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VALHALLA, N.Y. The top two students in Valhalla High School's graduating Class of 2012 got a going-away present extra homework Wednesday night at the VHS senior class awards ceremony.
Principal Jonathan Thomas revealed the class valedictorian and the salutatorian and said, "These students are now given the task of going home and preparing a speech for our commencement ceremony. They have a little bit of homework to do.
Valedictorian Maria Trujillo, who earned a 100.68 cumulative GPA, will attend MIT in Cambridge, Mass. Jane Jacob, the salutatorian, attained a 100.50 GPA and will attend Harvard University in Boston. The two students will give their speeches later this month at the high school's 50th commencement ceremony.
Also Wednesday night, $48,000 in scholarships was handed out to several seniors. Valhalla School District Superintendent Brenda Myers said this years class gave the scholarship committees no easy task.
The members giving away those scholarships had an incredible challenge in picking students, Myers said. And you can look at our graduates and their achievements and know why. Myers said.
VHS Director of Guidance Andy Kupec echoed his superintendent's thoughts.
Right now our softball team is in the process of playing for a state championship, but I think we already won a state championship in the classroom, Kupec said.
In addition to honoring the students, the Valhalla PTSA honored Valhalla High School guidance office assistant Toni Bonifacio with the annual Jenkins Award given to the parent, staff member or teacher who exemplifies outstanding service to Valhalla schools and their students. Bonifacio was chosen for her work in aiding senior students in the college application process.
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