The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Class of 2018 valedictorians, salutatorian named
MIDDLETOWN — At the closing of the senior tree dedication ceremony, Jennifer Magnoli and Hanting “Heidy” Wang were named co-valedictorians and Maeve Williams salutatorian of the Class of 2018.
Magnoli, of Southington, is the daughter of Robert and Kathleen Magnoli. She has been an outstanding scholar and student leader during her four years at Mercy High School, according to a press release. Due to her academic talents, Magnoli has been enrolled in honors and advanced placement courses throughout her time at Mercy. She has distinguished herself as a student, and as a result, has been presented with numerous academic accolades such as the Yale University Book Award and departmental awards across all disciplines, the release said.
She has made positive contributions to Mercy as president of the McAuley Chapter of the National Honor Society, president of the Spanish National Honor Society, a member of Mercy Ambassadors, Library Club and Show Choir. She has dedicated hours of community service at St. Paul’s Church in Kensington and Hatton School in Southington, according to Mercy.
Magnoli attended Laurel Girls State in her junior year and received the Samsung Scholarship for her academic achievements, service contributions and leadership. In addition, she has participated and has been recognized for her accomplishments in American Legion High School Oratorical Competitions over the last three years. She was named State Champion for 2016 and 2018 and has competed on the national level, the release said.
She will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall pursuing a major in finance.
Wang, a resident of Shanghai, China, is the daughter of Bin Wang and Weiwei Tang and Middletown host parents Rick and Lori Flynn. She has been an outstanding scholar during her time at Mercy High School, according to the release. She has enrolled in academically rigorous honors and AP courses. As a result of her academic success, Wang has been recognized as the recipient of numerous academic distinctions such as the Harvard Book Prize, AP World History Award, AP Calculus Award, was named as an AP Scholar, and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
She has attended the Wesleyan High School Scholars Program for three semesters. In addition, in the summer of her junior year, Wang interned at the Bank of Everbright in Shanghai. She hopes to pursue a career in business.
Wang is one of the founding members and captain of the Mercy’s highly competitive math team and is the top-ranked senior of the club, the release continued. She is also a member of the Chinese Club, MYARC, the Transfer Team, and Mercy Ambassadors. As a member of the Chinese Club, she organized one of the first Chinese New Year celebrations at Mercy High School. Wang has devoted numerous hours of service as manager of the volleyball team.
She will attend Washington University in St. Louis and major in business.
Williams, of Middletown, is the daughter of Vincent Williams and Clare Manzi, salutatorian of her class at Mercy. She has been a leader by example with imaginative ideas and through her compassionate actions during her four years at Mercy, according to the school.
Williams’ Mercy accolades began before she was an official student at Mercy as she was awarded one of two Norwich Diocese scholarships to attend Mercy based on her academic scholarship and being a member of the Diocese or Norwich.
One of her qualities is that she has the ability to think and plan for the long-term, but she in all the work along the way, accomplishing the short-term goals that have led to her long-term success, the release said. She is an AP Scholar with Honor, PSAT Commended Scholar and Connecticut Governor’s Scholar Semi-finalist. She has won academic awards in biology, English, chemistry, music recording and AP World History.
Williams has impressed her teachers and counselors over her years at Mercy, not just academically, but in her personal qualities as well, the school said. She is one of the humblest students about her prolific gifts, her teachers said, adding she has an analytical mind and methodical approach to problem solving — a natural fit with the scientific methods needed in research. Williams volunteered at Wesleyan University’s Organic Chemistry Lab and plans to pursue a career in medical research.
She is a Mercy ambassador, volunteer of MYARC, a peer minister, member of the National and Spanish National honor societies. She has participated in local and international mission trips and pilgrimages and was a peer tutor in chemistry and algebra.
Williams has been a dedicated runner throughout her time at Mercy, participating in three varsity sports: indoor track, outdoor track and cross country.
Williams will continue her education at Georgetown University this fall.