Mizzen Bajramoski
For Mount Vernon High School valedictorian Mizzen Bajramoski, success has never been measured solely by grades, class rank or accolades.
Yes, she graduates at the very top of her class and will head to Stony Brook University in the fall to study nursing and, yes, she earned scholarships galore, maintained Principal’s Honor Roll status and balanced a rigorous academic load.
But when you ask Mizzen what she is most proud of, she mentions being a captain. Not because of titles or recognition, but because of the bond she built with her teammates on the volleyball and softball fields.
“It’s just a big accomplishment to be with them on that field and just have fun,” she said. “Whether we win or lose, I just love being with them.”
Guided by heart, fueled by ambition
That answer says almost everything about who Mizzen is. Behind the remarkable academic achievements is a young woman driven as much by heart, loyalty and empathy as by ambition.
Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Mizzen comes from a close-knit family whose sacrifices and support helped shape her determination. Her mother emigrated from the Dominican Republic as a child, while her father grew up in the Bronx.
As the youngest of three siblings, she grew up wanting to make her family proud while also carving out her own identity.
“My brother was very smart as well,” she said with a wide smile. “But he wasn’t valedictorian. I had to be me.”
That competitive fire — paired with deep gratitude toward her family — became a powerful source of motivation. She credits her parents for never missing an early morning practice, a game or an important milestone, and says their unwavering support pushed her to keep striving higher.
“It makes me want to go farther for them and really show them that their sacrifices are worth it,” she said.
Mizzen’s high school journey began at the Denzel Washington School of the Arts, where she attended as a freshman after falling in love with the school during its Summer Bridge program. A lifelong lover of music, she performed as a band major and found a strong sense of community among supportive teachers and classmates.
“The teachers there made every day feel like a new journey,” she said. “They never gave up on the students.”
Challenging transition to MVHS
Still, she made the difficult decision to transfer to Mount Vernon High after freshman year, a transition that was emotionally challenging but one she sought to expand her academic horizon.
But slowly, she found her footing, often through small acts of courage – complimenting classmates. Starting conversations. Opening herself up.
“That’s actually how I made a lot of my friendships here,” she said.
At MVHS, Mizzen immersed herself fully in school life. She became a peer tutor, joined the National Honor Society, advocated for blood drives, pursued the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and remained deeply involved in athletics, all while maintaining exceptional grades.
And through it all, she discovered an important lesson about balance.
“I feel like you do need that sense of dopamine,” she said. “You need to hang out with your friends and realize that your grades don’t define you.”
That philosophy helped sustain her through long nights of studying, difficult exams and the constant pressure of balancing academics with athletics. She admits there were moments of exhaustion and self-doubt — nights spent watching YouTube videos to understand difficult material while fighting back tears.
‘A moment of validation’
So when she was officially named valedictorian, the moment carried enormous emotional weight.
“It really made all of it worth it,” she said. “It was a moment of validation.”
Mizzen believes athletics played a major role in developing the resilience and discipline that fueled her academic success.
“Being an athlete teaches you not to give up,” she said. “Without sports, I wouldn’t have that sense of dedication.”
Her compassion and career goals were also shaped by family. Inspired in part by her mother’s experiences working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Mizzen enrolled in the school’s CNA program and quickly realized healthcare was where she belonged.
What drew her most strongly to nursing was not just the medical side of the profession, but the emotional connection nurses build with patients.
“You get to know their life story,” she said. “You gain a lot of empathy from that.”
That empathy is one of the defining characteristics repeatedly mentioned by those around her, even if it is not immediately obvious. Mizzen admits she can sometimes appear serious or intensely focused at first.
“But on the inside, I’m very soft,” she said. “I’m very emotional.”
Passion for music endures
Among the educators who most impacted her was hospitality and IB teacher Katherine “Ms. Kat” Rodriguez, who helped Mizzen grow more confident as a speaker and encouraged her to build meaningful connections with others.
“She makes us feel like such a safe community,” Mizzen said. “She made me realize life is bigger than grades and careers. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not going to have fun.”
Even amid demanding coursework and athletics, Mizzen never let go of her passion for music. She continues to perform with a community drum line, participating in competitions and parades — an outlet she describes as relaxing and grounding.
“Music helps me get back into my groove,” she said.
At Stony Brook, Mizzen hopes to eventually work in labor and delivery nursing and is also considering medical school to become a pediatrician. Whatever path she ultimately chooses, her focus remains rooted in helping others, especially young people.
“If I don’t do healthcare, I definitely want to pursue education,” she said. “Helping shape the newer generations of the world is very important.”
For someone graduating first in her class, Mizzen Bajramoski speaks surprisingly little about being No. 1. Instead, she talks about family. Teammates. Teachers. Patients. Friends. Community.
And perhaps that is exactly what makes her such a remarkable valedictorian.
