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BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATES VALEDICTORIANS AT 25TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON

BOSTON -- Wednesday, May 31, 2023 -- Superintendent Mary Skipper, Mayor Michelle Wu, and Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson honored the outstanding accomplishments of the 2023 Boston Public Schools valedictorians yesterday at Fenway Park. The ceremony brought together a diverse group of high-achieving students, their families, and esteemed members of the community.
 
Mayor Wu, the Boston School Committee, and Superintendent Mary Skipper honored 33 seniors who are graduating at the top of their class. The students were accompanied by their school leaders and two loved ones. Each valedictorian received a $100 Amazon e-gift card, a citation from the Boston School Committee and Superintendent, and four free tickets to see the Boston Red Sox, presented by Red Sox President Sam Kennedy. 
 
"It is such a privilege to honor so many talented and hard-working young people today at the 2023 Valedictory Luncheon," said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "Every year, so many wonderful students graduate from the Boston Public Schools and each has so much to offer the world. Despite all of the trauma and hardship caused by the pandemic, our valedictorians strove for greatness and we are so proud of them and their accomplishments."
 
The first event of this kind was held in 1999 at the Parkman House. Its success has enabled the event to grow to a larger venue to include families, BPS staff, and partners from Boston’s higher education, business, and philanthropic community. Any proceeds from the event will benefit the City of Boston Scholarship Fund.
 
"Our Boston Public Schools students are an inspiration, and I'm so proud of these valedictorians who worked incredibly hard to earn this honor," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "We are grateful for all that these students do to inspire, mobilize, and enrich their communities, and are excited to see all that they accomplish as leaders!"
 
The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of major sponsors, including The Boston Red Sox, Eastern Bank Foundation, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
 
This event will showcase the accomplishments of 33 valedictorians, representing 32 schools. Over one-third of these young people will be the first in their families to attend college and 11 are students who have spent their entire education career at BPS. This diverse class also includes 11 students who were born outside the United States, hailing from China, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, and Jamaica. 
 
"These young people have accomplished so much," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. "Each and every one of our valedictorians has worked hard and earned this despite the unprecedented challenges from the past few years. Congratulations to all of our valedictorians. Good luck and thank you for the impact you have left on BPS."
 
The BPS Valedictorians Luncheon has grown to accommodate a larger venue, including BPS families, staff, and partners from Boston's higher education, business, and philanthropic communities. This annual celebration of academic excellence serves as a testament to the commitment and dedication of Boston Public Schools to provide the highest quality education possible. 
 
Below is the slate of 2023 Valedictorians:
 
Another Course to College
Nourra Toure, South End, Emory University
 
Boston Adult Technical Academy
Kleyvi Esmirna Martinez-Mojica, Dorchester, Bunker Hill Community College
 
Boston Arts Academy
Ariya Patel, Boston, Northeastern University
 
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Raysa M. Mendoza, Boston, Boston University
 
Boston Day Evening Academy
Kayla Quinlan, Dorchester, Wellesley College
 
Boston Green Academy
Michael Rana Chowdhury, Boston, Wentworth Institute of Technology
 
Boston International High School
Chenaya Valeus, Mattapan, Centre College
 
Boston Latin Academy
​​Ana Tejeda, West Roxbury, MIT
 
Boston Latin School
Elizabeth Choi, Jamaica Plain, Harvard College
 
Boston Latin School
Mira Yu, Fenway, Harvard College
 
Brighton High School
Kevin Guardado, Boston, Wesleyan University
 
Burke High School
Alicia Rose, Boston, Union College (Posse Scholar)
 
Charlestown High School
Yong Di Huang, Boston, Northeastern University
 
Community Academy
Kayla Cannady, Dorchester, Curry College
 
Community Academy of Science and Health
Malaika Allen, Dorchester, Centre College
 
Dearborn Stem Academy
Aisha Mahamud, Roxbury, Northeastern University
 
East Boston High School
Jailey Chavarria Gutierrez, East Boston, Northeastern University
 
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
Emeline Rose Boereau, Roxbury Crossing, John Hopkins University
 
Excel High School 
Korvin Nguyen, Dorchester, Northeastern University
 
Fenway High School
Jakayla Furr, Roxbury, Northeastern University
 
Greater Egleston High School
Kyara Paredes, Dorchester, Bunker Hill Community College
 
Henderson Upper Inclusion School
Jader Contreras, East Boston, Undecided
 
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Muna Abanoor, Roxbury, Gallaudet University 
 
John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
Joseph Leo Doherty, Brighton, Northeastern University
 
Josiah Quincy Upper School
Hui Yan Lei, Boston, Northeastern University
 
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
Lourdjinia Louis, Boston, University of Massachusetts, Boston 
 
Margarita Muniz Academy
Jaslyn Fernandez, Boston, Northeastern University
 
Mary Lyon Pilot High School
Ja'niya Baptiste, Roslindale, Johns Hopkins University 
 
McKinley Preparatory High School / Melvin H. King Academy 
Kevin Works, Dorchester, Bunker Hill Community College
 
New Mission High School
Courtney Sarfo, Boston, Northeastern University
 
Snowden International School
Rosmery Martinez, Charlestown, Northeastern University
 
TechBoston Academy
Ferdinand Yudha Hartono, Dorchester, Northeastern University
 
The English High School
Kaelyn McInnis, Dorchester, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 
 
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