has been tutoring at-risk students in English and Math at the Emerson Elementary School.

WCVB-TV (Channel 5) News Reporter Jorge Quiroga, a former elementary school teacher in the Boston Public Schools, served as guest host of the program. Students were joined at the event by their headmaster and family members, as well as elected officials, business and community partners, and other guests.

The first Valedictorians Luncheon was held in 1999 at the City's Parkman House. Its success enabled the luncheon to become an annual event and a fundraiser for the City of Boston Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to Boston residents attending college in Massachusetts.

Boston Public Schools Class of 2003 Valedictorians High SchoolValedictorianStudent's home neighborhood Another Course to College