Penn Class of 2021 features 17 Valedictorians

 

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 17 students have been named Valedictorians for the Class of 2021.

Aida Ansari, Benjamin Bedient, Jayden Bell, Benjamin Boardley, Samik Ghosh, Oliver Hu, Logan Huchko, Maya Kvaratskhelia, Shubham Lahane, Lauren Latimer, Evan Li, Ryan Ludwig, Mattheos Mattheos,  Joseph Radde, Grace Waddell, David Wang and Marissa White will represent the Class of 2021 at Penn’s Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Friday, June 4, at TCU/Freed Field. 

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of our 2021 Valedictorians,” Galiher said. “Their commitment to excellence in the classroom and with their extracurricular endeavors is impressive, and I am excited to see what they will accomplish as they move forward with their future plans.”

Click here for details about Senior Recognition Night held on May 11.

AIDA ANSARI

Parents: Adeela Alizai and Asad Ansari

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Spanish and pre-med

Career plans: Physician

Activities/honors: Key Club, National Honor Society, Freshmen Mentoring, Tennis.

BENJAMIN BEDIENT

Parents: Stephanie Bedient and John Bedient

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Purdue/Biomedical Engineering

Career plans: Development of Medicine and Human Technology.

Activities/honors: Wrestling (2017-2020), Football (2017-2019), TEAMS, Technology Students Association (2018-2020) National Finalist (attended National Finals in Washington, D.C., 2019), Richard Lugar Scholar, Debate (2019-2021), State Finalist for World Schools in 2019-2020.

JAYDEN BELL

Parents: Angela Bell and Jason Bell

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Career plans: Finance and Computer Science

Activities/honors: Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Indiana University Kelley Scholar, National Merit Scholar Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Penn Medical Club President, DECA P.R. & Fundraising Officer, TEAMS, Research at the University of Notre Dame.

BENJAMIN BOARDLEY

Parents: Amy Boardley and Michael Boardley

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Undecided

Activities/honors: Track and Cross Country, National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshmen Mentor.

SAMIK GHOSH

Parents: Manuka Ghosh, Sue Brew (foster parent) and Arun Ghosh

Elementary school: Reyerson

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: UCLA

Career plans: Law or economics.

Activities/honors: Soccer, Cross Country State Finalist, Track, Model U.N., TEAMS, Leukemia Lymphoma Society volunteer, Freshmen Mentoring.

OLIVER HU

Parents: Linda Hu and Bin Hu

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Purdue

Career plans: Medicine

Activities/honors: Science Bowl, TEAMS, Tennis.

LOGAN HUCHKO

Parents: Amy Huchko and John Huchko

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Kelley School of Business

Career plans: Dentistry

Activities/honors: Football, WHME Student-Athlete of the Week, Lacrosse, Track, Kingsmen Community Care, National Honor Society, DECA, Homecoming Court nominee, National Honor Society officer, Kelley Momentum Leader Scholarship Recipient, Indiana University Provost Academic Scholarship.

MAYA KVARATSKHELIA

Parents: Dani Edson and Gia Kvaratskhelia

Elementary school: St. Joseph

Middle school: St. Joseph

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Physics and Violin Performance

Career plans: Physics professor or lawyer.

Activities/honors: Five-time Geoffroy Award winner in the Fischoff Competition, National Merit Finalist, National AP scholar, Rising Star of Indiana, Concertmaster of Indiana All State Orchestra, Fine Arts and Science Academic Super Bowl Captain, TEAMS, Freshmen Mentoring, German-American Partnership Program, German Club, Kingsmen Court, IML, South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra, Fischoff Mentoring Academy, Around the World in 180 days

SHUBHAM LAHANE

Parents: Pravina Lahane and Sanjeev Lahane

Elementary school: Mary Frank

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Kelley School of Business

Career plans: Health and Sciences

Activities/honors: Tennis, National Honor Society, Model U.N., DECA.

LAUREN LATIMER

Parents: Kim Latimer-Grannan, Rob Grannan and the late Dewitt Latimer

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Biochemistry

Activities/honors: Freshmen Mentor, TEAMS, German-American Partnership Program, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Take a Jump Equestrian Team, Camp Counselor at Fallen Oaks Farm and Stables.

EVAN LI

Parents: Yajuan Zhang and Yongtao Li

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Johns Hopkins University/Neuroscience

Career plans: Medicine

Activities/honors: Science Academic Super Bowl, TEAMS Competition, South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, Internships & Research at the University of Notre Dame, Volunteering, Academic All-Star, National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, and U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidate.

RYAN LUDWIG

Parents: Jennifer Ludwig and David Ludwig

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame/business analytics

Career plans: Sports analytics or law

Activities/honors: Tennis captain, National Honor Society president, Handwritten Hearts Club co-president, Piano, TEAMS, Key Club, Track, I-Ball, National Merit Finalist.

MATTHEOS MATTHEOS

Parents: Nektaria Mattheos and Pete Mattheos

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Activities/honors: Tennis, National Honor Society, Key Club, DECA.

JOSEPH RADDE

Parents: Mary Radde and Robert Radde

Elementary school: Kennedy

Middle school: LaSalle

College plans: Indiana University/Biology

Career plans: Doctor

Activities/honors: Two-time Swimming Relay State Champion, Scholastic All-American, Freshmen Mentoring, TEAMS.

GRACE WADDELL

Parents: Dr. Jennifer Waddell and Dr. Michael Waddell

Elementary school: Horizon

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Glynn Family Honors Program/neuroscience and mathematics

Career plans: M.D./Ph.D., scientific/medical researcher and/or professor.

Activities/honors: Lilly Endowment Scholar; National Merit Scholar Finalist; National AP Scholar; candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program; Head Coach of Discovery Middle School MathCounts (2019-2021), Assistant Coach of Discovery Middle School MathCounts (2017-2019); Captain of the Math, Social Studies, and Science Academic Super Bowl Teams; member of the Interdisciplinary Academic Super Bowl team; mathematics competitions (2-time National Bronze Medalist and 2-time Honorable Mention at MathCon National Finals, Indiana Math League, American Mathematics Competition, etc.); Indiana All-State Honor Band, and Indiana All-State Band Percussionist; National Honor Society; Tri-M International Honor Society; Key Club; After-School Jazz Orchestra Vibraphonist/Drumset Player; TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science): 2-time Team Captain, 3-time National Qualifier, and second place team in Indiana; seven-time Gold Medalist at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Competitions; Free Mathematics Tutor; Tap Dancer; Lead Altar Server and Thurifer at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

DAVID WANG

Parents: BiLi Ni and David Wang

Elementary school: Walt Disney

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Undecided

Career plans: Civil Engineering

Activities/honors: PATH, Kingsmen Court, Technology Students Association, Teams.

MARISSA WHITE

Parents: Denise White and Jeff White

Elementary school: Bittersweet

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Career plans: Engineering

Activities/honors: National Honor Society Vice President, Girl Talk Vice President, Student Leader and Kingsmen Court Representative for Kingsmen Tutors, DECA, Key Club.