Jonathan Ong, Valedictorian, Blair High School

Blair High School Valedictorian, Jonathan Ong, is heading to the College of Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC) and is a candidate for the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD). Jonathan has always excelled in mathematics, taking AP Calculus in ninth grade and completing several courses at Pasadena City College (PCC) where he began concurrent enrollment classes in the summer before ninth grade.

Carli Bertonneau, Valedictorian, Center for Independent Studies Academy (CIS)

Carli Bertonneau will study theater at Emerson College this fall after becoming Valedictorian at the Center for Independent Studies Academy (CIS). She began at CIS as a freshman and says the school allowed her to complete all of her coursework in three years and helped her graduate an entire year early.

Kennedy Hackett, Valedictorian, John Muir Early College Magnet

Kennedy Hackett is headed to Harvard University this fall after becoming the first student to graduate from John Muir High School (JMHS) Early College Magnet with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree in Natural Science from Pasadena City College through a joint partnership between the college and Pasadena Unified School District.

Benjamin Karish, Valedictorian, Marshall Fundamental

Marshall Fundamental graduate Benjamin Karish is heading to the University of California, Berkeley, after becoming a Class of 2022 Valedictorian. Ben’s academic career soared as a Marshall Eagle since 9th grade. He attended Willard Elementary for grades K-5. At Marshall, Ben has been active in Frisbee Club, Math Club, Chess Club, Jewish Club, and was the Science Bowl Captain his junior and senior years.

Kareem Shaheen, Valedictorian, Marshall Fundamental

Class of 2022 Valedictorian Kareem Shaheen is bound for Yale University. His academic career flourished at Sierra Madre Middle School and then at Marshall Fundamental where he became involved in several extracurricular activities including the National Honor Society, the Journalism Club, the Mock Trial Team, the Science Bowl Team, the Astrophysics Club, Math Club, Model United Nations, Science National Honor Society, and the Middle Eastern Club.

Brianna Gaugh, Valedictorian, Pasadena High School

Multitalented is an understatement when it comes to Pasadena High School (PHS) Valedictorian Brianna Gaughn. An outstanding student, Brianna is also a figure skater, violinist, and dedicated volunteer who also happens to speak Armenian and Russian. She plans to attend UCLA this fall to study chemical engineering.

Tosten Pearson, Valedictorian, Pasadena High School

Pasadena High School graduate Tosten Pearson is heading to Brown University this fall after becoming a PHS Class of 2022 Valedictorian. A writer for his school newspaper since freshman year, his academic success story will go down in the pages of Bulldog history. For the last year, he has also led the school’s “Pasadena Chronicle'' as Editor-in-Chief.

Breannah Herrera, Valedictorian, Rose City High School

Breannah enrolled at Rose City High School in the fall of 2020, her junior year, significantly behind in course credits. In a little over 18 months, she caught up and completed almost 180 class credits with a 3.7 GPA. Brianna created and presented her senior defense portfolio, which is required of all graduates of the Pasadena Unified School District, early enough to graduate by March 2022.