Memorial High School in West New York will see 330 members of the class of 2008 graduate this Wednesday.
Some of the seniors have overcome particularly strong challenges, including the valedictorian and class president, Yanna Daud.
Since English is not her native language, Daud has always struggled.
“I’m not naturally smart,” said the valedictorian last week, guessing that it was her hard work and perseverance that earned her that honor.
In her valedictory speech, she intends to impart the message to her fellow graduates that obstacles can be overcome with hard work.
Born in Cuba, Daud lived in Israel for five years until her family immigrated to the U.S. They settled in Miami in December 2001 and then moved to West New York in June, 2005.
She plans to make her journey part of her valedictorian speech.
“I want to talk about my experience from Cuba to Jerusalem, living over there, knowing Arabic, and how difficult it was for me to adapt to the culture and the environment over there, and then once again over here, learning English,” said Daud. “I want to talk about my strengths and how I overcome challenges.”
Despite struggles with the English language, Daud has excelled in her Advanced Placement classes, finding inspiration in her father, who is a doctor, and believing that she can accomplish anything if she sets her mind to it.
Come fall, she will be attending St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. as a pre-med student on academic scholarship.
After that, she hopes to attend to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. for medical school to become a pediatrician.
Robert Sanchez, the principal of Memorial High School, said it’s been a great year.
“Overall, everything has gone well, from attendance to discipline,” said Sanchez. “We’re very pleased with this group of seniors.”
Sanchez said that this year, Memorial can boast three county championships: baseball, boys track, and soccer. Also, for the first time in probably about 30 years, Memorial brought back its faculty show.
“We had Faculty Follies” in December, he said. “It’s really nice when the students get to see their teachers and their administrators in a different light.”
The principal said that such experiences help cement the ties between faculty and students, often dubbed the “Memorial family.” After all, who wouldn’t want to see their principal involved in a performance of “Greased Lightning”?
Sanchez said this kind of spirited effort “creates a nice common bond with the students.”
Memorial High School’s graduation ceremony will be held on June 18 at 6 p.m. on Memorial Athletic Field at 55th Street and Broadway.
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