Meet the Nottingham High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian!

Nottingham Valedictorian Feature – Henry Zhe-Heimerman

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I will be attending Johns Hopkins University, where I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering on a Pre-Med track. I’ll also be running track there. My ultimate goal is to become a doctor.
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? National Honor Society Co-President, Mock Trial, Key Club President, Senior Class Treasurer, Pit Band for school performances, Head of Lighting & Design for school performances, Piano Accompanist for Nottingham and Ed Smith Choruses, Captain of Cross Country team, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Cross Country
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? The best part of my time in high school has been the opportunities I’ve had to play music in different environments. I’ve also had the opportunity to take crazy advanced classes; and at Nottingham, I have had the freedom to do more than many other high schools offer.  
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? My proudest moment was getting a text from the coach at Johns Hopkins telling me that he was going to offer me a spot. All my sacrifice was finally paying off… all in one text.
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to the people! I’m excited to be in a place where people will push me to be the best version of myself all across the board.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? The best thing I’ve learned is how to advocate for myself and take advantage of every opportunity.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? My advice is to try everything – and don’t be afraid to recognize what you like the most and what you don’t like!
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I’ve always wanted to drive a fire truck! In all seriousness, I hope to become a doctor and come back to Syracuse – hopefully, with the skillset to not just be another cog in the system, but to be able to bring about real change in the healthcare system locally.
 

Nottingham Salutatorian Feature – Azmira Suljic

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I will be attending Princeton University, where I plan to study Politics with a minor in American Studies, on a Pre-Law track. I hope to one day become a lawyer or a politician.
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? Senior Class President, National Honor Society Co-President, Key Club Vice President, Captain of Girls Varsity Tennis team, Mock Trial, Upward Bound
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? The best part of my time in high school were the connections I built – not only with students, but with teachers. Our district is really diverse, and I’ve learned so much from so many people. I’m so grateful for that.  
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? I have two proudest moments! One was matching with Princeton through the QuestBridge National College Match program. I’ll be the first in my family to graduate from high school and to attend college. Earning a full ride scholarship to such a prestigious school has been a dream since I’ve been a little girl.
 
I was also so proud to win against F-M in the Mock Trial County Championship for the second year! To beat a suburban school with so many resources and where things are handed to them – especially with so many new people on our team – was such a great feeling.
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to the opportunities and resources that will be available to me. On a campus visit, for example, I spoke with a professor who won a Nobel Peace Prize! I’m excited to be able to focus on my area of study.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? Be true to who you are and what you believe. Don’t let negative side comments impact how you see yourself or how you present yourself to the world.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? Try everything! Explore everything you’re interested in. You’ll find out what you’re passionate about and you’ll meet so many great people!
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I hope to be able to buy my parents a home and help them retire. They’ve done so much to support me, and I really want to be able to repay them. I also help to be able to use my career to help marginalized communities here in Syracuse – to help policies in our area and to help children in the Syracuse City School District.