Dynamic duo leads Notre Dame Prep grads
May 19—Just before being dismissed for Easter break, Notre Dame Prep seniors Lara Valasquez and Chloe Grindall were called out of class to meet with school administrators for a surprise announcement,
Not used to being "in trouble," the two were unsure why they were summoned — with anxiety turning to joy.
The two were told that Valasquez earned the top spot as class valedictorian and that Grindall earned the honor of class salutatorian.
"I am so incredibly honored to be the valedictorian of the Class of 2024," said Valasquez, who was still deciding between 11 colleges before deciding on Chapman University.
"I have truly grown to love our Saints community in the past four years and to be recognized for my academic achievements means the world to me," she added.
In her commencement address, Valasquez said she will encourage classmates "to always lead with love."
Grindall, captain of the school's 2024 state championship girls soccer team, said she will talk about how "failure makes you stronger if you choose not to give up."
She will attend the United States Naval Academy in the fall.
"Being a student at NDP has helped me achieve my goal of serving my country and receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy," she said.
As student leaders and scholars in the St. Thomas Aquinas Academic Program, a rigorous program of study at NDP, Valasquez and Grindall have taken advantage of opportunities
offered at the North Scottsdale Catholic high school to propel themselves to the top of their class.
"We are so proud of Lara and Chloe for their hard work but also for their servant leader mindset," said NDP principal Brie Dragonetti. "These girls are representative of our
shared values of reverence, respect and responsibility, and they epitomize what we expect of our grads at graduation!"
Valazquez says her favorite high school memory was leading the Smiles for Christmas event, spreading holiday cheer to economically diverse Catholic school students in the Diocese of Phoenix.
"Nearly 200 elementary school students joined us on campus to celebrate Christmas as a community with games, food and even snow!" she said.
Grindall will cherish a Kairos retreat: "What I experienced on Kairos encouraged me to take that final jump and be baptized and receive confirmation in the Catholic Church. Now I know that I am equipped with steadfast love from God to help me overcome whatever challenge I face in my future."
The commencement ceremony for Notre Dame Prep was held Friday, May 17, on the school's North Scottsdale campus.
Notre Dame Prep is a Catholic diocesan college preparatory high school with a co-ed enrollment of 958 students.
According to the school, 99% of the graduating class is going on to a university or college — with nearly $7 million in scholarships.
Forty-five students had straight A's in their high school years, led by Velasquez, who had a weighted grade point average of 4.46.
Just behind her was Grindall, with a 4.42 GPA.
Mater Dei Awards (for "Reverence, Respect and Responsibility") went to Grindall, Ava Handel, Evan Hendrix, Tyler Friend, Robert James Leibmann and Lara Velasquez.
