fb-pixelBoston’s 2013 valedictorians - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Boston’s 2013 valedictorians

Forty-four different paths, many that began in distant lands, have brought them together. Through hard work and caring parents and teachers, they’ve conquered challenges. Now, they’ve made it to the top of their class. Here is a look at Boston’s 2013 valedictorians.

Compiled by Lauren Dezenski

Saiful Mahmood

Another course to college

Born in: bangladesh

After Graduation: Boston college

Pierre Claude Providence

boston adult technical academy

Born in: haiti

After Graduation: bunker hill community college

“I’d like to become a police officer because I like to protect people. I like solving problems.”

Ana Lemus

Boston Arts Academy

Born in: el salvador

After Graduation: santa clara university

“I’m very fortunate. Every morning I wake up and think about how lucky I am.”

Advertisement



Alan Yazbeck

Boston Community Leadership Academy

Born in: lebanon

After Graduation: boston university

“I want to become a doctor because everyone in my family is an engineer and being a doctor is a huge honor in my home country.”

Shabrinna McCalpine

Boston Day & Evening academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Mount Ida College

“Without going to school and doing well in school, you really can’t achieve much.”

Leslie Torres Ulloa

Boston Green Academy

Born in: Dominican republic

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts boston

“It took a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s all worth it.”

Julian Bastidas

Boston International high school

Born in: Colombia

After Graduation: Boston college

“My sister Nancy ... always encouraged me to do my best and always told me education is the most important thing.”

Edwin Soto

Boston International high school

Born in: dominican republic

After Graduation: bridgewater state university

Son Huynh

Boston Latin Academy

Born in: Vietnam

After Graduation: Boston university

“I want to be able to cure diseases when I finish school. Probably cancer. I just don’t know which cancer yet.”

Quynh Nhu Le

Boston latin school

Born in: Vietnam

After Graduation: Harvard University

“I want to do something that is helpful to not only myself but also to America.”

Advertisement



Blanca Lopez

Brighton High School

Born in: El Salvador

After Graduation: Bryn Mawr College

Elisa Dosouto

Jeremiah E. Burke High School

Born in: Cape Verde

After Graduation: Undecided

Phu Nguyen

Charlestown High School

Born in: Vietnam

After Graduation: Boston College

“When I set a goal, I accomplish it.”

Felida Milhomme

Community Academy of Science and Health

Born in: Haiti

After Graduation: Boston College

“I want to make something out of myself. ... I want to take advantage of all the different opportunities in the US.”

Leesandra Cuevas

Community Academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Boston

“I didn’t see myself graduating, much less becoming valedictorian.”

Davina Tran

Dorchester Academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Union College

“It’s not about being the smartest or best. If you put in your best effort, someone will recognize you for your hard work.”

Lamiae Hassairi

East Boston High School

Born in: Morocco

After Graduation: boston university

“Do what you want to do. ... In the end, you’ll be much happier.”

Brankely Garcia

The English High School

Born in: Dominican republic

After Graduation: stonehill college

Yen Nhi Tran

Excel High School

Born in: Vietnam

After Graduation: Simmons college

Vania Pereira

Fenway High School

Born in: Cape Verde

After Graduation: Providence College

“I have a passion for school. … I’m motivated to making a difference. ”

Donna Walker

Greater Egleston High School

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Rhode Island College

“At the end of the day … we have to take it seriously and do the best that we can do.”

Li Huong Tu

Horace Mann School for the deaf and hard of hearing

Advertisement



Born in: usa

After Graduation: Gallaudet university

“I want to be a teacher. ... I love being around kids.”

Kestine Okoro

Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

Born in: Nigeria

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

“Don’t get distracted. Always stay focused when it matters most.”

Haja-Khadijatu Savage

Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

Born in: USA

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

“You have to work hard … but you’re human, you have to have fun sometimes.”

Jacob Mastrogiacomo

Mary Lyon Pilot High School

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Westfield State University

“Keep working hard. Everything will pay off.”

Quanashia Scott

William mckinley preparatory high school

Born in: usa

After Graduation: hospitality training

“Things aren’t going to be handed to you, you have to go out there and get them.”

Charles Frasier

William mckinley south end academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Plumber and gasfitters school

“No matter where you come from…you can go through a pretty rough time but still come out on top.”

Ted White

New Mission high school

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Harvard university

“All my hard work over the past four years has made a dream come true.”

Arlette Reyes

John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science

Born in: Dominican Republic

After Graduation: MIT

“Science is our path to the future. It’s the only way to really improve society, in my eyes.”

Aaron Young

Quincy Upper School

Born in: USA

After Graduation: University of New Hampshire

“My mother has always been an inspiration and motivated me to ... be the best that I could be.”

William Phung

Muriel S. Snowden International School

Advertisement



Born in: USA

After Graduation: Boston University

“I didn’t just want the good grades. I wanted to become a distinguished individual in my school community.”

Kamil Moroz

TechBoston academy

Born in: usa

After Graduation: Brandeis university

“I’m not an overachiever ... I just did the work and got good grades.”

Nakia Ellies

Urban Science Academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: boston university

“I’ve just been doing what I have to do and this is just a reward.”

Marissa Serrette

WEst Roxbury Academy

Born in: USA

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Boston

Aaliyah Mendes

ABCD University High School

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Bunker Hill Community College

Sydea Hamlin

EDCO Youth Alternative

Born in: usa

After Graduation: Massachusetts Bay Community College

Devin Brock

William J. Ostiguy High School

Born in: usa

After Graduation: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

Markiesha Duverneau

Academy of the pacific rim CHarter Public School

Born in: usa

After Graduation: clark university

“Without the people around me, I wouldn’t get to where I was.”

William Amara

Boston Preparatory Charter Public school

Born in: USA

After Graduation: Brandeis University

“I try to work to my absolute capabilities. I’m not afraid to work as hard as I can to get what I want.”

Kelly Ijang

City on a hill Charter Public School

Born in: Cameroon

After Graduation: Union COllege

“It starts with you giving back, and that’s what I hope to do for my country.”

John Choukas

Boston Collegiate Charter School

Born in: USA

After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Lowell

“You just know the teachers are behind you and ... that helped me bring up my grades.”

Advertisement



Lauren Wyse

Boston Collegiate charter school

Born in: usa

After Graduation: providence college

“Most of the women in my family are teachers so I’m following in their footsteps.”

Yandiris Baez

Match Charter Public high school

Born in: USA

After Graduation: NOrtheastern University

“There are moments when you want to give up but ... it’s all worth it at the end.”

Janaysia Fields

Madison Park Technical vocational high School

Born in: usa

After Graduation: university of massachusetts boston

“As long as you stay on track, you can get through it. ”