Vivian Li
Jaden Pradeep
By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to YMHS Valedictorian Vivian Li and Salutatorian Jaden Pradeep.
Valedictorian Vivian Li will graduate with a 103.05 weighted GPA. Her favorite teachers at YMHS were IB Math teacher Andrea Pannell, IB Biology teacher Lesia Kaszczak, and AP Chemistry teacher Jordan Salhoobi.
Vivian elaborated on Lesia Kaszczak because Biology is her favorite subject. “I like the way she teaches and engages everyone on a personal level. She was always there for me after school, and her classroom was an open, comfortable environment.”
Li has completed 11 AP and IB courses for college credit. Among her extra-curricular activities, Vivian discussed her summer trip to Taiwan to teach English.
“My mom found this organization looking for volunteers to teach English in Taiwan. The program was free; all I had to pay for was my flight. We taught through interesting methods and engaging activities, and we lived in the dorms. We then had three weeks in rural areas of Taiwan, teaching kids words related to their health and everyday conversation. I gained a lot of independence by spending that month away from my parents. It was a great experience.”
Vivian was accepted to Princeton University, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Barnard College/Columbia University, Washington University, Williams College, Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Vassar College, the University of Southern California, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY University at Buffalo, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
She will be attending Princeton in the fall. “Princeton has a Bridge Program— a service program where I will be spending 9 months abroad and helping those in need. I also would like to spend a bridge year learning other languages. I love to travel, and I’m particularly interested in going to Cambodia, Bolivia, and Costa Rica. Princeton also gave me the most generous financial aid package. Everything is covered.”
“Although my plans aren’t set in stone, I’d like to pursue a career in the medical field, as I’ve always been an advocate for other individuals. One career I aspire to pursue one day is ophthalmology. Becoming an ophthalmologist would enable me to serve patients by diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions, from common issues such as nearsightedness and cataracts to more complex problems like glaucoma and retinal diseases. What excites me most about ophthalmology is the ability to restore or improve vision, which has a profoundly positive impact on a person’s quality of life. As someone with a family history of vision problems and recently had undergone eye surgery, this field greatly interests me.”
What do you like most about your school? “The approachability of our teachers. They foster an environment where students feel comfortable seeking help, asking questions, and engaging in meaningful discussions. YMHS teachers and educators are especially passionate about learning. Their policy, of engaging students in learning not only enhances our educational experience but also builds a supportive community within the school.
What advice would you leave for future students? “Dedicate time to hobbies or activities you love, whether it’s reading, sports, or spending time with friends. Engaging in enjoyable pursuits can provide a much-needed break from academic pressures. Not everything in school should be about grades and numbers because they truly don’t define you. What defines you is you– you as a person— what you like, what you hate, what you do, how you act.”
Who helped you get to this point of achievement? “My mother. She inspired me as a role model. We have been through a lot. We emigrated when she was 18, and she took care of my brother and me. She pushed me to become stronger, and now I have a future where I can persevere and carry on.”
Did you care about the rankings? “I didn’t know until Junior year. It’s a big deal with my parents because they never had the chance for an education. So this is an education for me and my parents. They gave me a good upbringing.”
YMHS Salutatorian Jaden Pradeep will graduate with a 102.49 GPA. “I don’t see my ranking as important. It’s more about what you know, learn, and enjoy.
His favorite teachers are Adam Thiessen, Physics; Diane Elish, Italian; and Jeanne Ziminsky, his Geometry teacher. “Mr. Thiessen has been one of the coolest people I got to know. He has been the advisor for the Robotics team, and I have been a member since my freshman year. He is a one-of-a-kind. I want to have the same work-life balance that he has.”
“Mrs. Zimishky is the teacher I can talk to the most. She beat cancer and is a person who helped me get through high school. “
“My favorite subject is history. I have always been a good student and watched Band of Brothers. Sometimes I struggle with sleeping, so I watch history shows late at night,” said Jaden, whose four years on the Robotics team are among his most memorable extra-curricular activities.
“I joined by accident. The captain of the team dragged me into a meeting, and after that, I was sold on robotics. I do programming and wiring and was able to come up with a unique engineering prompt. Last year, I went to a robotic tournament in Houston.”
Pradeep was accepted into UAlbany, Stony Brook University, Macaulay Honors College at CCNY, CUNY Lehman, Binghamton University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Boston University. He will be attending SUNY Stony Brook in the fall.
“I wanted to go away, and I wanted somewhere affordable. And I will get to see a lot of friends and people I worked with in high school.”
What are your future plans? “I plan to get a few internships and start working as an Electrical Engineer and maybe spend some more time in robotics during college. I want to attend more competitions and apply my robotics skills in the real world.”
How has your time at YMHS been? “The people at Yonkers High have been what defined my experience personally. There have been days when I am tired and strung out, and that support system you surround yourself with at Yonkers High is one of the best things about this school as a whole. I grew to love things that I didn’t think I would like.”
Advice for future salutatorians? “Don’t stay in your comfort zone-experiment a bit, don’t settle and search for more–try to live a life with no regrets.”
Who helped you get to this point of achievement? “My family. My mom, dad, and sister. There were days when I felt bad, and they pushed me to do better. My mom always said the right thing, my dad was strong, and my sister was funny. They made my life complete, and they motivated me. My parents are immigrants.”
Jaden overcame a skin condition, in his sophomore year. “It was painful, and that year I felt the worst. However, due to the people around me, I was forced to be more positive. Ultimately, the circumstances I experienced were a blessing.
“I might come back to Yonkers, but I want to expand my world for now. It’s time for me to step out.”
