"I didn't plan to be salutatorian but I think my work ethic led to that," said the 18-year-old Duran who will speak to classmates as the student with the second highest grade-point average. "I have to admit, I put a lot of pressure on myself. My grandmother was salutatorian and my sister was fourth in her class in 2005. I just always had a great work ethic."
Class valedictorian Salerni, 17, also attributed his high standing to a work ethic that he inherited from his family. "I think it springs from my family," he said. "I always want to do better, the best I can."
Both will give speeches during the graduation ceremony at the Chevrolet Theater and both have been involved in academic and athletic pursuits during their four years as high school students, they said.
Salerni played baseball, tennis and ran track and cross-country. He was a member of the History Club, the Film Club, the Italian National Honor Society, the Italian Club, all while taking several advanced placement college-level courses. His honors include the Trinity Book Award, the Top Scholar Award, and the Social Studies Student of the Year Award. He will study history or political science at Boston College in the fall.
"I actually grew up in New Britain and moved here the first week of my freshman year," Salerni said. "I am so glad I had this opportunity because I received an impeccable education here."
One of Salerni's favorite memories of high school was attending the Scholars Breakfast for students who had achieved at least an A minus grade-point average. "I think it's good they are promoting academics," he said. "It's an incentive for kids to do well." Duran loved high school and the opportunities to get involved in as many teams and clubs as possible.
"I'll never forget high school. I loved the opportunities to get involved in sports and the National Honor Society," she said. "It's a lot more close-knit than middle school. We do things as a team even when the season is over."
Duran also carried a full load of AP classes while playing on the tennis and cross country teams. She participated in the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, where she served as president and vice-president, the Spanish Club, the Adventure Club and the Model United Nations. She plans on majoring in speech pathology and audiology at the University of Maryland at College Park. "What I would tell other kids who want to succeed is, get to know your teachers," she said. "Fifty percent of a class is liking a teacher and getting to know them as a person. If you like them, they'll motivate you. And it's very difficult to learn when you're not motivated."
Lisa Backus can be reached at lbackus@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, ext. 223.