Meet the 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
On the morning of May 5, Bishop Guertin honored members of the senior class who have achieved stellar academic benchmarks at the annual Scholar’s Breakfast. During that event, it was announced that seniors Seo Young Rachel Lee and Eliana Youssef were the class valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Both outstanding students, Lee and Youssef have been at the top of the Class of 2023 since arriving at Bishop Guertin four years ago. Now, as they prepare for the next journey in their lives, the took some time to reflect on what BG meant to them.
Seo Young Rachel Lee | Valedictorian
Hometown: Yongin, South Korea
Previous school: Seongseo Middle School
College attending in Fall 2023: Cornell University
Planned Area of Study: Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science
How did Bishop Guertin prepare you for college: BG allowed me to challenge myself academically through the rigorous courses it offers and provided me with a strong support system, which helped me gain effective study and time-management skills.
Your most memorable BG experience: The junior class boat cruise in Boston.
Your clubs and activities: Math Team, National Honor Society, FEM Club, Mock Trial, Spanish National Honor Society
A final thought that encompasses your BG experience: I am forever grateful for the past four years I was able to spend at BG, where I made some of my closest friends and found a home on the other side of the world.
Eliana Youssef | Salutatorian
Hometown: Nashua
Previous school: Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School
College attending in Fall 2023: The College of the Holy Cross
Planned Area of Study: Biology
How did Bishop Guertin prepare you for college: Bishop Guertin bases its curriculum on helping students prepare for college. One of the most beneficial aspects is the research paper completed in literature class all four years. Not only does that paper promote proper time-management skills, but it also shows students how to find reliable sources and introduces unique research topics that broaden their horizons. Having eight classes per year leads to a fairly heavy course load, but that is part of the vigorous curriculum at the school. My time at Bishop Guertin has taught me both working independently and collaboratively are needed to be successful.
Your most memorable BG experience: There are many memories I have made at BG that will stay with me, but the most notable was the Project Blackout football game during my junior year. Not only was it the first football game I had ever attended but singing the song “Rise Up” while everyone held signs with names of loved ones that have battled cancer was such a beautiful and emotional experience that made me feel more connected with my community.
Your clubs and activities: Student Ambassadors Program, National Honors Society, Campus/Music Ministry, Bible Study, Volleyball (freshman and sophomore year), and competitive dance outside of BG.
A final thought that encompasses your BG experience: To put it simply, I would not have had the same opportunities if it was not for Bishop Guertin High School. These past four years have been demanding, but it has all been worth it. I overcame many challenges, my favorite involving presenting a ten-minute TED talk to my Language and Composition class last year, that have made me a better version of myself. The one word that comes to mind when I think of my high school career is ‘gratitude.’ So thank you to my family, friends, and teachers for being with me every step of the way.