By Gemard Guery – News & Editorial Editor

Diya Daruka has officially been named Jonathan Law’s Class of 2022 valedictorian.

Daruka will be attending Duke University and plans on double majoring in Economics and Statistical Science with concentrations in Finance and Data Science.

“It definitely feels great and I’m extremely happy,” Daruka said. “I’ve worked very hard for this so it’s nice to see that I was able to accomplish it.”

Daruka took 14 AP classes during her time at Jonathan Law while being involved in many activities both inside and outside of school.  

“Some APs I’ve taken are United States Government and Politics, United States History, Statistics, Language and Composition, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Psychology, Human Geography, Computer Science Principles,” Daruka said.  I’m currently taking Macroeconomics, Literature and Composition, Seminar, Physics, and Computer Science A.”

“For me, Diya is one of those students that I will never forget.  I would even say that she is one of a kind,” math teacher Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “She is exactly what a teacher wants and wishes every student could be like.”

Diya is the President of the National Math Honor Society, treasurer of Key Club, Vice President of Science Club, Founder of FBLA, and a member of the National Honor Society.  She also started a nonprofit financial literacy course which she teaches to  students from third to twelfth grade.  Outside of school, Diya is the President of the Keystone Club at the Boys and Girls Club of Milford and also serves on the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America Teen Leadership Board.

“She has excellent time management and is able to maintain all of her extracurriculars, her schoolwork, and her social life, which I find admirable,”  senior Katherine Froelick said. “She is genuinely one of the brightest people that I know, and her ability to work so hard on everything that she does is truly something to be proud of.”

In addition to being valedictorian, Daruka has won a lot of her accolades during her time at Jonathan Law. In addition to numerous school awards and graduating with distinction, she is a Coca-Cola Scholar, Boys and Girls Clubs of Connecticut Youth of the Year, and National Merit Scholar Commended Student.  

“I have only known Diya for a few months during my time here at Law, but she is a kind, passionate and intelligent young lady who exemplifies exactly what we expect from all of our students,” Jonathan Law Principal Mr. Darcy said.

While Daruka worked incredibly hard to achieve this,  she is incredibly grateful for the supportive community around her.

“I’d like to thank my family, especially my mom, the administration and teachers I’ve had at Jonathan Law, my neighbors, and my friends,” Daruka said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without each and every one of them.”