There were 26 Prince William County high school students honored this spring as salutatorians and valedictorians during 2019 graduation ceremonies. From computer science to bio-molecular engineering, these bright young minds will fan out to seek degrees at major U.S. colleges and universities, more than half of which are in the state of Virginia. 

Valedictorian and salutatorian criteria are based primarily on cumulative grade point average, and more than one student may qualify. Gar-Field High School named two valedictorians, and Forest Park High School named two salutatorians this year.

Battlefield High School

Valedictorian, Nathaniel Chong
Chong plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Tae Hun Lee (pictured right)
Lee will be attending Duke University this fall. He hopes to study computer science and pursue a Pre-Med track.

Lee dreams of becoming a medical missionary and wishes to bring smiles to faces by healing physical and emotional pains of people, regardless of their social status.

 

 

 

Brentsville District High School

Valedictorian, Shannon Long Hutchens
Hutchens will take a gap year in order to attend Army job training, after which she hopes to deploy. In the fall of 2020, she plans to attend Virginia Tech (VT) and study chemical engineering.

Hutchens will continue to strive toward becoming an Army officer. She said, “I hope to help others through service in the military and be a role model for girls as a female in STEM.”

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Jasmine Faye Meints
Meints will attend Virginia Tech (VT) in the fall. She plans to double major in aerospace and civil engineering, and minor in political science. 

Through her studies, Meints hopes to make a difference in the lives of people around the globe.  

 

  

 

 

 

Colgan High School

Valedictorian, Nina Jannatifar
Jannatifar will be attending the University of Virginia (UVA) as an Echols Scholar. She plans to major in biochemistry and later study pharmacology.

Jannatifar hopes her studies will help her mission to alleviate the financial burden on families with patients who suffer from devastating diseases by helping to make medication more accessible, more affordable, and convenient.

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Lillian Yiamei Cai
Cai will attend Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on a Presidential Scholarship. She plans to major in biology.

Cai plans to practice medicine in the future, and hopes to focus on integrating holistic healthcare into modern medicine.

 

 

 

 

Forest Park High School

Valedictorian, Richard Alexander Romano
Romano will attend the United States Naval Academy to study aerospace engineering.

Romano said, “I hope to serve our country and inspire others to follow the same path. I would also like to become a political leader.”

 

 

 

 

Co-salutatorian, Joshua Matthew Mehr
Mehr will attend the University of Virginia (UVA) to study computer science.

Mehr said that through his schooling, he has learned to persevere through tough times with a positive attitude, and he hopes to improve the lives of people all around the world.

 

 

 

 

Co-salutatorian, Christopher Taylor
Taylor will attend Virginia Tech (VT) this fall. His studies will begin in general engineering, but he plans to major in mechanical engineering and mathematics.

Upon reflecting on his high school career, Taylor recognized a lesson he has learned about success. “Being successful is much more than getting good grades; it's about doing what you enjoy the most while also trying your hardest to push the boundaries of what you understand about that thing you enjoy so much,” said Taylor.

 

 

 

Freedom High School

Valedictorian, Aimen Khan
Khan will be attending Swarthmore College with a full scholarship this fall. She plans to double major in English and biochemistry with the intent to attend medical school.

Khan wants to become a cardiac surgeon and engage in biomedical research to make procedures and treatments more readily available to people. As for studying English, Khan said, “I would also like to become a novelist and write stories that change the way people think, both about themselves and the world, enabling them to make a positive impact upon it.”

 

Salutatorian, Iqra Noor
Noor will attend Harvard University this fall, where she plans to major in neuroscience and psychology with a minor in civil rights and applied and abstract linear algebra.

Noor said that her time in high school taught her, “Education is what you make out of it. It does not matter which school you go to. As long as you are dedicated, driven, and willing to give back to your community, you will keep rising and giving your life a purpose.”

 

 

 

Gar-Field High School

Co-valedictorian, Sanjida Benta Azad
Azad plans to attend the University of Virginia (UVA) in the fall. She plans to major in biology in hopes of becoming an optometrist in the future.

“I want my studies to make me a better version of myself. Growing up, I struggled with my vision. Receiving glasses from a young age turned my life around. I believe that service to others is essential to my life, and by becoming an optometrist in the future, I will be providing others with the best gift I received; the gift of sight,” explained Azad.

 

 

 

Co-valedictorian, Mohammad Abbas Raza
Raza will be attending the University of Virginia (UVA) this fall. He plans to major in computer science within the UVA School of Engineering.

Raza said, “Through my studies and future career, I hope to have a positive impact on the world by ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and equal access to educational resources in impoverished areas.”

 

  

 

 

Salutatorian, Charles Ezra Salvosa Cabauatan
Cabauatan will be attending Virginia Tech (VT), where he plans to pursue a degree in computer science.

Looking back at his time in high school, Cabauatan said, “Gar-Field provided me with a diverse student body that represented different nations of the world which is unique from other schools I attended. This helped me look past differences and learn more about the strength in opening my mind to different perspectives.”

 

 

 

Hylton High School

Valedictorian, Chris Thien Le
Le will attend the University of Virginia (UVA) and plans to study engineering.

When asked what mark he hopes to leave on the world, he said, “I wish to do my part. Perhaps not be a great "mover and shaker", but instead, contribute through the acts of daily life. Whether it is finding a way to better technology through engineering, teaching a nephew, or generally, being a good person.”

 

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Timothy Hyuneui Keunbyul Cha
Cha will attend the University of Virginia (UVA) this fall to study computer science. 

While reflecting on his high school career, Cha said he remembers a specific lesson he learned in AP English Literature, “Ms. Nelson once told me that life has a funny way of working out; it doesn't always give you what you want but what you need, and how we accept what life gives us shapes who we are.”

 

 

 

 

Osbourn Park High School

Valedictorian, Mallika Datta
Datta will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on a Presidential full-ride scholarship and plans to double major in bioinformatics and psychology on the pre-medicine track.

Datta hopes that her studies will allow her to channel her passions and aid in solving pressing issues of today’s society.

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Danbi Rhee
Rhee will attend Johns Hopkins University with honors this fall. She plans to study chemical and bio-molecular engineering. 

Rhee said her studies at The Governor’s School and the biotechnology program at Osborn Park helped develop her interests in science, which she will continue to study in college

 

 

 

 

Patriot High School

Valedictorian, Jillian Taylor Maxson
Maxson will attend the University of Virginia (UVA) this fall. She plans to study either astronomy or neuroscience.

Either way, Maxson says she knows her future will require ongoing studies. “I’ll be pursuing a career in research, and by working with others in my field I hope to make a groundbreaking discovery or two, even if they’re only known in the scientific community,” said Maxson.

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Joanne Bowon Ko
Ko will attend Washington and Lee University and plans to study chemistry. 

In reflecting on her high school career, Ko said she learned that, “In order to succeed, you need to grasp the opportunities you're given and run with them.”

 

 

 

 

 

Potomac High School

Valedictorian, Lilly Mae Schroer
Schroer plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology to study materials science and engineering.

Schroer says she hopes to, “become a role model and influencer in people’s lives and encourage them to work hard and pursue their dreams.”

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Benjamin Kwabi-Addo
Kwabi-Addo will attend Carnegie Mellon University to study computer science.

Kwabi-Addo is interested in prediction software and its application in real-world settings. He plans to research artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. He said, “After college, I plan to start a firm in order to further machine learning for use in earthquake and disaster predictions, robotic intervention software and technological optimization. I aspire to utilize optimized AI systems to effectively optimize other technologies in locations such as hospitals, airline systems, and automated transportation.”

 

 

Stonewall Jackson High School

Valedictorian, Vani Agarwal
Agarwal will attend the University of Virginia (UVA), where she plans to study global public health.

Agarwal hopes to work in biological research and improve the American healthcare system.

 

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, Dana Carole Klatt
Klatt will attend James Madison University (JMU) this fall and plans to study speech pathology. 

Klatt hopes that through her future career, she will be able to help young children with developmental disabilities and patients suffering the effects of a stroke. She said, “I am passionate about helping those who cannot speak find their voice again.”
 

 

 

 

Woodbridge High School

Valedictorian, Ella Marie Poole
Poole will attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing this fall. 

She hopes to improve health through patient-focused research and an emphasis on public health education

 

 

 

 

Salutatorian, James Hanyun Tsai
Tsai will attend the University of Virginia (UVA) this fall and plans to study computer engineering.

Asked about what he hopes to achieve in the future, Tsai said, “I hope to make some significant technological innovation that will improve the world in some way. I'm not quite sure what it is yet, but the future is full of opportunity that is still unknown to us.”