Two West Roxbury Residents Named BPS Valedictorians

WEST ROXBURY, MA - Two high school seniors from West Roxbury are the valedictorians of their graduating classes this year.

Xuan Qin is the co-valedictorian of Boston Latin School's Class of 2016; she shares the distinction with Terry Ni of Jamaica Plain.

And Andrea Flores is at the top of her class at Mary Lyon Pilot High School.

According to a Boston Public Schools press release, Qin has successfully completed nine AP courses, ranging from Latin to economics. In addition to competing in a mock trial program, she also participates in a nonprofit dance company, Project Moves.

Flores works as a camp counselor at Jackson Mann Community Center during the summer and enjoys listening to music, drawing, skateboarding, playing the guitar and video games, according to the release. She will attend the School of Visual Arts in New York City in the fall.

The valedictorians were honored Tuesday by Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston School Committee Chairman Michael O'Neill at the BPS Annual Valedictorian Luncheon.

The event was held at the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf.

"Congratulations to all of our students for achieving this remarkable accomplishment," Chang said at the ceremony, according to the release. "They make all of us so proud; they are hard workers, resilient, and they have an unwavering desire to succeed."

Walsh said in his remarks that more than half of the 37 valedictorians are the first in their families to attend college, more than half were born outside of the United States and eight had been in the BPS system since kindergarten, according to the release.

"This group of scholars is a testament to the BPS, and each student should be proud of their success," he said. "These students enrich our communities, schools and the City of Boston. Congratulations to the valedictorians and their families on this great accomplishment."

Photo courtesy of Boston Public Schools