Hartford Public Schools -

VALEDICTORIAN: Karen Maeda
Bulkeley High School Capital Community College. She is first generation and immigrated to the US just a few years ago. 

SALUTATORIAN Ashaya Lumpkin Bulkeley High School Capital Community College with plans to transfer to a 4 year school after earning her Associates degree. She is first generation in her family to attend college.

VALEDICTORIAN: Jenessa Pearson Capital Preparatory Magnet School University of Connecticut
“Fear dominates most peoples lives. Fear of loss. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Fear of loneliness.” – 50 Cent

SALUTATORIAN: Deejanae Henry  Capital Preparatory Magnet School University of Connecticut
“Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations. Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in” – Oliver Goldsmith

VALEDICTORIAN Jaanai Winn
Classical Magnet School
University of Connecticut:  Intended Major –  Linguistics
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” – Dalai Lama

SALUTATORIAN Dwight Biggs
Classical Magnet School
Howard University: Intended Major – Physical Therapy
“You have to be able to accept failure to get better.” –Lebron James

VALEDICTORIAN Andrea D’Oleo
Great Path Academy
UConn Nursing Program
Philosophy: ” Everything happens for a reason.”

SALUTATORIAN  Amanda D’Oleo
Great Path Academy
UConn, Undecided
Philosophy: “It is in our darkest moments when we must focus to see the light.”

VALEDICTORIAN Cristopher Pineda Duran
Hartford Public High School
Trinity College: Major – Undecided CIAC Scholar-Athlete For 2022-2023
Life Philosophy: Hard work beats talent any day

SALUTATORIAN Luis A. Cruz
Hartford Public High School
Central Connecticut State University Major: Mechanical/Civic Engineering
Life Philosophy: If you want to fly, you have to get rid of what holds you down

Hartford Promise Scholarship Recipient Ereza Horuni
Hartford Public High School College: Trinity College Major: Computer Science
As the daughter of Albanian parents, Ereza has overcome many challenges to rise to the top of her class. She volunteers for many school activities, while assisting with her disabled sibling at home.
Life Philosophy: Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.

 Class President and 2023 Jacob L. and Lewis Fox Foundation Scholarship Recipient Christopher D. Torres
Hartford Public High School
College: University of Connecticut at Storrs, Ct Major: Business, area of concentration undecided
Life Philosophy: You are your best advocate

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Scholarship And Hartford County Bar Association Scholarship Recipient Delanjo D Wright
Hartford Public High School
College: University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT
Major: Exercise Science with a minor in English
Life Philosophy: Embracing growth and fostering meaningful connections

VALEDICTORIAN Lilith Rampertab Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts
University of Connecticut Psychological Sciences
“Still struggling, still shining.” -Rari O’Neal

SALUTATORIAN Melanie Loubriel  Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts
Shenandoah University, Chemistry (Pre-Pharmacy)
“One day at a time. I know I’ve got this.”

VALEDICTORIAN Dzenita Hamzabegovic Sport & Medical Sciences Academy University of Connecticut – Intended major: Healthcare Management
She was a member of SMSA’s Varsity Volleyball team, enjoys reading and is Bosnian.
Life Philosophy – “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

CO-SALUTATORIAN Alyis Godbee
Sport and Medical Sciences Academy
University of Hartford – Intended major: Politics and Government
He will be playing baseball for UHART, aspires to become a lawyer and is an identical twin.
Life Philosophy – “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” – Colin Powell

CO-SALUTATORIAN Zaynn Godbee
Sport and Medical Sciences Academy University of Hartford – Intended major: Politics and Government
He will be playing baseball for UHART, aspires to be politically active in the future and is an identical twin.
Life Philosophy – “No matter the circumstances that you may be going through, just push through it.” – Ray Lewis

VALEDICTORIAN Taylor Wilson
Thomas Snell Weaver High School University of Southern California (Psychology)
“Once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack”

SALUTATORIAN Chamere Francis Thomas Snell Weaver High School UCONN (Psychology)
“Remember who you are and what you stand for” -my mom