By Marcela Rodrigues at Boston Globe
As a 2-year-old, Leah Baptista Pires started dancing around her family’s kitchen in Dorchester, developing a passion for ballet that taught her discipline and determination.
In elementary school, Pires was told she couldn’t keep up with her peers, the words forming like a steady drum beat in her mind. But they only made her stronger. Once she started high school at Boston Arts Academy, Pires was determined she would beat the stereotype that athletes can’t succeed in academics too.
“As a young Black girl, sometimes they don’t expect you to be at the top of your class,” she said. “Once I hit high school, I was like ‘this is my time. I’m going to show them that you can be a dancer and also be at the top of your class, regardless of race’.”
After countless hours in the classroom and the dance studio, Pires is headed to New York to attend Fordham University while dancing at the renowned Alvin Ailey school. She will pursue a pre-law track with the hopes of becoming a criminal justice lawyer.
Pires was celebrated along with 32 other Boston valedictorians Tuesday at an annual luncheon at Fenway Park held by the city and Boston Public Schools.
Dozens of family members watched their graduates receive a certificate and shake hands with Mayor Michelle Wu, Superintendent Mary Skipper, and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson.
“You could have taken an easier route. You could have decided just to put off homework or do something that would give you a little bit more time to maybe relax or hang out with friends,” Wu said to the valedictorians. “You made a hard choice — time after time after time — to invest in yourselves.”
Wu, a valedictorian herself, congratulated the students on their achievements while urging them to consider staying in Boston or returning to the city if they go away for college.
“This is your home. It always will be, and I wouldn’t be doing my job as mayor if I weren’t making a pitch that we need your leadership here in this community,” she said.
Christina Yang, the valedictorian of the Josiah Quincy Upper School, is staying in the city to attend Boston University.
Yang wants to become an educator, maybe a teacher or counselor. She said her experience as a student has inspired her to pursue a career in education.
“I see myself working in a school setting with children and helping to seek advocacy for the younger generation,” Yang said. “I have a very compassionate heart for younger people, and I love working with little kids.”
After struggling during her freshman year, Yang said she learned how to advocate for herself and seek support when needed. A daughter of Chinese immigrants, she will be the first generation in her family to attend college.
“From South America and Italy to Vietnam and Dorchester, our valedictorians truly come from all over the world,” said Robinson, the school board chair. “Your journeys are a testament to the rich tapestry of our community and the strength that lies in our diversity.”
Skipper said 60 percent of the valedictorians are the first in their families to go to college, while 40 percent are from other countries.
“In a time when we question in narratives — federally — the value of our immigrants, this room is an example of the value of our immigrants,” Skipper said.
Many valedictorians worked jobs while in high school, while others were caretakers for young siblings, Skipper added.
“You have the opportunity and obligation to take all that talent that each of you possesses and go to a next level with it,” she told the graduates.
Among the colleges the students will attend include Harvard, Northwestern, UMass Amherst, Smith College, and Bowdoin College.
Kaylee Nguyen, valedictorian of TechBoston Academy, will attend Northeastern University on a full scholarship, majoring in accounting.
As part of the class of 2025, she transitioned from middle to high school during the pandemic and struggled with the social adjustment.
“I was really scared of what people thought of me. But once you surround yourself around people who are like you, then you’re free to do whatever,” she said.
Pires, who delivered a keynote address to the attendees, told the crowd the valedictorian title is bigger than grades, awards, or a speech. It comes with responsibility.
In New York, Pires hopes to dance professionally for the Alvin Ailey company and to inspire younger people to follow their dreams, regardless of the obstacles.
“This is what the next generation is looking for. They’re looking at me as an example,” Pires said. “I really worked for this, but now I have a bigger responsibility of going out there and doing amazing work so that the next generation can follow through.”
