By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to this year’s Valedictorian, Onoriode O. Obaro-Best, and Salutatorian Evelyn Yahaira Rios, from Riverside High School.
Onoriode Obaro-Best has a weighted grade point average of 95.73. Her school activities include National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Yearbook Club, Junior Achievement, Senior Committee, Varsity Volleyball Setter, Mu Alpha Theta President.
Awards, Honors and Scholarships include University of Vermont Trustees Scholarship, SUNY University at Buffalo Pride of New York Scholarship, Superintendent’s Honor Society Club 90, Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and Principal’s List 2017-2021.
Onoriode’s favorite teacher is Riverside Math Teacher, Mr. Esposito. “I had him for 2 years, and I really liked the way he bonded and helped me. We had some deep conversations during lunch which I couldn’t have with others, and he helped me with opportunities available this summer.”
Obaro-Best has also helped tutor other students during COVID. “They come to my house and it worked out great. My parents are older, so I was able to stay home with them but help others.
Accepted to several colleges, Onoriode will be attending Lehigh College in Pennsylvania. “I got a great financial aid package and they help students become successful before we arrive. I have already made friendships with students who will also be going to Lehigh and it’s a prestigious college.”
She will be studying an integrated degree in Arts and Sciences with the goal of becoming an industrial engineer, and later get her Masters
Onoriode continued her senior year online and said that the past year learning with COVID “Was an adjustment but a quick one. I got used to it and just needed the device. I also took breaks and got away from my computer and took walks outside to clear my head.”
Obaro-Best got a device from YPIE to help her with her online studies. She thanked Mr. Esposito and her family for helping her achieve academic greatness. “I’m the youngest and my older siblings helped me and have been my go to for help.”
She didn’t know her class ranking under after her sophomore year. “Everyone was asking about it, but I just kept to getting my work done. But I’m real excited that I ended up #1.”
Riverside Salutatorian Evelyn Yahaira Rios will graduate with a 95.05 GPA. School Activities include YPIE Entrepreneurship Summer Program,
YPIE Regeneron Science Research, YPIE Envirothon, Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, Junior and Senior Committee, Junior Varsity Soccer Team, Junior Varsity Track Team Awards, Honors and Scholarships
Superintendent’s Honor Society Club 90, Honor Roll and High Honor
Roll 2017-2021
Her favorite teachers were “the whole Riverside staff and the YPIE staff who were so supportive. YPIE prepared me for college all four years with the College Zone and further prepared me for the Regents.
Community Service and Work included Museum School 25 teacher assistant, Junior Achievement Teacher of the Day program, Yonkers Board of Education Parent Academy volunteer, Westchester Parks Foundation volunteer, Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra volunteer, Summer Reading Buddies, coat check at local restaurants.
Evelyn loves music, and enjoys reading to get away in her mind. She also enjoys debates to hear both sides of a controversial topic. A self described environmentalist , Rios has a goal to find a solution to plastic pollution and fought to ban single-use plastic bags before New York’s official ban.
She also plays the flute in band and took an accounting class at Monroe College last summer. Evelyn will be attending Northeaster College in Boston in the fall. “I like their co-op program because it helps students get real job experiences. She will be studying Chemistry and hopes to become a Chemical engineer.
“Boston is a great city and I’m excited about living on campus. I wanted to get away but also have a connection with my family and its not that far away.”
Rios had a difficult time continuing to excel in her studies during COVID. “I have 6 siblings in my family and I had to be a teacher for them also. But I did and I always had a device.” Her HS ranking was #2 for most of her four years, and “I wasn’t competing with anyone, just getting my work done.
Best of luck in your futures!
