B.M.C. Durfee High School announces top 10 students for 2023

Durfee High School has released their list of the top 10 students for 2023.

1) Brady Francis Lavoie, Valedictorian, is the son of Gary and Catherine Lavoie of Woodlawn Street in Fall River. He will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall and pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Robotic Engineering. Brady has been presented with such honors as the Harvard Prize Book Award, the AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction merits, the award for Excellence in Physics, and the The Massachusetts Association of Superintendents Award of Academic Excellence. He has received both the St. Anne’s Credit Union Scholarship and the Harold R. Bannister in Memory of James Edward and Catherine Manning Bannister Scholarship. He has captained the varsity Cross Country team, Winter Track, and is currently captain of the Volleyball team. He has assisted in teaching children at USA Karate for several years, as well as here at Durfee High School, serving as teaching assistant and lab aid for AP Physics 1. Beyond his schooling, he plans to establish himself amongst world leaders in technology with his own creations, which will both help and make better the lives of all they can reach, and he plans to carry his Durfee Pride along the way. His favorite quote, spoken by famed survivalist Richard “Dick” Proenneke, is “To look around at what you have accomplished in a day gives a man a good feeling. Too many men work on parts of things. Doing a job to completeness satisfies a man.”

2) Brooke Elizabeth Macedo, Salutatorian, is the daughter of Susan Macedo and Dean Macedo of Doherty St in Fall River. She will be attending Johns Hopkins University as a chemistry major on pre med track. Brooke was Captain of the Varsity Field Hockey team, President of National Honors Society, Member of the Unified Track and Field team, a member of one goal and the early college program taking 9 courses through her high school years at BCC. Brooke was a Fall River Youth of the Year finalist and recipient of the Brown Book Award, Massachusetts Certificate of Academic Excellence, AP Scholar Award, Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, George Moniz Excellence in Biology Award, The Lions Club Scholarship, Saint Anne’s Credit Union Scholarship, The Fall River Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, The Citizens Scholarship, Catherine Assad Scholarship, Class of 1972 Alumni Scholarship, Foley Trust Scholarship, PrimaCare Scholarship, Southcoast Health Ambassadors Scholarship, The Amber Mello Memorial Scholarship, and the Durfee Alumni Association Scholarship. She volunteered her time as a Math tutor, as well as at School Events and River Clean-Ups. In the future, Brooke plans to become an Anesthesiologist and help fix inequalities within the healthcare system.

3) Amilia Freitas Dias is the daughter of Liliana and Joaquim Dias of Mariano Bishop Boulevard in Fall River. She will attend Amherst College as a Neuroscience major. Amilia received the Harvard University Book Chapter Award, Massachusetts Superintendent Certificate of Academic Excellence Award, Roger H. Dubois Award for Excellence in Environmental Science, Outstanding Student in World Language Book Award, Excellence in Portuguese Award, Portuguese Book Award, Foley Family Scholarship, and the Day of Portugal Scholarship. She was the Herald News’ All-Scholastic 2022-23 Girls Soccer Player of the Year, a 4x Southeast Conference All-Conference All-star, and she was awarded the Durfee girls soccer MVP award. She was a member of the Sixth Man Club, Green Team, History Abroad, National Honor Society, Fall River United-Youth Soccer, Juventus Academy Boston Soccer Club, and a 4-year member and 2x captain of the Varsity Soccer team. She volunteered with The Luv Michael Foundation, Day of Portugal, the Fall River Youth Soccer Association, and various Durfee school events. Amilia also completed an Engineering internship at Johnson & Johnson, doing work in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Reconstruction. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in Neuroscience research and will always show her Durfee pride anywhere she goes.

4) Yasin Hosam Eldein Mahmoud, is the son of Shima and Hosam Mahmoud, of Dickinson St in Fall River. He will be attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as a Mechanical Engineering major. Yasin was a member of the swim team for four years and named captain his senior year. He was also a committed member of Durfee’s marching, concert, and jazz bands. Yasin was awarded the Caught Being Awesome Award, Band Director’s Award, the Perseverance Award, and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Yasin has volunteered in the Masjid Al Ehsan as a Sunday school teacher and had the opportunity to work as an intern for Johnson and Johnson in the summer of 2022. In the future, he would like to become an engineer to work at a company similar to Johnson and Johnson, helping people with the ideas he contributes to everyday.

5) Destani Pearle Alua-Rioux is the daughter of Danny Alua-Rioux and Kelly Lopes of Herman Street in Fall River. She will attend Lasell University as a Criminal Justice major and a member of their Division lll Women’s Soccer team. Destani received the Yale Book Award, Durfee Alumni Scholarship, Fall River Forward Scholarship, and the Dollars For Scholars Scholarship. She was a member of the Varsity Girls Soccer Team, National Honors Society, Key Club, Interact Club, the Sixth Man Club, Fall River United Youth Soccer, and South Coast United Club Soccer. She has volunteered at the First Baptist Church preparing and serving food to the homeless during shelter dinners, and Durfee Field Clean-Ups. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in law and is excited to see where the path she chose takes her.

6) Tien Thuy Tran is the daughter of Ky Tran and Thuong Duong of Tremont Street in Fall River. She will be attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) majoring in Pharm.D. Tien received the Excellence in Career and Tech Education, John Hopkin Book Award, Presidential Certificate of Merit, Principal’s Award, Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, Prima Care Scholarship, Fall River Forward Scholarship, Amber Mello Memorial Scholarship, and Durfee Alumni Scholarship. She was a member of the CTE Health Assisting Pathway, One Goal, and Early College Program. In the future, she would like to become an important member of a medical team to provide patients with the best care.

7) Aderline Diaz Fernandez is the daughter of Carmen Fernandez and Romert Diaz of Mulberry Street in Fall River. She will attend New York University, majoring in Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering. Aderline was a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, Durfee Green Team, and French Club. She was recognized as Fall River Youth of the Year and received the Paula Grillo Excellence in Chemistry Award, the Excellence in French Award along with the French Book Award, the Leadership and Service Award, and the Durfee Alumni Scholarship. She has volunteered for the Durfee Summer Enrichment Program, Pancake Breakfast at Diman, 8th grade Durfee tours, Easter Egg Hunt for early ed, reading at Spencer Borden Elementary, and beach clean-ups. She wishes to pursue a career in her field and wants younger students to know that it is okay to be afraid of the future and not know where life will take you as long as you allow your heart to guide you.

8) Aimee Rebecca Tiebout is the daughter of A. Ryan and Angela Tiebout of New Boston Road in Fall River. She will be attending Roger Williams University, majoring in Engineering. She received the University of Vermont Book Award and the Excellence in Career & Tech Education (Engineering) Book Award. She was the Captain of the Swimming and Diving team and was named MVP the past two years. Aimee was also a member of the National Honor Society, Outdoor Track & Field team, Interact Club, and Sixth Man Club. Aimee is an AP Capstone Candidate and a member of the Durfee CTE (Engineering) and received recognition for completing over 900 hours within her program. She participated in the Learn to Serve program, having a placement in a special education classroom, and volunteered at Forever Paws. Additionally, she received the Fall River Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, Durfee Alumni Scholarship, and Lions Club Scholarship. She plans to pursue a career in engineering management and work in product development.

9) Anthony Grannum is the son of Natalie Grannum of Stafford Rd in Fall River. He will be attending New York University majoring in Dramatic Writing. Anthony was a member of Student Government, the National Honors Society, Varsity Volleyball team, and the Varsity Track and Field team. Anthony was a recipient of the Foley Scholarship and the Red Pine scholarship. He volunteered his time at a local church’s homeless support program, coaching middle school volleyball, working track meets and organizing and leading student government events. Anthony plans to learn the needed skills to become a skilled screenwriter and hopefully create a show of his own taking the joy he has gained growing up in Fall River and spreading it around the country.

10) Murali Mahaseth is the son of Lal Kishor Mahaseth and Sunita Sah Sudi of Locust St in Fall River. He will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst with the intent of pursuing a double major in business and computer science. Murali is an AP Scholar who received the Principal’s Award, The Stern Family Scholarship, The Salvatore and Maria Pizzi Foundation Scholarship, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Fall River Scholarship, and the Citizens Scholarship. He was a member of Student Government, the Computer Science Club, Next Level Technology, and theVarsity Tennis team. Murali aspires to open his own business in the field of computer science, combining his passion for technology and entrepreneurship to create innovative solutions that transform industries.