BMC Durfee High School in Fall River announces top 10 of senior class

B.M.C. Durfee High School has announced the top 10 students for the 2022 senior class.

1. Sophia Chen, Valedictorian, is the daughter of Jenny Cheng of Field Street in Fall River. She will be attending the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) as a Pharmacy major. Sophia has received the Certificate of Academic Excellence from the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents, the Harvard Book Award, the John A. & Eileen Carr Scholarship, the Joseph C. & Alene Trottier Perron Scholarship, the Edith C. Wolliston Scholarship, and the Andrew J. Borden Scholarship. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, Key Club, Upward Bound, One Goal, and the Early College Program. Throughout her time at Durfee, she also volunteered at the South Coast Urgent Care Center, the 21st Century Tutoring Program, and the Fall River Historical Society. One of the things she is most proud of is being a commissioned artist for COTE, a Michelin Star restaurant in New York.

2. Timothy Costa, salutatorian, is the son of Kevin and Renee Costa of New Boston Road in Fall River. He will be attending The University of Massachusetts, Boston in the honors college where he will major in biology and minor in cognitive science. Timothy is the recipient of the Brown University Book Award, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, Thomas C. Larney Alumni Association Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholarship, Excellence in AP Mathematics Senior award, and is an AP Scholar. At Durfee, Timothy was a member of the Varsity Soccer Team, as well as the captain of both the Indoor and Outdoor Varsity Track and Field Teams. He was the Vice President of Key Club, a member of National Honors Society, Green Team, Interact Club, and Sixth Man Club. Outside of Durfee, Timothy was a part of multiple social justice initiatives, including the Massachusetts Climate Education Organization, where he was team lead of the Equity and Justice team and a member of the Climate Justice Book team. Timothy also actively engaged with his community by volunteering at Charlton Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department and Hanover Lab, as well as at track and field meets, the Fall River Historical Society, and city clean ups. In the future, Timothy hopes to become a dermatologist.

3. Kaitlyn Munekata Ferreira, is the daughter of her hardworking parents, Ismael and Clarissa Ferreira of High Street in Fall River. She will major in Health Sciences and minor in Biology at Northeastern University’s Honors College. Kaitlyn was a proud member of Honors Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, The Early College Program, Trio Program, Upward Bound, Badminton, Secretary of the Durfee Key Club, Secretary of Rewrite the Future, President of the Durfee Interact Club, and an active member of National Honor Society. She earned the Honor Roll all four years of high school and the UPenn Book Award. Kaitlyn was a 21st Century Tutor for Talbot Middle School and is currently a volunteer at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical field as a pediatric gastroenterologist. Her advice for future generations of Hilltoppers is “Don’t procrastinate! I know you will. But try your best not to, your future self will thank you.”

4. Louraine Dayao is the daughter of Jose and Lilibeth Dayao of Florence Street in Fall River. She was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Fall River when she was six years old. Seeing how hard her parents worked for her, Louraine vowed to do her best and make them proud. During her time at Durfee, Louraine was part of Student Government, National Honors Society, Interact Club, Key Club, French Club, Indoor and Outdoor Track, and Cross Country. Outside of school, she volunteered within the SouthCoast Health System and the Holy Name Parish. Louraine received the Harvard Book Award, Certificate of Academic Excellence from the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents, Outstanding French Student Book Award, the Paula Grillo Excellence in Chemistry Award, PrimaCare Scholarship, St Anne’s Scholarship, and Molly Scholarship. Louraine also made the Dean’s List at BCC as a dual enrollment student. This fall Louraine will be attending UMass Boston and hopes to work as a pediatrician with a concentration in sports medicine.

5. Colin Guillemette, is the son of Aaron and Erin Guillemette of Madison Street in Fall River. He will attend Brown University in the fall, majoring in Bio-Chemistry. Colin received the Stonehill College Junior Book Award, the Excellence in Art Junior Book Award, the Excellence in Art Senior Award, and the Military Veterans Scholarship. He was a member of the Varsity Soccer team, Varsity Baseball team, Varsity Volleyball team, and Varsity Track team, He holds the freshman record for the indoor long jump. Colin was a member of the National Honors Society, the Senior Officer of the Key Club, a member of the Art Club, Durfee Sixth Man, and Lacrosse Club. He has volunteered at the MLK Jr. Day city wide breakfast, a summer track program introducing the younger members of our community to track and field, city clean ups, and at his local church with Thanksgiving Mass. In the future, Colin hopes to become a leading researcher in immunology. Colin thanks everyone that has helped to get him to where he is now, because he couldn’t have done it alone!

6. Morgan Carmen Ledo is the daughter of Mario and Tina Ledo of Fielden Street in Fall River. She will attend Roger Williams University as a mechanical engineering major and computer science minor in the fall. Morgan received the Mass Maritime Future Women Leaders in STEM Award, the Excellence in Math Award, the Excellence in Science Award, the English in Action Award, the Class of 1972 Alumni Scholarship, the Durfee Alumni Association Scholarship, the Rotary Club of Fall River Scholarship, the Roger Williams University Presidential Scholarship, and the Roger Williams Grant. She was a co-captain of the Varsity Tennis Team and a member of the National Honors Society, Green Team, and the Espírito Santo Church Youth Group. She was also a member of the Durfee Concert Band (secretary), Pep Band, and the Symphony Orchestra. She volunteers as a third grade CCD teacher at Espírito Santo Church and she volunteers at the Southcoast Open Air Market, Fall River City Cleanups, and Beach Cleanups. Morgan hopes to become an aerospace engineer and will always remember her time at Durfee in all her endeavors.

7. Christopher James Panchley is the son of Joshua and Melissa Panchley of Harvard Street in Fall River. He will be attending Clemson University and majoring in Pre-Business, as he plans on pursuing a future in that field. Christopher was a two-year captain for the Varsity Tennis Team, goalie for Durfee Varsity Soccer, Sixth Man Captain, Durfee History Abroad Historian, and member of National Honor Society. He received the Yale Book Award Recipient, is a candidate for AP Capstone Distinction. Christopher received the Fall River Lions Club Scholarship, Fall River Rotary Club Scholarship, Durfee Alumni Scholarship, PFC. Ethan L. Goncalo High School Memorial Scholarship, and Lebanese American Scholarship. Christopher also served as a volunteer goalie coach for Fall River Youth Soccer, a volunteer coach for Fall River Basketball and the Southcoast Ball Hockey Association.

8. Julia Christine Faria, is the daughter of Patricia and the late John Faria of Dexter Street in Fall River. She will attend The George Washington University majoring in psychological and brain sciences on the pre-med track. Julia received the Smith College Book Award, Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, and the Durfee Alumni Scholarship. She was a member of the National Honors Society, an AP Scholar, and an AP Capstone candidate. Julia has done volunteer work for Charlton Memorial Hospital, the American Red Cross, Law Enforcement Affecting Families, and Gis for G.I.’s. Her advice for future generations of Hilltoppers is “never take anything too seriously, life goes on no matter what, so trust that you’ll end up where you belong.”

9. Maya Leigh Couto is the daughter of John & Vivian Couto of Baker Street in Fall River. She will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Commonwealth Honors College. Although undecided, she plans to pursue a major involving the environment and public policy. Maya was a member of Green Team, Lacrosse Club, Book Club, among other clubs throughout her high school career and involved in dance outside of school. She was a member of One Goal and the Early College program, taking eight courses through BCC. Further, she is a recipient of the Roger H. Dubois Award for Environmental Science and the Hyman Racklin Scholarship, Elmer C. Slater Scholarship, A. William Munro Scholarship, Jerome Namias Scholarship, and Andrew J. Borden Scholarship. Maya’s goal is to pursue a career that creates a healthier and sustainable environment.

10. Ayomide Olubanwo is the son of Olusegun and Deborah Olubanwo of Winthrop Street in Fall River. He will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the fall, majoring in Computer Science and considering doing a minor in Business. Ayomide is the founder of the Beatmakers Club and president of the Chess Club. He also drums at his church, C.A.C Altar of Grace. Ayomide received the Excellence in Physics Award, the Durfee Alumni Scholarship, the Xerox Information and Innovation Award, the “Stick-to-it-tive-ness” Award, and the Andrew J. Borden Scholarship. He participated in the Learn to Serve program, volunteering in a special education classroom and helped educate students about the wonders (and dangers) of technology. In the future, Ayomide would like to make a number of things, from music to apps to physical products to video games.