Jennifer Vo

Name: Jennifer Vo

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 1st (Valedictorian)

Future Plans (education): Brown University

Future Plans (career): Technical Theater/Film, Engineering

High School activities and any position held: Crochet & Knitting Club Social Media Manager, Drama Club and Musical Theater Deputy Stage Manager, Science Olympiad and Science Bowl Team Captain, Rhode Island Department of Education Student Council Member, National Honors Society President, JV Volleyball Co-Captain, Comprehensive Community Action Plan Intern, Class Council Member, Dungeons and Dragons Club Player, Morning & Sport Announcements (BBC/TSM) Announcer, Video Editor, Tutor, Library Volunteer, General Emcee

Special awards/scholarships received: Arthur First Scholarship, Ross Scholarship, Class of 2018 Scholarship, Women in Technology Engineering Intern Certificate, Harvard Book Award, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Book Award, QuestBridge Finalist, Presidential Scholar Finalist

Best high school memory: After junior final exams, my friends and I all went to the beach to celebrate. We played in the sand, swam around, and I think I ate the best sandwich of my life. Every time I feel the sun’s warmth or smell sunscreen, I can’t help but smile. Basking in the sun with the people who made me who I am today made me realize that working hard means nothing if I don’t take the time to relax as well.

Who helped you succeed in high school: I had many influences – my favorite teachers, close friends and my amazing family. However, the thing that kept me going throughout all four years at Cranston East was the idea of a wise and well-accomplished Jennifer Vo. When I think about myself in college, at work or generally in life, I imagine someone who faces challenges with a smile on her face. The future version of myself motivates me to work hard to become her. She will inspire me for the rest of my life (probably).

Advice for next year’s class: Just try your best and have fun. Either you will succeed or have a hell of a good story.

Danny Song

Name: Danny Song

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 2nd (Salutatorian)

Future Plans (education): Johns Hopkins University

Future Plans (career): Major in International Studies before directly matriculating into the Master’s program in International Relations. After completing my studies, I plan to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and eventually pursue a career in foreign service or diplomacy.

High school activities and any position held: Marching Band Drum Major and Low Winds Captain, JROTC Battalion S-6, Civic Liaison for RI Department of State, Cranston Combined Percussion, Science Olympiad, Boys Tennis, Student Leadership Advisory, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Volunteer at Project Weber/RENEW

Special awards/scholarships received: Young Leader Award, Civic Leadership Award, U.S. Army National ROTC Scholarship Winner, National JROTC Essay Contest Winner, JROTC Superior Cadet Award, JROTC Distinguished Cadet Award (4x winner), Alice Hall Allen – Class of 1935 Scholarship, NHS Spirit of Excellence Award, Ross Scholarship, Paul Bucci Service Award, US Marine Scholastic Excellence Award.

Best high school memory: Traveling to Dayton, Ohio, for WGI World Championships with indoor percussion and spending time with classmates and friends. From performing together to late-night laughs and inside jokes, those moments made high school unforgettable.

Who helped you succeed in high school: My parents, friends, teachers, administrators and counselors all helped me succeed in high school. I am especially thankful for my JROTC instructors CSM Moniz, COL Lafferty and LTC Murray for teaching me discipline and leadership, and my band director Mr. Arsenault for pushing me to perform at my best and showing me the value of commitment and hard work.

Advice for next year’s class: Pace yourself, but don’t hold back. Take ownership of your time, your voice and your goals, as no one else will do it for you. Learn to balance ambition with reflection, and don’t confuse being busy with being purposeful. The most lasting growth often comes from moments of quiet effort and uncomfortable honesty. And most importantly, enjoy high school ... it's where you'll find unexpected friendships, discover what excites you and create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Alyssa Pereira

Name: Alyssa Pereira

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 3rd

Future Plans (education): I plan to attend Western New England University to study health sciences on the pre-PA track.

Future Plans (career): I will be a physician assistant, hopefully in the pediatric specialty.

High school activities and any position held: Class council (president for junior and senior year), Lacrosse (captain for junior and senior year), Soccer (4-year varsity player), National Art Honor Society (vice president for senior year), National Honor Society, Student Leadership

Special awards/scholarships received: Highest honors (freshman-senior year), All-academic awards (soccer and lacrosse), Third Team All-Division (soccer senior year), Second Team All-Division (lacrosse junior year), Alice Sullivan Perseverance Award (soccer senior year), U.S. Marines Distinguished Athletic Award, Student Council Scholarship Award, Byron L. Holsombach Scholarship, Ted Scripsack Memorial Scholarship, Alice Hall Allen, Class of 1935 Scholarship, Ross Scholarship.

Best high school memory: My best memory in high school has been playing lacrosse. I love getting to play with my childhood best friend in a sport we both love.

Who helped you succeed in high school: My lacrosse coach helped me gain the confidence I need to get through the challenges of high school. Coach Salois helped me to become a better athlete, student and friend.

Advice for next year’s class: My advice is to live in the moment. Time passes quickly, so don't spend too much time dwelling on the past or hoping for the future.

Alan Chen

Name: Alan Chen

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 4th

Future Plans (education): Attend Brown University to study applied mathematics

Future Plans (career): Work within the field of data science

High school activities and any position held: Thunderbolt Sports Media, Math Team, Chess Club, Science Olympiad, Indoor and Outdoor Track/Field, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society.

Special awards/scholarships received: Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, QuestBridge USA Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Finalist, Elks Most Valuable Student Semifinalist, Honey Dew Donuts Scholarship, Ross Scholarship, National Spanish Exam Silver Medalist, HarborOne ONECommunity Scholarship.

Best high school memory: Exploring nature with my friends!

Who helped you succeed in high school: My family and friends, who afforded me to have fun along the way.

Advice for next year’s class: Balance having fun with staying on top of your responsibilities.

Madeline Flinn

Name: Madeline Flinn

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 5th

Future Plans (education): Boston College

Future Plans (career): Occupational Therapist

High school activities and any position held: I was captain of the girls soccer and lacrosse teams, secretary of class council, a part of East’s Student Leadership, in National Honor Society, involved in the Partners Program, a mentor at William R. Dutemple Elementary School and did an internship at Dutemple.

Special awards/scholarships received: I was awarded the Brown University Book Award, Excellence in History Award, Pell Medal for United States History, and the RIIL Alice Sullivan Perseverance Award for soccer.

Best high school memory: My best high school memories come from being a part of my school’s soccer and lacrosse teams. Win or lose, my teammates and coaches made it a truly enjoyable experience that I will always cherish.

Who helped you succeed in high school: I had a great support system at East, but specifically my guidance counselor, Mrs. Murphy. She always encouraged me to push myself academically and never doubted me in my college journey. My family was also a large part of my success. They motivated me to always try my best and never give up.

Advice for next year’s class: Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to try! Everything starts with showing up.

Miles D'Arconte

Name: Miles D'Arconte

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 6th

Future Plans (education): Colgate University

Future Plans (career): Major in Economics, minor in Philosophy

High school activities and any position held: Captain of the Esports Team, Captain of the Chess Club, Captain of the Math Team, Captain of Science Olympiad, Peer Math Tutoring and Cross Country.

Special awards/scholarships received: Picerne Family Foundation Scholarship, MIT Nest Science Award, CHSE Excellence in Mathematics, Ross Scholarship, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and Rhode Island Honor Society.

Best high school memory: Being excited to go to school every morning because all my friends were amazing people who all helped me create countless memories.

Who helped you succeed in high school: All my amazing teachers, my wonderful classmates, my guidance counselor, but most of all my family.

Advice for next year’s class: Don't let anything stop you. Whatever challenges come your way, pushing through them will help you grow into a stronger, better version of yourself.

Caroline Brennick

Name: Caroline Brennick

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 7th

Future Plans (education): Smith College

Future Plans (career): Undecided

High School activities and any position held: Cross-Country Team Captain, Track & Field Team Captain, Math Team Member, National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society Historian.

Special awards/scholarships received: Smith College Book Award, Excellence in Social Sciences Award, Cranston High School Athletics Award, Vincent D. Morgera Memorial Scholarship, Ross Scholarship, Bernard McLaughlin Scholarship, CLCF Castiglioni Scholarship and CLCF Passing the Baton Scholarship.

Best high school memory: Trigonometry class

Who helped you succeed in high school: My dad and mom

Advice for next year’s class: Don't let opportunities pass by you.

Ryan Chan

Name: Ryan Chan

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 8th

Future Plans (education): George Washington University

Future Plans (career): Biomedical Engineering

High school activities and any position held: Chief-Editor of Yearbook, Class Council Treasurer 2023-2024 and Vice-President 2024-2025, Crochet & Knitting Club, Vice-President of Kindness Club, Girls Lacrosse Manager, Indoor Track & Field, Volunteer for Beautè for Congress, National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Donor for Warm Up America! Foundation, Mentee at Brown University’s Medicine Pathway, Intern at Eden Park, 400+ hours of volunteering and Starbucks Partner.

Special awards/scholarships received: St. Michael’s Book Award for Academic Achievement and Social Conscience, National Honor Society’s Spirit of Excellence Award, Earl Tasca Scholarship, Picerne Family Foundation Scholarship, Ross Scholarship and Thunderbolts Alumni Association Scholarship

Best high school memory: Spending time with all my friends at events like prom or watching all the girls’ lacrosse games.

Who helped you succeed in high school: My entire family, incredible friends, teachers and guidance counselor!

Advice for next year’s class: Cherish the time you have left your senior year with either your friends or family because it truly does fly by!

Jonathan Quiroa

Name: Jonathan Quiroa

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 9th

Future Plans (education): Brown University & Brown's Alpert's Medical School (PLME)

Future Plans (career): I plan on studying Biomedical Engineering with the hope to get through medical school to then specialize in some type of surgery.

High school activities and any position held: CHSE Marching Band Drum Major, JROTC Battalion XO, Science Club, Indoor Percussion Section Captain, Tri-M Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society, Varsity Volleyball Player, TSM Member and Onward Club's Honorific Program.

Special awards/scholarships received: U.S. Presidential Scholar Semi-Finalist, QuestBridge Finalist, Class of 2025 Scholarship, Ross Scholarship, Agnes Meade Tramonti Memorial Scholarship and AP Scholar.

Best high school memory: Exploring Providence during my freshman year with friends during the winter as we slipped and fell on the sidewalks.

Who helped you succeed in high school: My mom, friends, and teachers such as Mr. Maynard, Mr. Berstein and Mr. Chun.

Advice for next year’s class: Sometimes all you need is a break to reset and get yourself back on track, so make time for yourself and your mental health.

Mia Chak

Name: Mia Chak

High School: Cranston High School East

Rank in Class: 10^th

Future Plans (education): Attending the University of Rhode Island through the College of Pharmacy (Pharm.D. 0-6)

Future Plans (career): Become a pharmacist and work in the hospital environment.

High school activities and any position held: Yearbook Committee Co-President, Kindness Club Co-Vice President, National Honor Society member, RI Honor Society member, Crochet & Knitting Club member and Donor and Mu Alpha Theta member.

Special awards/scholarships received: Bowdoin Book Award, Ross Scholarship, The Agnes Meade Tramonti Memorial Scholarship and Vincent D. Morgera Memorial Scholarship.

Best high school memory: Spending time with all my friends. Ms. Conte's Anatomy and Physiology class. Getting the opportunity to experience the Medical Pathways Career and Technical Program with Mrs. Ricci and Ms. Sinapi.

Who helped you succeed in high school: My parents and teachers helped me succeed in high school.

Advice for next year’s class: Don't be afraid of change and always try your best.