Meet the ITC Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian!

ITC Valedictorian Feature – ThanhThao Nguyen

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I’ll be attending Syracuse University, where I plan to study Biomedical Engineering. I’ve always had an interest in science; and when I took Physics my senior year, it was so hard but I really liked the challenge! I realized this would be a great path for me.
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? National Honor Society, Math Club, Book Club, Student Council, and our school’s new Arts & Crafts Club
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? The best part of my high school experience has been the friends I’ve made. I came in knowing no one! People approached me, and we have now been friends for four years. I value that and I hope those friendships continue on.  
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? My proudest moment in high school is being named Valedictorian along Raelin as Salutatorian. We started out as competitors and then became friends. What makes this so special for me is that it doesn’t just center around academics and grades – it also represents achieving something with my friend.
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I really like meeting new people, so I’m excited for that. I’m also excited for the classes! I’m excited to have more freedom in selecting my classes, and having a larger selection of courses to choose from in areas that interest me.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? I’ve learned that my own learning and growth is more important than a grade. I used to be so focused on grades – but my friends have helped alter my environment and shift my focus to be more balanced.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? My advice is to start building connections early with your teachers and counselors. Get involved – go to the college and career fairs. Talk to people! There are so many people in your school who can help you and there are so many opportunities – take them!
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I hope to be able to travel around many different areas with the people I love. My parents take my family traveling at least once every year, and I love taking in the beauty sceneries of different aspects of the world. I would love to work in a stable and challenging environment and be able to enjoy the time I have with everyone that means a lot to me.
 

ITC Salutatorian Feature – Raelin Gott

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I will be attending the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, where I plan to major in Civil Engineering and minor in Linguistics. When I was a child, I wanted to be an architect. Since taking Physics my junior year – and SUPA Physics my senior year – I realized that even better than architecture would be Civil Engineering… understanding how it all works!
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? National Honor Society, volleyball (4 years), track (2 years), Art Club, Math Club
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? My friends have been the best part of my high school experience. I came in to ITC with a lot of friends from middle school… it was like an ELMS to ITC pipeline! I also made a lot of friends through volleyball my freshman year, and through track. It’s been so nice to see those friendships continue through high school and to see those people become some of my best friends.
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? My proudest moment in high school was being named Salutatorian, alongside our Valedictorian, ThanhThao. I knew we were both in the running and I didn’t care who was at the top – I just wanted it to be the two of us. I’m also so proud of getting reconnected with my best friend again. We had lost touch for an entire year until she came to ITC, and it’s been so nice to rekindle that friendship.
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to the area I’ll be in. I’m excited to be in Boston… it’s a gorgeous area, a big city… there’s so much to do and I’ll never be bored. No matter what your interest is, there’s a club or community there to be a part of.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? I learned how to make friends. I learned that if you just start talking and don’t stop, eventually you’ll find something in common with everyone. Once you have that common thread, it’s easy for a friendship to develop.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? Grades aren’t the end of the world. One bad grade won’t ruin you! Get the work done, but keep a balance – make time for your friends, too. Get out there – there is so much to experience – including summer opportunities!
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I want to be the person that others turn to when they need help – especially working in a male-dominated field.