B.M.C. Durfee High School announces top 10, graduation postponed to Saturday

B.M.C. Durfee High School has announced their top 10 graduating class.

Charlotte Misturado, Valedictorian, is the daughter of Glen and Michelle Misturado Fall River. She will be attending Yale University with a major in Health Sciences. Charlotte is the recipient of the Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Award, Harold R. Bannister and Nathan & Irene Anthony Chance Alumni Association Scholarship and a Junior Book Award. Over the course of her time at Durfee she has challenged herself by enrolling in 10 AP courses and has excelled in all of them. Charlotte was the Senior Captain of Durfee’s Varsity Girls Soccer Team, a member of the National Honors Society, Learn to Serve, and an MIAA Ambassador. She also worked to donate $1500 worth of money and product to the Northeast Animal Shelter.

Sophie McDonnell, salutatorian, is the daughter of Steven and Erin McDonnell of Hood Street in Fall River. She will be attending Simmons University in the fall where she will study nursing and play for the Simmons Women’s Varsity Volleyball team. Sophie was also accepted into Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Nursing, ultimately choosing Simmons University after being awarded the prestigious Gilbert and Marcia Kotzen Scholarship. She has been a captain of the Durfee Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team for the past two years and also participated on the Durfee Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team when this year’s volleyball season was postponed. Sophie was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and was also a Southeast Conference All-Star and Herald News All-Scholastic All-Star last volleyball season. She led as the president of the National Honor Society, president of the Durfee Spanish Club, and president of the Durfee Ski and Snowboard Club, also actively tutoring several younger students in the school system. Sophie received her nursing assistant certification in 2019, has worked at Catholic Memorial Home, and more recently received a position as a CNA on the surgical unit at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She has also interned with a licensed mental health counselor over the past year at a private practice in Tiverton, RI. Sophie was nominated for Fall River’s Youth of the Year in 2020, also receiving the Harvard Book Award. She has been awarded as an AP Scholar with Honor, received a seal of biliteracy for her excellence in Spanish, and is a candidate for College Board’s AP Capstone and Diploma. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies at Simmons University, Sophie plans to pursue her master’s to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Hannah Reitzas, is the daughter of Daniel and Lisa Reitzas of Montgomery Street in Fall River. She will be attending George Washington University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Hannah is an accomplished participant in the DECA program having garnered Third Place Ranking at DECA District Competition (2019-2020), Tenth Place Ranking at DECA State Competition (2019-2020) and Second Place Ranking at DECA District Competition (2020-2021). She has also received The George Washington University Book Award, United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Outstanding Student of the Year Award, Class of 1943 Scholarship (B.M.C. Durfee High School Alumni Association Scholarship), and the Elizabeth R. Stevens Scholarship (B.M.C. Durfee High School Alumni Association Scholarship). At Durfee she has been a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) (President), Mock Trial (President), and Field Hockey Team. Hannah is also positively engaged with her community through volunteer initiatives as an active member in the National Honor Society and Learn to Serve and co-president of the Giving Club. She hopes to pursue a career in Engineering.

Faith Catherine Ferreira is the daughter of Peter and Christine Ferreira of Katie Court in Fall River. She will attend Northeastern University in the Honors Program studying a combined major of mechanical engineering and physics. Faith is the recipient of an Honors Scholarship, Honey Dew Scholarship, John J. & Elizabeth C. Harrington Scholarship, John & Abigail Adams Scholarship, Herald News All Star Softball 2018 & 2019, All Conference All Star Softball 2018 & 2019, All Conference All Star Field Hockey 2018 & 2019 & 2020, PLTW Engineering Bridge Design Overall Winner 2020, Future Female Leader in STEM Mass Maritime Award, PLTW Engineering Capstone Completer, Rensselaer Medal for Mathematics & Science, Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, and Excellence for AP Mathematics Award. While at Durfee she was Varsity Softball (captain), Varsity Field Hockey (captain), and a team member of the Travel Softball Mass Titans. Fath was a member of the National Honor Society, Sixth Man Club, Ski Club, Spanish Club, History Abroad Club and worked part time at Mesa 21 and O’Gils. In her spare time she volunteered as a middle school field hockey referee, middle school softball mentor & advisor, Doran Middle School academic mentor, St Bernard’s Harvest Festival volunteer, as well as donated time working at concession stands for sporting events, fundraising for school events and other organizations. Faith would like to become a mechanical engineer in the future.

Alisha Gonzalez is the daughter of Donna and Johnny Gonzales of Blackstone Street in Fall River. She will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology majoring in Biological Engineering. Alisha was awarded the Future Women Leaders in STEM Award, Brown University Book Award, AP + PLTW Achievement in Engineering, and was a SeaPerch Open Class 1st place (Qualifier). At Durfee she was a member of the Track and Field Teams, Upward Bound, SeaPerch Robotics, Diocesan Youth Council, and National Honors Society. Alisha volunteered by planning, organizing, and leading youth retreats at Barbara C. Harris Camp, NH with the Diocesan Youth Council. She also organized and fundraised for a food drive in collaboration with #GiveHealthy with the Diocesan Youth Council.

Emily French is the daughter Susan Bone of Lawton Street in Fall River. She will attend Boston University in the Fall majoring in Biology. Emily is an AP Scholar with Honors Award, a Smith College Book Award winner and is an AP Capstone Candidate. She also received a Boston University Presidential Scholarship of $25,000 a year for her college career. At Durfee she was involved in the Marching Band, National Honors Society and the Do Something Club. For volunteer work, Emily has spent time at the Charlton Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, Charlton Memorial ICU Department and Durfee’s Keeley Library. She has also completed five Dual Enrollment classes through BCC and Bridgewater State University and hopes to become a Wildlife Biologist in the future to help save wildlife.

Joshua Comstock is the son of Cynthia Diane Comstock and Daniel Comstock of Pearce Street in Fall River. He will attend The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth majoring in Biology. Joshua was awarded the Durfee Cross Country MVP 2020, University of Pennsylvania Jr. Book Award, College Board National Merit Scholarship Program Jr. Book Award, and the Paula Grillo Excellence in Chemistry Award. While at Durfee he participated in Cross Country and Track and Field. Joshua hopes to pursue a career in teaching at the conclusion of his college career.

Savannah Lynn Ledo is the daughter of Mario and Tina Ledo of Fielden Street in Fall River. She will attend Stonehill College majoring in biology. Savannah received the Providence College Junior Book Award, Prima Care Scholarship, Fall River Rotary Club Scholarship, Durfee Alumni Scholarships, Shields Merit Scholarship, Stonehill Founders Award, AP Scholar Recognition, and is an AP Capstone Candidate. Her extracurricular activities were the B.M.C Durfee Orchestra, National Honors Society, Durfee Key Club, and the Espirito Santo Church Youth Group. Savannah also volunteered at Fall River City Cleanups, Charlton Memorial Hospital gift shop and cafeteria, and the South Coast Open Air Market. In the future, she would like to become a Physician’s Assistant.

Ryan Correa is the son of Lee and Laura Correa of Dickinson Street in Fall River. He will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was awarded the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Presidential Scholarship and hopes to work in the astronautical field. Ryan is also an artist and loves to illustrate and create concepts and stories.

Lev Elber is the son of Susan Brown and Mark Elber of Walnut Street in Fall River. He will be attending Champlain College majoring in Creative Media. Lev received the Stonehill College Junior Book Award and the Abigail and Adams scholarship. He participated in iD Tech Camps (education in Internet technologies, 2014-2019), Yiddish Book Center Summer Program (study and analysis of Jewish literature, 2019), and Exceptional Minds Summer Program (online education in computer animation, 2020-present). He is hoping to become a Video Game Programmer, Digital Artist, and/or Voice Actor. Lev also wanted to share that he is on the autism spectrum.

Based on the most recent forecast that calls for thunderstorms this evening, the Class of 2021 Graduation ceremony will be postponed. Graduation will be held tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 10AM. All graduates and families should arrive by 9AM.