Left to Right: Gorton HS Salutatorian Attiqa Ejaz and Valedictorian Sofia Mejia
By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to the Gorton High School Valedictorian Sofia Mejia and Salutatorian Attiqa Ejaz. Valedictorian Sofia Mejia will graduate with a 102.74 GPA. Her favorite teachers at Gorton are (first Stephen Frum- World History 2, Michael Wszolek-Medical Assisting, and Dawn Myers- Anatomy and Physiology, EMT.
“I liked Mr. Frum’s class. He cares about the students and he is funny. My favorite subject is science and my favorites classes are in Anatomy and Physiology. I’ve always liked science and how different things work. I want to become a nurse and learn how the body works,” said Sofia.
Mejia’s favorite extracurricular activity is Student Government. “I have been in student government since the 10th grade. With our advisors, we have done a lot to help others. It’s nice to see people benefit from our work.”
Sofia will be attending Mt. St. Vincent’s College in the fall. “I want to become a nurse and they have an amazing nursing program. It’s also not far from my house, so I can commute. My Mom also went to Mt. St. Vincent and my grandpa was a professor there.”
Who helped you get to this point of academic excellence? “All of my teachers taught me to work hard but also to become a better person. My Mom has always been there for me and supported me. I always looked up to her.”
Words of advice for future Valedictorians? “Don’t focus on trying to be the best; focus on becoming the best version of yourself that you can be, and experience as many new things as you can.”
Gorton HS Salutatorian Attiqa Ejaz will graduate with a 100.06% GPA. Her favorite are Jonathan Serrano (music), Brian foster ( APUSH & AP World) and Eva Areifig ( Health & CL- Bioethics).. “Mr Serrano helped me advance in music as a pianits. Mr. Foster helped me learn how to succeed in a vigorous course. And Mrs. Areifig helped me find out what I wanted to do in my career, and opened up my view beyond healthcare.”
Attiqa’s favorite class was AP World History. “It was my first AP class and was the funniest class I had. Mr. Foster helped us learn while having fun and helped us enjoy the curriculum. His joked were the best part of my day.”
Science research has been the most rewarding extracurricular activity for Ejaz. “Since 9th grade, I have been focused on researching cardiovascular disease, and my mentor from YPIE, Jacob Scofield, helped me learn so many things.”
Attiqa will be attending The Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College. “I will be a business major or Pre-Law. It’s one of the best CUNY’s, and I got the Macaulay scholarship, which will help me go ahead and get my Master’s. It was the best option for me. I want to become a corporate lawyer and travel for work. I strive for the hard work that comes with corporate life.
Who helped you to this academic excellence? “My Mother. Without her support and courage and pushing me forward, I would be nothing.” Attiqa was born in Pakistan in 2016. “I was only 9 years old and it was a little scary, but my mother always made it like home here as well.” Advice for future Valedictorians? “You’ll always wish you have started younger, so start today.”
Congratulations!
