Five Valedictorians in NRHS Graduating Class

Normally, there is one valedictorian per graduating class. However, this year North Reading High School had five valedictorians who all shared very similar grade point averages.

Esha Jain, Jennifer Ma, Zofia Peach, Jennifer Crawford and Samantha Haley were all NRHS valedictorians this year. Each student had a grade point average within 100th of a decimal point of a 4.0.

According to Principal Jon Bernard, the students are all friends and enjoyed sharing the title.

"I think that is indeed a highly unique situation when five students can achieve a grade point average that is exactly the same to 100th of a decimal point," Bernard said. "It speaks to a very high level diligence and a willingness to meet the demands of extremely challenging high school courses, many of which are at the Advanced Placement level for these students.  Particularly nice is the fact that the five young ladies are very good friends and are thoroughly enjoying the fact that they are sharing such an honor. I am proud beyond words of their accomplishment."

Ma said that it is an honor to be valedictorian. She believes this achievement comes from natural abilities, but is mostly based on "what you put into it."

She plans to study Engineering Science and would like to get into the clean energy field.

Crawford was happy to hold the title and was proud to speak at graduation. 

"It's awesome that I get to share this with four of my very good friends," she said.

She plans to study English and Biochemistry, but has not made a final decision. 

All of us worked hard, and "each and everyone one of us deserves it," Jain said.

"I'm proud of everyone and really excited that the five of us are valedictorian," she told Patch.

Jain will be studying science and humanities and hopes to be a doctor.

Each senior has already chosen the college of their choice. Jain will attend Siena College, Ma will be packing for the University of Virginia, Peach will study at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Crawford will enroll in Hamilton College and Haley will be a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.