Sophie Derman and Laila Valentino are preparing for their next chapter as they start college after graduating from Rhinebeck High School as the Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
“The Rhinebeck High School faculty and I are proud to celebrate the work and achievements of these deserving students,” said Edwin Davenport, high school principal. “We wish them continued success in their post-secondary careers.”
Derman is planning to study political science at Georgetown University as she pursues a career in law.
“I think I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to study something government related,” she said. “Between 10th and 11th grade, I did a pre-college program at Columbia University and we were looking at political and economic ideologies of the modern world. It was a theory oriented class and that was really where I solidified my desire.”
The senior added, “I felt like being in D.C. would be beneficial for my future in terms of internships and jobs that would be available. I visited it in 10th grade. It’s such an amazing city, and Georgetown itself, it’s so picturesque and beautiful. The school has a very good reputation for the fields I want to go into.”
Derman moved to the Rhinebeck district from Brooklyn before the start of her sophomore year.
“I’m going to miss the community I’ve built here, the friends I have and the families I know,” she said. “There is a real sense of love that I’m surrounded with here.”
Derman served as president of Interact, Spanish Club and Advocates for Community Transformation. She also is a member of the Alice T. Daly Chapter of the National Honor Society and treasurer of her class council.
Derman, who played varsity girls soccer and varsity tennis, was named AP Scholar With Distinction and recently received the New York State Seal of Biliteracy for her proficiency in Spanish. She conducted research at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, investigating how high achieving middle schoolers view themselves as learners. She also volunteered at the local library, providing tech help to senior citizens.
The daughter of Jeff Derman and Florien Bouwmeester has a younger sister, Rio Derman, and enjoys traveling, tennis, hiking, visiting New York City and hanging out with family and friends.
“Family is everything to me,” she said. “They are the people I’m closest to in my life. We do so many things together. I adore my family.”
Valentino will study biological sciences at Binghamton University as she begins pursuing a career as a doctor.
“I think I’m ready for that challenge,” said Valentino, who took eight AP classes and an English class through Dutchess Community College at Rhinebeck. “I’m used to being busy and working hard. If it’s what I want to do, I’ll be able to get it done.”
The daughter of Frank and Mary Valentino said her mom is truly inspiring in her pursuit of a career in medicine.
“I definitely look up to my mom as a person and for what she does,” she said. “She was a nurse and a couple of years ago she went back to school and received another degree to become a nurse practitioner. I’m really happy she did that and I admire that. I know she wanted to do that for a long time and got it done while working and doing everything for my brother and I.”
Valentino is a member of the Alice T. Daly Chapter of the National Honor Society and Peer Leadership Club, and is an active member of the community as part of the Centerstage Dance Studio and as a Red Cross volunteer.
Valentino, who has an older brother Jacob, said she enjoys dancing.
“I’ve done it my whole life,” she said of dancing. “Dance is a fun thing to do. It’s a good outlet and I like to have something outside of school. I like ballet and the people there.”