Meet the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of Great Hearts Arizona

Great Hearts Arizona is delighted to announce the exceptional Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the Class of 2025. These distinguished scholars, representing our academies across the Valley, had the honor of addressing their classmates, families, and faculty at this year’s commencement ceremonies. We celebrate their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to the virtues at the heart of a Great Hearts education.

Anthem Prep Valedictorian, Aleksandar Durickovic

Durickovic plans to attend Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University and will be majoring in economics. He served in numerous leadership roles during his tenure at Anthem Prep. In addition, He was nominated and selected to attend the American Legion’s highly competitive leadership and civics program, Boys State where he was elected to one of the highest positions, Attorney General.

Anthem Prep Co-Salutatorian, Esther Grace Hodge

Hodge plans on pursuing a double major at Arizona State University for chemical engineering as well as civic and economic thought and leadership. She has been highly involved, serving in the mentorship program and the Sunshine Society, yearbook, art club, and development of the academy’s library.

Anthem Prep Co-Salutatorian, McKenna Marie Wherley

Wherley plans on pursuing her degree in pre-veterinarian sciences at Grand Canyon University’s Honors College.  She is a member of the concert choir, has been selected for leadership roles in the mentorship program, and is a member of the inaugural cheer team for Anthem Prep.

Arete Prep Valedictorian, Brook Stoops

Stoops is heading to Grand Canyon University, where she will study elementary education. She has been co-president and integral part of the student life team, a mentor for four years, captain of varsity soccer, a member of sand volleyball team, and also found time to volunteer weekly at her church for the last several years.

Chandler Prep Co-Valedictorian, Amelia Lockery

Lockery will be attending the University of Alabama Honors College to study mechanical engineering. A National Merit Finalist and recipient of the Iron Titan Award, she was recognized for her excellence in both academics and athletics, participating in three varsity sports and being inducted into the Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

Chandler Prep Co-Valedictorian, Kyra Tucker

Tucker will be attending the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering and play softball. She was named Girls’ Titan of the Year for Athletics and earned top honors on her senior thesis, passing with excellence on both her paper and defense.

Cicero Prep Valedictorian, Adam Myers

Myers will major in civil engineering at The Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. He was a member of our inaugural men’s volleyball team last year and won the MVP in the 2025 season. He was a key member of our barber shop quartet and took countless photos for the yearbook, capturing the spirit of the academy.

Cicero Prep Salutatorian, Aviram (Avi) Bejarano

Bejarano will study Aerospace Engineering at The Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. He participated in the inaugural men’s volleyball team, concert choir, and mentor program.

Glendale Prep Co-Valedictorian, Gabriella Le

Le will be studying history at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. She was involved in robotics, track and field, and drama, and she brought curiosity and creativity to everything she did at GP.

Glendale Prep Co-Valedictorian, Natalie Whipple

Whipple will be studying aerospace engineering and psychology at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. She made a big impact at GP through her involvement in softball, cross country, student mentorship, and student senate.

Glendale Prep Salutatorian, Bryan Rogers

Rogers will major in electrical engineering at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. During his time at GP, he was active in robotics, track and field, and drama.

Lincoln Prep Valedictorian, Joshua Harris

Harris is graduating Summa Cum Laude and will attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s honors program.  He plans to major in political science. Harris also earned a perfect ACT score of 36 and is a National Merit Finalist. His thesis was titled “Humans Are Museums, Not Paintings: Finding Truth and Constancy in Self-Identity.”

Lincoln Prep Salutatorian, Dylan Thomas

Thomas is graduating Summa Cum Laude. He will attend The George Washington University to study international business. Dylan’s thesis is titled “Sacred Protections: The Case for Distinct Religious Institutions.” Thomas was also recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar.

Maryvale Prep Valedictorian, Bridgette Luna Granillo

Granillo will pursue a degree in medical studies at ASU, pre-med. She was recently named the Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year for District 5 and a recipient a scholarship from the 2025 International Moose Youth Awareness Congress.

Maryvale Prep Salutatorian, Katelyn Torres

Torres will attend Grand Canyon University for her bachelor’s degree studying political science with future plans of going on to law school. She’s a football manager, track athlete, and an avid volunteer at her church.

North Phoenix Prep Valedictorian, Lucy Stuckenberg

Stuckenberg will attend Seton Hall University in New Jersey to participate in the BS-MD program, honors program, and Buccino Leadership Institute. She is a multi-recipient of awards for mathematics, science, fine arts, school spirit, and a perfect academic record. She is a leader in our Student Service Organization and senate, Lanista and student mentor programs.

North Phoenix Prep Salutatorian, Yana Konstantinov

Konstantinov has chosen to study mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor where she has received a prestigious engineering scholarship. She was a multi-recipient of awards for Socratic seminar, leadership, economics, and a perfect academic record in addition to athletic awards, like MVP and AIA All-Region Player. The All-Region Player award this fall recognized her as the top volleyball player in our division – a testament to her remarkable skill and leadership as team Captain.

Scottsdale Prep Valedictorian, Alfredo Santos

Santos will be attending Duke University next fall, where he plans to double-major in public health and public policy on the pre-med track. He is the Team Captain of both the varsity cross country and track & field teams, both of which have qualified for the State Tournament multiple times. He is also the President of the PreMed Club, a Class Lead in the mentoring program, a council member of Diakonos, and an instructor in the writing and seminar Lab.

Scottsdale Prep Salutatorian, Alex DaCorte

DaCorte will be attending Northwestern University with close to $300,000 in scholarships. He plans to major in economics with double minors in business institutions and entrepreneurship. He co-founded a community service club. Raised in Uzbekistan during his early childhood, he is bilingual in Russian and continues to deepen his understanding of Russian literature and linguistics through extracurricular study.

Trivium Prep Valedictorian, Emily Hager

Hager plans to attend Barrett, the Honors College at ASU and study biological sciences. She was a leader in multiple circles – from musical theater, Future Farmers of America, honors choir, and student mentorship. She maintained a perfect GPA, even while taking a zero-period class of agriscience and competing in several regional and state FFA competitions.

Trivium Prep Salutatorian, Javan Brown

Brown plans on pursing business and finance at Barrett, the Honors College at ASU. He was awarded national recognition for his competitive PSAT score as a junior student. He also committed four years to the varsity soccer program, bringing home the 2A State Runner Up title his senior year.  In addition, he competed in varsity golf and mock trial for three years. He is also very involved in his church and community service.

Veritas Prep Co-Valedictorian, Margaret (Maggie) Powell

Powell will attend the University of Notre Dame to study marketing. In high school she was involved in women’s choir, VPA chorale, editor of the 56th Street Journal, mentoring, cross country, musicals. She was the editor of the yearbook this year and helped launch the peer tutoring program at the academy.

Veritas Prep Co-Valedictorian, McKenzie Perrault

Perrault is heading to Concordia University Irvine to study finance and sports business. She will be playing collegiate beach volleyball for the university. In high school, she was involved in – varsity beach volleyball, varsity indoor volleyball, varsity basketball, club beach volleyball, women’s choir, VPA chorale, accounting Intern, babysitting, and Newton House leader. She was recognized as a National Merit Scholar.

Veritas Prep Co-Salutatorian, Lillian (Lily) Davis

Davis will attend the Barrett, the Honors College at ASU to study early childhood education, wanting to become a teacher. In high school she was involved in Veritas Prep chorale, women’s choir, Horse Riding and Care, and Great Hearts Great Hands.

Veritas Prep Co-Salutatorian, Trinity Lindsay

Lindsay is heading to Hillsdale, where she participated in the Hillsdale summer Europe trip. She is undecided what her major will be, but she is minoring in music and received a music merit-scholarship. She has been involved in mock trial, chorale, women’s choir, track and field, house leadership, mentor program, Les Misérables, Dogg’s Hamlet and Cahoots Macbeth, and barbershop group.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Your future is bright, and your Great Hearts family will be cheering you on every step of the way.

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