Name: Sarah Chin

Rank in Class: 1

Future Plans (education): To attend Syracuse University and major in Industrial and Interaction Design.

Future Plans (career): To pursue a career as a UX/UI Designer or Product Designer.

High school activities and any positions held: National Honors Society, National Art Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society, Rhode Island Honors Society, Science Olympiad Captain, Head of Yearbook Graphic Design, Historian of the Multicultural Student Union, Falcon Student Ambassador, SkillsUSA, Academic Decathlon, Chemistry Club, Red Cross Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Internship at Occipital, Internship at WaterFire Arts Center.

Special awards/scholarships received: Mayoral Scholarship, Excellence in English Award, CHSW Art & Design Award, Science Olympiad Medals in Forestry, Ornithology, Rocks and Minerals, Write It Do it, Academic Decathlon Medal in Art, SkillsUSA Silver Medal in Advertising Design, AP Scholar Award.

Best High School Memory: My best memory from high school was going to Atlanta for the SkillsUSA Nationals event. Not only was I able to meet and compete alongside many talented students from across the country, but I also became better acquainted with my classmates as we explored the Georgia Aquarium, rode the ferris wheel, and so much more. Not to mention that you truly get to connect with everyone when you’re up at 3 AM, waiting at the airport alongside them!

Who helped you succeed in High School? My teachers contributed to my success, as they were always there to support me whenever I had one of my many questions, made me feel comfortable contributing all of my ideas to discussions, and believed in my capabilities as a student. In addition, My family enabled me to succeed, because they never pressured me to be perfect and always encouraged me to follow my passions, which gave me the space to grow into a person guided by my own motivation to excel.

Advice for next year's class: While you may feel the pressure to compete academically with your classmates, remember that the only person whose success that you have the ability to control is your own. So, do not think of yourself as a person who needs to outmatch others, but rather as an individual competing with yourself to become someone better than you were before. When considering other students, then, allow yourself to be inspired by their impressive qualities, and cherish the opportunity you have to grow closer with them– it will not last forever!

Name: Christian Mak

Rank in Class: 2

Future Plans (education): I am going to URI for Mechanical Engineering on a full ride (Thomas M. Ryan scholarship).

Future Plans (career): I’m not sure yet.

High school activities and any positions held: Organized a volleyball tournament+gofundme to build 2 wells in Cambodia, Volleyball Captain (also First Team All Division / Third Team All State), Freshman Mentor, Helped Coach Unified Volleyball.

Special awards/scholarships received: Thomas M. Ryan Scholarship, Ralph C. and Joyce L. Vossler Scholarship, Veterans Memorial Fund Scholarship, National Merit General Dynamics Corporation Scholarship, Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award.

Best High School Memory: My best memory in high school was presenting my senior project in my Robotics class and watching all my classmates show off their cool projects too.

Who helped you succeed in High School? My parents and teachers help push me to always do the best I can. My friends helped keep me motivated and made school fun.

Advice for next year's class: Find things you care about and make a change. Even if it is hard work, create opportunities to help others because the results will always be worth it.

Name: Trenton Kiernan

Rank in Class: 3

Future Plans (education): To attend Brown University with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering.

Future Plans (career): To pursue a career in the medical field.

High school activities and any positions held: Varsity Swim Captain, Math Team, American Red Cross Club Vice President, Class Council, Falcon Ambassador, Chemistry Club, SkillsUSA, Science Olympiad, Rhode Island Honor Society, National Honor Society.

Special awards/scholarships received: D3 Boys Swim Champions (2024), NMSC Commended Student, Jai S. Lim Scholarship Award in Mathematics, Excellence in Science Award, Mathematical Excellence in AP Calculus Award, Highest Honor Roll, AP Scholar with Honor Award. National Honor Society. RI Honor Society, Cranston Herald Athlete of the Week (March 2023).

Best High School Memory: Our Division III Swimming Championship victory brought an end to a 50 year drought and was one of the brightest moments of my high school career.

Who helped you succeed in High School? My father has been with me to support me and fish me out of the deepest trenches I’ve faced. I would also like to thank my long-time friends for bringing out the best in me (See Rank #7 and Rank #9).

Advice for next year's class: Set goals for yourself and strive to accomplish them.

Name: Peter Vachon

Rank in Class: 4

Future Plans (education): Brown University

Future Plans (career): Biomedical Engineering

High school activities and any positions held: Class President (4), NHS Vice-President (2), Varsity: Soccer (4), Swim (1), Golf Captain (4), and Falcon Ambassador (3).

Special awards/scholarships received: Presidential Scholars Program Semi-Finalist, URI Chemistry Bowl First Place, Skills USA Medalist, RI Anchor Award Best In Category, Scholastic Art Awards Silver Key, CLCF Scholarship, RIIL Distinguished Achievement Award, RIIL Athlete of the year Nominee, RI Civic Leadership Award, Lieutenant Government Leadership Award.

Best High School Memory: My best high school memory was Senior Prom. Not only was being a part of the planning process a rewarding experience within itself, watching everyone have fun and being together with my class for one of the last times was a really good time.

Who helped you succeed in High School? My Mom, Dad, and sister were all instrumental in my success during High School. My Dad certainly contributed to my work ethic and motivation as he always spoke of my ability to do better and to perform at a higher level. While he was evidently proud of me despite my achievement, I found intrinsic motivation in attempting to succeed at a higher level. My Mom and sister aided in the social aspect of high school experience. I feel as though my sense of humor and social skills are a direct result of growing up around my mom and sister and I’m very grateful for their lighthearted and humorous attitude that has definitely rubbed off on me.

Advice for next year's class: While it’s very important to take in an interest in your school work, and to ensure you are working hard and staying focused, it’s equally as important to maintain your relationships and prioritize your memories. High school is a very unique experience and any success you have will feel far more rewarding if you managed to succeed while simultaneously having a good time. 

Name: Thea Marses

Rank in Class: 5

Future Plans (education): Providence College

Future Plans (career): Business Management 

High school activities and any positions held: Cranston West Girls Varsity Soccer (all four years), Cranston West Girls Varsity Soccer Captain, Student Leadership Board, Student Focus Group, Falcon Student Ambassador, Best Buddies, Unified Basketball, Student Council Delegate, Class Council Delegate.

Special awards/scholarships received: Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award, National Honor Society Member, Rhode Island Honor Society Member, Spanish National Honors Society, GFWC Cranston Community Women’s Club Scholarship Winner, Cranston Association of School Administrators Scholarship Winner, Cranston High School Athletics Scholarship Winner.

Best High School Memory: Being apart of the Varsity Girl’s Soccer team all four years and being Captain my Senior year was my best high school memory. Being able to exhibit my leadership skills, be apart of a community, and know that I was able to make an impact on younger players are takeaways I will always carry on with me.

Who helped you succeed in High School? My family has helped me succeed throughout high school. Each one of them plays an intricate role in my life and are my biggest support system in any endeavor I take on. I owe all my successes to every one of them and I am a direct reflection of their hard work and dedication.

Advice for next year's class: My advice for next year’s class is to be yourself. Stay true to who you are as a person throughout high school and never feel like you have to change yourself for anyone. Always lead with your true intentions and treat others with kindness and respect.

Name: Jennifer Tran

Rank in Class: 6

Future Plans (education): Attending URI in their PharmD Program

Future Plans (career): Research or Clinical Pharmacist

High school activities and any positions held: Member/Co-Leader of MCSU, Member/Co-Leader of Chem Club, Member of SADD, National Honor Society, Archery and Outdoor Adventure, Co-Leader of Women’s Society.

Special awards/scholarships received: Jae S. Lim Scholarship Award in Science and Heart of a Scientist Award.

Best High School Memory: My time in my AP Biology class will always be my favorite memory at Cranston High School West.

Who helped you succeed in High School?: My father, Mr. Sacco, Mrs. Bose, Mr. Buonfiglio, Mr. Findlay, Mrs. Ray, and many more.

Advice for next year's class: You’re going to be thrown a lot of challenging obstacles but you must push yourself to overcome them. However, it is also important to let yourself rest. Spend time with your friends and go to events, but study hard as well. Balance is a key element to success.

Name: Ethan Chin

Rank in Class: 7

Future Plans (education): Boston University

Future Plans (career): Computer Engineering

High school activities and any positions held: Math Team, Swim Team, Track and Field, Marching Band, Concert Band, Falcon Ambassador, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, Cyber Patriot, Two Bronze medals in SkillsUSA, schoolwide third place for American High School Math Exam.

Special awards/scholarships received: DLLM Scholars Award.

Best High School Memory: I believe it’s impossible for me to name a single “best” memory. With some time I might be able to name my favorite classes, my favorite conversations, or my favorite events; yet I don’t believe anything would compare to my entire high school experience. At West, we lived like one family in sweet harmony. I learned that it wasn't too bad to talk to "strangers". Making new friends, going to new places, trying new things; whether it be walking along the shores sharing the stories of the day, taking a beautiful ride to explore a different state, or creating disorder between the silence of a class lesson, these past few years are my best memories, of which I won’t forget forever long.

Who helped you succeed in High School? Foremost, I must thank my parents. They never placed the stress I so dearly avoided onto my shoulders. They didn’t even get too mad when hearing of another test not studied or another class slept through. Secondly, I must direct a majority of praise to my siblings. They were always eager to lend a helping hand of alumni wisdom, with their years of connections making my time at school a dream sweet. Equally imperative, the seemingly bottomless intelligence and joy of my peers had allowed me the privilege of inheriting such energies. I had never seen myself as a hardworking or "smart" individual, but the effort my classmates and friends put into their lives influenced me to follow suit.

Advice for next year's class: Understand how your mind learns and studies efficiently, you’ll constantly need the skill of learning, which you may be all too comfortable with. Don’t forget to prioritize mental health and take a break every now and then. It may be ironic but there’s no point in a “top ten” if it ends up a curse. Yet, perhaps most importantly, have fun. No matter how challenging a task, have fun and you'll make everything look easy.

Name: Athena Muriel

High School: Cranston West

Rank in Class: 8

Future Plans (education): I will be attending Boston University in the fall majoring in Biomedical Engineering/pre-med. Eventually, I’d like to either attend medical school or continue my studies in biomedical engineering, specializing in neuroengineering.

Future Plans (career):  In either of my prospective career paths, medicine or engineering, I’d want to dedicate as much time as possible to research. I feel that new discoveries and developments in technology are the most substantial contributions I can offer.

High school activities and any positions held: Founder/President of the Cranston High School West American Red Cross Chapter, SkillsUSA, Science Olympiad, Math Team, Class Council, Westernettes.

Special awards/scholarships received: 2x Silver at Science Olympiad State Finals in Anatomy and Physiology, Silver at SkillsUSA Health Knowledge Bowl.

Best High School Memory: The pride I felt when, with the help of our community, we were able to give back to veterans and raise money to vaccinate underserved communities against measles and rubella. By the end of the year, we had donated several boxes of personal care necessities and winter clothing to the Department of Veterans Affairs and raised enough money for the Measles and Rubella Initiative to provide approximately 640 doses of vaccines.

Who helped you succeed in High School?: My mom by being my biggest cheerleader. My dad by teaching me why the work is worth it. My friends by reminding me to do my homework.

Advice for next year's class: Have fun.

Name: Nathaniel Latzman

High School: Cranston High School West

Rank in Class: Rank 9

Future Plans (education): I will be attending Brandeis University in the fall.

Future Plans (career): I plan to pursue a career in either humanities or environmental science.

High school activities and any positions held: Theater Club, Track Team, Multicultural student Union, National Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society, Free Peer Tutoring, library employee and volunteer.

Special awards/scholarships received: AP Scholar Award, URI Joseph W. Ince Award for chemistry contest 3rd place, Brandeis University humanities fellowship.

Best High School Memory: My best High School memory is marching on the football field during the halftime shows for the band.

Who helped you succeed in High School? My teachers helped me succeed in high school because they were there for me academically, as well as for mental support.

Advice for next year’s class: If you are struggling, whether it be academically or mentally, do not be afraid to reach out for help.

Name: Christopher Harvey

Rank in Class: 10

Future Plans (education): To attend Dartmouth College and major in Mechanical Engineering.

Future Plans (career):  To become either a mechanical or aerospace engineer.

High school activities and any positions held: Varsity Boys Volleyball (1,2,3,4), Volleyball Captain (4), Varsity Boys Swim (4), Math Team (3,4), SkillsUSA (3), Class Council Delegate (3,4), Unified Volleyball helper (3,4).

Special awards/scholarships received: National Merit Commended Student (3), 2nd Place Skills USA Mobile Robotics Technology (3), Rensselaer Medal Recipient (3), Boys Volleyball second team all division (3), Boys Volleyball all tournament team (3), Heart of a Mathematician Award (4), Castiglioni (CLCF) Award (4), NERVA Scholarship (4).

Best High School Memory: Making it to the Boys Volleyball finals my junior year and being awarded second team all division and all tournament team.

Who helped you succeed in High School? I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today without my parents. They always pushed me to succeed and they always went out of their ways to help me at every turn.

Advice for next year's class: Never underestimate yourself. Apply to big scholarships and apply to selective colleges, because you never know what might happen.