Meet the 2024 Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Valedictorian and Salutatorian

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Two Mount Vernon STEAM Academy students are graduating at the top of an already impressive class and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

From the Mount Vernon City School District.

The highest honor a student can receive upon graduation from high school is to be named valedictorian or salutatorian, an accomplishment awarded to those who have worked hard to maintain one of the two highest GPAs in their class. promotion. Mount Vernon STEAM Academy has named Damaris Ferrer as valedictorian and Margaret Djamongue as salutatorian.
Damaris Ferrer was named valedictorian with a cumulative GPA of 101. Ferrer is a student who is very involved in the community and school, and her accomplishments are on par with the work she has done over the past four years .

“For me, being valedictorian means having some form of recognition for the hard work I have done over the last four years,” Ferrer said. “It also shows how much the teachers helped me and how all the advice and support I received helped me become valedictorian.”

For the past four years, Ferrer has dedicated himself to taking rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses, such as AP Government, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus. She took nine AP courses in total during her time at STEAM.

“It’s a challenge,” Ferrer said. “But it’s also good to take because I feel like it’s a preview of the college classes I’m going to take in the future.”

She is also involved in her community through extracurricular activities. Ferrer was a former member of the Mount Vernon varsity volleyball team and is currently a member of the STEAM Academy student government. In student government, she helped raise funds to support the prom and senior trip. Ferrer also helped create events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month.

Ferrer also enjoys working with younger children. She attended Benjamin Turner Academy’s STEM Night, where she volunteered, helping younger children get involved and develop a love for the STEM field. Ferrer also volunteered in the children’s section of the New York Botanical Garden, creating scientific knowledge through plant life.

“I really enjoy working with young kids,” Ferrer said. “But I’m a STEM person, so being able to do both at the same time has really helped me pursue my passion and encourage the other generation to do the same.”

Ferrer’s hard work in her education led her to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She was accepted into the Simon STEM Scholars Program, a specialized program that offers a full scholarship, access to research opportunities, and in-house advising and tutoring that supports students academically. In addition to receiving the Simon STEM Scholarship, Ferrer also received the Corporate
Scholarship at the Carroll F. Johnson Academic Achievement Dinner, hosted by the Lower Hudson Board of School Superintendents in May.

“I’m looking forward to being able to meet new people and make new connections,” she said, expressing excitement about attending Stony Brook. “I also look forward to expanding my interest in the STEM field and benefiting from new research opportunities.”

Margaret Djamongue was named salutatorian of the Class of 2024 at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy with a cumulative GPA of 100. During her four years in high school, she was very involved academically and in extracurricular activities, joining several clubs social services, community service organizations and professional development opportunities.

“It’s a really big accomplishment to be named salutatorian of the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy,” Djamongue said of her recent achievement. “Especially because of the hard work and dedication I’ve put in.”

She has taken nine Advanced Placement (AP) courses in total, but notes that AP Government, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry are her favorite courses. These classes pushed Djamongue to his limits and lit the fire that allowed him to pursue a career in the medical field.

“During AP Chemistry class, I decided to stay strict with myself,” Djamongue said. “I used resources like Khan Academy and YouTube to help me when I was struggling. My teacher was also very available to help us after school, which helped me pass the course.”

Like many students, she points out that the COVID-19 virus has affected her academically, but she hasn’t let that stop her.

“I lost a lot of motivation to continue my education during COVID,” Djamongue said. “I’ve definitely improved over these four years.”

She notes that the support of her family, peers and teachers helped her overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and emerge victorious.

Djamongue was part of three clubs during his time at STEAM; the Gamers Club, the Art Club and a night activities club where students were allowed to play sports like badminton and volleyball. Participating in these clubs taught her to be more social and to value teamwork.

Djamongue volunteers for two community craft service organizations – Wishing Crane and Care Crafts Project – through which she earns volunteer hours in exchange for creating arts and crafts to give to hospital patients. It gives patients hope and makes them smile, which is a big part of why they participate. Djamongue also participated in a two-week summer program called Envision by WorldStrides, which allowed him to gain hands-on experience in the medical field.

She was accepted to several schools, including SUNY Binghamton, the University of Connecticut, and Iona University. Djamongue will attend Mercy University in the fall and pursue the physician assistant program offered by the university. She is a recipient of Mercy University’s Presidential Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated academic merit. Djamongue was inspired by her father and several family members to pursue her studies in the medical field.

“Damaris and Margaret demonstrated superior performance at MV STEAM,” said Principal Christopher Pearce. “Their determination to persevere until success happens (PUSH) allowed them to rise to the top. Damaris and Margaret set an incredible example for MV STEAM researchers to follow. Their astonishing achievements are just one step in their successful journey to a bright and rewarding future. Damaris and Margaret are at the top. The MV STEAM community is proud of their achievements.