Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

The entire Manhasset schools community is thrilled to congratulate our Class of 2025 Valedictorian Julie Mingxin Chen and Salutatorian Grace Punzalan!

Julie and Grace both learned this incredible news after being called to Dr. Roder's office where administrators and school counselors were waiting to share in the surprise celebration.

The excitement continued as the students called their parents and said that Dr. Roder needed to speak with them. "No one is in trouble," he said. "Congratulations, your student is top in their class!"

Valedictorian Julie Mingxin Chen is an exceptional scholar and accomplished athlete who, despite her challenging academic schedule, always finds time to mentor and support younger students and those less fortunate. She is a member of the math, science, social studies, Spanish and national honor societies, a National Merit Scholarship finalist and Presidential Scholar nominee. With an aptitude and passion for computer science, Julie has participated in multiple research projects and been accepted to competitive programs, including a Claudius Legal Intelligence Internship and the Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program. During junior year, she found time to volunteer and provide English tutoring for children in Shexzehen, China who have been impacted by pneumoconiosis. As part of this program, Julie collected digital devices that were sent to the students to help with their studies. Outside the classroom, Julie has helped lead the Manhasset Crew team to the Scholastic Nationals for four years, including two years as team captain. In an effort to promote the sport that she loves, Julie has also coordinated the buddy program which encourages team building by paring novice and varsity athletes for training and support. She has also volunteered her times over the summer to providing instruction to aspiring rowers and to officiate races and organize team building activities. After graduation, Julie plans to major in computer science. 

Throughout her high school career, salutatorian Grace Punzalan has masterfully balanced scholastic excellence with thoughtful leadership and a tireless passion for environmental sustainability causes both locally and globally. She has served as president and vice president of the math and science Honor Societies and president of the Green Club, where she organized educational initiatives, clean up and tree planting events. Grace has been selected for numerous awards, including being named a National Merit Scholarship finalist, Presidential Scholar nominee, Coca-Cola Foundation Scholarship semifinalist and honored with the Rachel Carson Health Planet Award, a testament to her environmental advocacy. Since freshman year, she has dedicated hundreds of hours to science research projects with many focused on environmental science. Her innovative research has been recognized with awards at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair and earned national recognition from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. On the court, Grace has led the varsity volleyball team to victory as captain and recent has been named an All-Conference player and Scholar-Athlete. Grace plans to continue her study of environmental science after high school.

We are so proud of Julie and Grace and look forward to sharing this honor with them when they turn their tassels with fellow Class of 2025 graduates on June 27.

Time to start preparing those speeches!