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When, by the rosiest assessments, only six in 10 students graduate from New York City high schools in just four years, and the high school drop out rate is over 13 percent, it’s an accomplishment to graduate. With all the distractions teens face, whether it’s the danger of drugs, gangs and violence or the lazy allure of video games and social networking, choosing to focus on school and academic achievement can be seen as a radical act of rebellion.
The following students graduated at the top of their class from seven high schools in Northern Manhattan. Because of the selective nature of enrolling in high school in New York City, not all of them are from Washington Heights or Inwood. Yet they came here, went to class, studied and excelled while drowning out the noisy diversions of the teenage life.
The Manhattan Times salutes these seven students and their parents and wish them well in their college careers.
Jamie Emanuel
High School: Northeastern Academy
Age: 17
GPA: 3.95
Plans to attend: Andrews University
Interested in: Biology and medical research
Residence: Mount Vernon, NY
Mother: Tilleris Emanuel
Father: Hugh Emanuel
Advice to underclassmen: “If you really want to succeed in high school or anything else you do, set your goal and aim for it.”
Stephen Dominguez
High School: High School for Health Careers and Sciences at George Washington
Age: 17
GPA: 98.7
Plans to attend: Loyola University
Interested in: political science and civil engineering
Residence: E. 168th Street and Ogden Avenue in the Bronx
Mother: Vitalina Dominguez
Father: Juan Dominguez
Advice to underclassmen: “It takes dedication and determination. There’s always time for games later.”
Kristina Caban
High School: High School for Law and Public Service at George Washington
Age: 17
GPA: 96.2
Plans to attend: Binghamton University
Interested in: Child psychology or becoming a crime scene investigator
Residence: Perry Avenue in the Bronx
Mother: Carmen Caban
Father: Angel Caban
Advice to underclassmen: “Always keep your eye on your goal and never settle for less.”
Carmen Rodriguez
Gregorio Luperon High School
Age: 16
GPA: 97.59
Plans to attend: Bards University
Residence: Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights
The following valedictorians could not be reached by press time:
Noeliz Lee
Mother Cabrini High School
David Disla
High School for Media and Communications at George Washington
Urena Marcell
High School for International Business and Finance at George Washington
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