Graduation is right around the corner for West New York and Union City’s senior classes of 2006. Union City’s high schools will celebrate next weekend: Emerson High School on June 22, and Union Hill High School on June 23. Both ceremonies begin at 7 p.m.
The students of Memorial High School will host their celebration on June 27 at 6 p.m.
Representing the top of their classes are this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians, who have kept impressive records in both academics and extracurricular activities throughout their high school careers.
Memorial High School
It was around late fall that Memorial High School seniors Luis Leyva, 17, the valedictorian, and Julissa Ventura, 18, the salutatorian (second in the class), were informed of their key roles in graduation. As the top two ranked students in the class, both will give speeches.
For them, it was a satisfactory culmination to four years of hard work and aspirations.
“It’s definitely an honor, and after working so hard, something like this is so rewarding at the end,” said Leyva. “When I first stepped into Memorial, I was the epitome of a worrywart.”
Leyva says his experience at Memorial helped in his own journey of self-discovery, which stressed involvement beyond academics.
“You learn there is more to life than just academics, and you get involved in activities like the drama club and the school newspaper,” said Leyva.
Some of the other things Leyva was involved in included National Honor Society, of which he is president this year, and student government. Next for Leyva will be four years at Rutgers University, where he plans on studying biological science in hopes of one day becoming a professor or a pediatric physician.
“Science and biology is something that is never ending,” said Leyva. “There are so many new [discoveries] in the field and I hope to contribute to that.”
Also hoping to make her own marks and contributions to society, although in the study of history, is this year’s salutatorian, Julissa Ventura. Among what she will miss most about Memorial is the guidance she received from her teachers and her peers.
“Something I learned here at Memorial is that everyone takes the time to help you, and it’s the type of school too look for opportunities,” said Ventura. “I really appreciate the help form my teachers, especially the history department. They have opened so many doors for me.”
For Ventura, being selected as salutatorian is also a great honor and recognition for so many years of hard work. “I have always thought that hard work does pay off,” she said, “and I hope that Luis and I will serve as examples for the underclassmen.”
Emerson High School
Taking the podium for Emerson High School at graduation will be valedictorian Vivian Ortiz, 18, and salutatorian Jacqueline Rodriguez, 18.
“I am really happy to have received this honor, and I have always worked hard,” said Ortiz. “I do want to thank Nellie Chapman, because thanks to her guidance, I was able to [take advantage of further academic programs]. I took courses in NJIT and also did some research at Rutgers University, and introduction to Neuroscience and psychology at Brown University.”
Ortiz will also be starting at Brown University, where she plans to be pre-med, in the fall, with college credit due to her Advanced Placement classes at Emerson.
She was also involved in the school’s extracurricular activities, and has been part of the track team for four years including being captain.
“Students need to take advantage of what Emerson offers, because that is what is going to get you into a good college,” said Ortiz. “You should always challenge yourself to take extra courses, and don’t close yourself off to just Union City. It’s not the only part of the world.”
Much like Ortiz, Rodriguez was also able to take advantage of the many of the higher learning programs offered through the school, and attended courses at New Jersey City University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“These programs have exposed me to college courses and it will be like,” said Rodriguez, who will be attending the Stevens Institute of Technology in the fall.
“I have been growing here at Emerson for four years, and my speech for graduation should compliment how a person changes from freshman year to senior year,” said Rodriguez. “When I was a freshman I was very shy, but now I have made so many friends who I’m going to miss and my teachers.”
She added, “You should always strive for the best of what you can do because in the end it’s your personal happiness.”
Union Hill High School
Rounding off some of North Hudson’s most illustrious graduates from the class of 2006 are Union Hill High School’s valedictorian Swati Shah, 18, and salutatorian Yvette Elfawal, 17.
“I was hoping to be valedictorian, and not only because my sister was, but I have always been pretty competitive and hope to at least be in the top two,” said Shah. “It’s been a really great four years because I took advantage of all the classes and programs the school offers, and I have had a lot of support from my family and peers.”
In addition to her stellar academic records, extracurriculars such as Future Business Leaders of America, and wide variety of college programs, Shah also credits her experience at the school for building up her self-confidence and giving her the necessary tools she will need to proceed for the next four years at Rutgers.
“They taught us a lot and not just about academics, but about life itself,” said Shah. “In terms of what it takes to achieve success and the qualities needed such as leadership, commitment, and perseverance.”
Joining Shah on stage will be Elfawal, who was more surprised by the news of her achievement.
“It was unexpected; I was trying as hard as I could to get just to the top 25, so this was unexpected and I feel really good,” said Elfawal. “After four years of hard work I have achieved my goals [and beyond].”
For the last four years, Elfawal has been involved with many of her school’s activities, which have included educational groups such as the science league, in addition to her heavy course load of honors and advanced placement classes.
However, one of her proudest accomplishments was implementing a new after-school club, which brought students from all faiths and backgrounds together.
“I liked that fact that we could start our club at the school, so my sophomore year I started the Interfaith Club [because we’re such a diverse community],” said Elfawal.
Elfawal is going to go one step further by studying International Relations at Smith College in New Hampshire.
“I am very interested in international relations, especially diplomacy, and actually in a few weeks I will be going to Egypt to study Arabic for about a month and a half,” said Elfawal. “We are the future so we should work hard.”