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
Another course to college
Born in: bangladesh
After Graduation: Boston college
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.”
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.”
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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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Boston International high school
Born in: dominican republic
After Graduation: bridgewater state university
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.”
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.”
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Brighton High School
Born in: El Salvador
After Graduation: Bryn Mawr College
Jeremiah E. Burke High School
Born in: Cape Verde
After Graduation: Undecided
Charlestown High School
Born in: Vietnam
After Graduation: Boston College
“When I set a goal, I accomplish it.”
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.”
Community Academy
Born in: USA
After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Boston
“I didn’t see myself graduating, much less becoming valedictorian.”
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.”
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.”
The English High School
Born in: Dominican republic
After Graduation: stonehill college
Excel High School
Born in: Vietnam
After Graduation: Simmons college
Fenway High School
Born in: Cape Verde
After Graduation: Providence College
“I have a passion for school. … I’m motivated to making a difference. ”
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.”
Horace Mann School for the deaf and hard of hearing
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Born in: usa
After Graduation: Gallaudet university
“I want to be a teacher. ... I love being around kids.”
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.”
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.”
Mary Lyon Pilot High School
Born in: USA
After Graduation: Westfield State University
“Keep working hard. Everything will pay off.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Muriel S. Snowden International School
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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.”
TechBoston academy
Born in: usa
After Graduation: Brandeis university
“I’m not an overachiever ... I just did the work and got good grades.”
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.”
WEst Roxbury Academy
Born in: USA
After Graduation: University of Massachusetts Boston
ABCD University High School
Born in: USA
After Graduation: Bunker Hill Community College
EDCO Youth Alternative
Born in: usa
After Graduation: Massachusetts Bay Community College
William J. Ostiguy High School
Born in: usa
After Graduation: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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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.”
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.”
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. ”