Where Are Valedictorian, Salutatorian Of Glen Rock High School Going To College? Find Out

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Some of the country's most competitive universities now have acceptance rates of 5 to 10 percent. But still, Bergen County students are making the grade.

Glen Rock High School recently announced their valedictorian and salutatorian — and the students revealed their college choices.

The Class of 2025 valedictorian is Yeji Kim. The Class of 2025 salutatorian is Sophie He.

"An extraordinary individual who embodies dedication, brilliance, and kindness, Yeji Kim is trulydeserving of the honor of Valedictorian," the school said in a release. "GRHS Principal Michelle Giurlando said while Yeji is the kind of person who makes excellence look effortless, her peers and teachers know the opposite is reality."

“Behind every achievement is her unwavering determination, relentless curiosity, and a work ethic that leaves the rest of us in awe,” Giurlando said. “During her sophomore year at the NJ Science League competition, Yeji spotted and reported an error on the state test...she is a scientist at heart, approaching every challenge with precision, passion, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.”

Kim founded two clubs—the Sports Medicine Club and the Computational Linguistics Club.

"She pursues knowledge not simply for personal success, but to positively impact the lives of others," said the release. "Whether volunteering more than 150 hours at Valley Hospital or participating in the New Jersey Medical School SMART Program, Yeji is already leaving her mark on the medical community well before officially beginning her career as a doctor. Throughout all her accomplishments, Yeji remains one of the kindest and most positive individuals. She has a rare gift for bringing lightness to serious situations, lifting others."

Kim will attend Case Western Reserve University, a highly selective school whose student body has an average SAT of 1450.

Sophie He

One of the school’s most accomplished scholars, Sophie He, the Class of 2025 salutatorian, will have completed 17 Advanced Placement (AP) courses by the end of her senior year, the school said.

"Her intellectual curiosity and dedication to academic excellence are evident in her pursuit of a rigorous course load, particularly in challenging STEM subjects," the school said. "She earned a perfect score on the PSAT, qualifying as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, and demonstrated her mathematical talent with a second place finish in the Bergen County Math League ... As vice president of the Public Forum Debate Club, she has showcased outstanding leadership and organizational skills, helping to grow club membership through her innovative efforts to make debate more accessible and engaging."

"In addition, as president of the Girls Who Code Club, Sophie has inspired young women to pursue interests in technology by organizing coding projects, fundraisers, and field trips."

“Sophie is an empathetic and thoughtful individual,” said Ms. Giurlando. “Her kindness is evident in her interactions with others, whether she’s helping beginner debaters build confidence or supporting her Kumon students through challenging topics."

In the fall, Sophie will attend Columbia University and majoring in applied mathematics, the school said.