NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 24, 2023) — New Rochelle High School Principal Dagberto Artiles has announced the school’s 2023 valedictorian and salutatorian.
Valedictorian Julia Ecker serves as co-president of the New Rochelle United Science Exploration Program, president of Ignite, the freshman peer mentoring program at the high school, and serves as co-vice president of Service for the National Honor Society. She is a member of the Science, Math, English, and Foreign Language Honor Societies. Outside of school, Ecker has worked as an assistant teacher for Judaics and Hebrew at her temple for seven years. She is the president of a local chapter of BBYO, a Jewish youth organization that unites Jewish teens across the world and she tutors with Quaranteen Tutors, a free online tutoring service.
Salutatorian Leah Shefferman is a drummer and percussionist in the high school’s Jazz and Symphonic bands. She is playing drums in the pit for the school musical “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” She is on the board of Science Honor Society, Music Honor Society, and Chinese Honor Society, and is also a member of the Math Honor Society.
What they are saying:
Valedictorian Julia Ecker: “New Rochelle has unlimited opportunities, many of which helped me to both explore and further my academic interests. I have been a part of Science Research for four years, including pre-science research, which has helped foster and grow my love for science. The science research program has presented incredible opportunities, allowing me to engage in two separate internships with doctors and providing me with experience that will undoubtedly aid me in the future.”
“I want to thank my parents for their support, my brother for his guidance and tutoring sessions, and all my teachers for their support and always patiently answering my endless questions.”
Salutatorian Leah Shefferman: “I have had a great experience at New Rochelle and feel that I have had access to so many great resources and opportunities, beginning with fantastic teachers and including lots of AP classes and the PAVE program, which has let me pursue my love of music. The math and science courses I’ve taken at NRHS definitely sparked my interest in STEM. Outside of school, I enjoy working with children as the president of Quaranteen Tutors, as a long-time volunteer at Songcatchers, and as a swim instructor.”
“I would like to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and being there for me, and my teachers also for being an inspiration and encouraging me to do more.”