2019 Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians Announced

Jianing Wu from Hangzhou, China was named valedictorian of the St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2019. Jen Rotti and Lia Rotti were named co-salutatorians.

St. Johnsbury Academy has announced the valedictorian and co-salutatorians for the Class of 2019. Jianing Wu of Hangzhou, China, was named valedictorian; Jen Rotti and Lia Rotti of Danville, Vermont were named co-salutatorians.

Valedictorian Jianing Wu has received many awards and honors during her high school career. She received the Kinmay W. Tang Scholarship, gold, silver and bronze medals in the Vermont Science Olympiad, three merit prizes in the UVM Prize Math competition, and first prizes for the Colwell Center Travel Photography and Travel Writing contests. She was a semi-finalist in the 2019 Rotary speech contest, and she was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. In addition to her academic achievements, Jianing has participated in a number of activities. She is a core member of The Ninth World, a non-profit organization in China, and is co-captain of both the Science Olympiad team, and the varsity tennis team. She is a member of St. Johnsbury Academy’s Dorm Council, Student Government, National Honor Society, Community Service Resource Club, and Math Club, and serves the admissions department as a Student Ambassador. Jianing will attend the University of Southern California.

Co-salutatorians Jen and Lia Rotti also received many honors during their time at the Academy. Jen received the Wellesley book award, was an AP Scholar, and served as Vice President of the National Honor Society. She is also a talented athlete. Jen played on the varsity soccer team for four years. This year she was elected co-captain and named to the Vermont All-Metro first team. She holds a number of individual medals for track and field including the Division 1 Individual State Champion in the 55-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. She was also a member of the state record holding 4X200 team. Jen is a member of the Hilltones, the National Honor Society, and was named to the Vermont All-State Chorus for four years in a row. Next year Jen will be attending Tufts University.

Lia Rotti’s academic awards include the Rensselaer Medal Award, the UVM Green and Gold Scholarship, and AP Scholar with Honors. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of academics, Lia participated in athletics and performing arts. She was a three-season athlete during all four years at the Academy. She was member of the varsity soccer team and was a 2018 VPA Metro Division Honorable Mention. Lia was also part of the varsity track and field teams. In indoor track, she was the 2018 Division 1 Individual State Champion in the long jump and the 2019 Division 1 Individual State Champion in the triple jump. In outdoor track, Lia won the 2018 Vermont Decathlon and holds the record for most points scored. She was 6th in the javelin at the 2018 New Englands and 9th in the javelin at the 2018 New Balance Nationals. Lia was also part of the Academy’s select choir, the Hilltones, and was selected to the Vermont All-State Chorus for all four years. Lia will be attending Tufts University. 

Headmaster Tom Lovett said, “I think this is the first time we have honored twins as either valedictorian or salutatorian, and this is just one more unique trait of this history-making class. Despite the fact that two of these three young women are twins, they have developed unique and diverse gifts during their time here. They have shown excellence in several fields: they have been key players in some of the very best performances we have witnessed this year in academics, athletics, and the arts. On top of all of those successes, they have shown themselves to be young women of strong character and community spirit. We are proud to announce them as our top scholars, and their families should be proud as well. Congratulations to all of them for jobs well done!”