Westport High School releases top 10 seniors, bios, for 2025

Westport High School has released their top 10 seniors for 2025.

TESS SILVIA

Valedictorian 

The Valedictorian for the Class of 2025 at Westport Middle High School is Tess Silvia. Tess is the daughter of Michael and Lori Silvia. She will be attending Simmons University in the fall to major in Physical Therapy. She will also be playing soccer and softball for the university. This is of no surprise because Tess is a three-sport athlete at Westport Middle High School. Tess was the recipient of the female Athlete of the Year as well as the John Hickey Memorial Scholar Athlete Award and the Athlete for All Seasons. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also the recipient of the Maryada Foundation Award, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, Fall River Rotary, Clube Madereinse, Saint John of God Women’s Guild, Westport Police Association-Dan Sullivan Memorial Scholarship, Vipers FC, Westport Woman’s Club, Westport Lion’s Club-The Rush Workman/Frank and Brooke McGuigan Memorial Scholarship along with the Science Departmental Award. Tess was also the recipient of the Society of Women Engineers High Honors Award for excellence in science and mathematics. The accolades continued with the Superintendent’s Award and Presidential Award for Academic excellence and the Presidential Award for Service. Tess is an impressive young woman with the ability to balance her time and schedule which will serve her well as she progresses forward. We have every confidence she will meet with success in all that she does. She has been a strong representative of Westport Middle High School.

JAIRA BERNARDO 

Salutatorian 

The Salutatorian of the Class of 2025 at Westport Middle High School is Jaira Bernardo. Jaira is the daughter of John and Rochelle Bernardo. Jaira will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Jaira has been an active member of our Drama, Medical, Environmental, and Newspaper Clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Big Buddies. Jaira is an extremely kind and generous young woman. She was the recipient of the Westport Lions Club Ernest and Prudence Chadwick Scholarship along with the South Coast Hospital Ambassadors, Peter Habib Memorial Scholarship, American Red Cross-Medical Club, and Clube Madeirense and Domingos-Silva Scholarships. Jaira was a recipient of the John and Abigai Adams Scholarship for MCAS excellence. She was the recipient of the Math Department’s AP Calculus Award and the Science Department’s Awards for AP Chemistry and AP Biology. Jaira received the World Language’s Award for her linguistic ability in Portuguese. Jaira also received the highest honors merit award from the Society of Women Engineers for her excellence in science and mathematics. The AP English Departmental award was given to Jaira as well. Jaira received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. Jaira’s abilities and character will serve her well in her future endeavors. 

SAMANTHA MEDEIROS 

Third 

Ranked third in the Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025 is Samantha Medeiros. Samantha is the daughter of Edward and Michelle Medeiros. Samantha will be attending the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and she will be majoring in history. Samantha has been the member of Wildcat Ambassadors and the Medical Club. Samantha was a tutor for younger students throughout her high school career. She was the recipient of the AP Psychology Award. She also received the Language Department’s Award for her ability in Spanish. Samantha received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and was the recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for MCAS excellence along with the South Coast Community Foundation Van Sloun Scholarship. This quiet leader will meet with success as she pursues her educational goals. 

HANNAH ABRAMS 

Fourth 

Ranked fourth in the Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025 is Hannah Abrams. Hannah is the daughter of Jeffrey and Cheryl Abrams. Hannah will be attending the University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth-Honor’s College majoring in English with the ultimate goal of becoming a teacher. Hannah was a member of STEEL-Students That Exemplify Extraordinary Leadership. Through this organization Hannah was involved with many community service events, one in particular was a prom pop-up dress/suit drive. She has played field hockey, been a member of Student Council, Environmental and Yearbook Clubs. Hannah was also a member of the National Honor Society. Leadership and Hannah go hand in hand. During her junior year Hannah was the recipient of two book awards: The Bridgewater State University and University of Vermont. Hannah received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. Hannah also received the Presidential Award for Service. Hannah was the recipient of the Westport Education Foundation’s Academic Scholarship, the Jaden Araujo Memorial Scholarship, The Westport River Watershed Merit Award, the Potter Funeral Service Scholarship, the Lisa Branco Bellavance Memorial Scholarship and the John H. Brown Scholarship-Dartmouth Grange. 

OLIVIA HOK 

Fifth 

Olivia Hok is the fifth ranked student in the Class of 2025 at Westport Middle High School. Olivia is the daughter of Sophoin and Teresa Hok. Olivia will be attending New York University in the fall majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Chinese. Olivia has been a member of STEEL-Students That Exemplify Extraordinary Leadership. As a member, Olivia volunteers for many programs within the school and Westport community. She is also a member of the Student Council as a class representative and Vice President, a member of the Garden Club, Medical Club, The National Honor Society and Big Buddies. Olivia was a recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the President’s Award for Service. She received the Saint Anne’s Credit Union Scholarship, the Westport Woman’s Club Scholarship, the Westport Police Association-Daniel Sullivan Scholarship, and the Prima Care Scholarship. Olivia also received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for MCAS excellence. Olivia’s long-term goal is to become a Medical Doctor, and it is obvious she is on her way. 

JULIA GEORGE 

Sixth 

The student ranked sixth in the Class of 2025 for Westport Middle High School is Julia George. Julia is the daughter of John and Jillian George. Julia will be attending Boston University in the fall majoring in Data Science. Julia has been a three-sport athlete for Westport Middle High School and was the recipient of the Athlete for All Seasons Award. She received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the Presidential Award for Service. Julia also received the AP Statistics Award for the Math Department. Julia was the recipient of the Jaden Araujo Memorial Scholarship, the Fall River Rotary Award Scholarship, the Domingo’s-Silva Scholarship as well as the John H. Brown Scholarship- Dartmouth Grange. Julia was a member of STEEL-Students That Exemplify Extraordinary Leadership. As a member Julia served her community in many ways through food drives, assisting with events at the primary and elementary schools and a prom pop-up shop to name a few. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Wildcat Ambassadors. As a three-sport athlete, Julia represented Westport while playing soccer, basketball and softball. This young woman’s versatility will be the catalyst for her success.

EMMA HATHAWAY 

Seventh 

Emma Hathaway, the daughter of Ryan and Ann Hathaway is the seventh ranked student in Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025. Emma will be attending Lesley University in the fall majoring in Art Therapy. Emma was a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Newspaper, Yearbook and Garden Club. She was also a member of the International Exchange Club. She played Tennis and Volleyball for the Westport Middle High School. She was the recipient of the Saint Anselm’s Book Award in her junior year and a recipient of the John and Abigail Adams. Scholarship for MCAS excellence. During our Award and Scholarship Night, Emma was the recipient of the Art Department’s 3D Art Award, the Citizenship Award for her kindness and respect of others, the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, and the Presidential Award for Service. She received the Westport Lion’s Club Harold S. Wood Scholarship, the Westport River Watershed Merit Award, the Lydia Poole Barker Art Scholarship, the Jane Dufault Music Scholarship, the Domingos-Silva Scholarship, Clube Madeirense Scholarship, Westport Federation of Teachers Scholarship, the John Brown Scholarship-Dartmouth Grange and the Grimshaw Gudewicz Scholarship. This young woman’s talent, authenticity and humanity will serve her well in her career path. 

JOHN KEANE JR. 

Eighth 

John Keane Jr. the son of John and Stephanie Keane ranked eighth in the Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025. John will be attending the University of Massachusetts-Amherst-Isenberg School of Management in the fall. John is interested in Sports Management and Communications. John was the Class President this year along with being a member of STEEL-Students That Exemplify Leadership, the National Honor Society, a member of the Drama Club, a Big Buddie, a member of the Newspaper Club, along with being a Varsity tennis player and this year a Lacrosse player. This well-rounded young man has an extremely bright future. He received the Principal’s Award, the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the Presidential Award for Service. John also received a Citizenship Award for his ability to lead others with kindness and empathy. John received the Scholar Athlete Award. John received an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate for his dedication and commitment to the Westport School Committee as the Student Representative for four years. John was the recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for MCAS excellence along with the Jane Dufault Music Scholarship and the Tyler Joseph Leonard Memorial Scholarship and the Fall River Rotary Scholarship. 

EMMA BESSETTE 

Ninth 

Emma Bessette is the ninth ranked student in Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025. Emma is the daughter of Melisssa Bessette. Emma will be attending Boston University in the fall. She hasn’t made up her mind which major she will focus on, but her interests lie in the medical and law fields. Emma works extremely hard in and out of school in pursuit of her dreams. Emma received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the Presidential Award for Service. Emma was a member of the National Honor Society, Medical Club, Environmental Club, Student Council and Big Buddies. Emma was a tutor for younger students and a volunteer for school events like, Credit for Life. She was the recipient of the John Moniz Memorial Scholarship, the Luther Bowman Scholarship-South Coast Community Foundation, and the American Red Cross-Medical Club Scholarships.

SIMON ALMEIDA 

Tenth 

Simon Almeida is the tenth ranked student for the Westport Middle High School’s Class of 2025. Simon will be attending Diman Regional Vocational Night School Program to attain his license as an electrician. Simon works alongside his father as an apprentice in the electrical field. Simon has earned his license to be a scuba diver and participates in dives during his free time. Simon was the recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for Academic Excellence. At our Award and Scholarship Night, Simon received the Citizenship Award for his responsible and respectful character. He also was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. Simon was also recognized for his academic prowess and integrity by the English. Department. This young man’s calm and quiet personality is a welcome in this fast-paced world. And his dedication to his education will serve him well in his future endeavors.