For Jesus Barrios, being named the valedictorian of Amityville Memorial High School’s Class of 2025 is more than just a title. It’s a triumph that represents years of growth, determination, and resilience. “It’s an absolute honor to be the valedictorian of the Amityville Class of 2025,” Jesus shared. “This achievement means the world to me. I thought I was out of the running for the longest time, but I never gave up and kept working for it. I’m still in shock.”
Jesus attributes his academic success to unwavering discipline and sacrifice. “To reach the top, it definitely takes making significant sacrifices,” he explained. “There were multiple instances where I had to choose between completing schoolwork or studying and hanging out with friends. I learned discipline by forcing myself to put my education first, which meant not procrastinating.”
His advice for fellow students is clear: avoid cramming and manage time wisely. “Instead of cramming all of the notes before the big exam, spread out studying across the week. Cramming makes you forget information in the long run. Additionally, procrastination puts you behind on work, which eventually adds up and becomes overwhelming.”
Despite his impressive achievements, Jesus admits his path wasn’t always straight. “I didn’t take my freshman and sophomore years seriously,” he revealed. “I frequently missed school due to bad sleep habits and at that point didn’t really have goals for myself. I thought I put myself out of the race, but I kept moving forward.”
In addition to academics, Jesus has been deeply involved in the school community. He serves as President of Scholarly Wings, Vice President of Student Council, President of Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Amityville Echo, and is an active member of the National Honor Society. “These organizations gave me an opportunity to serve as a role model for others and to give back to the community using all that I’ve learned,” he said.
Jesus credits several teachers for helping him achieve his goals. “A big shoutout goes to Mr. Zider, Mrs. Schulken, Mr. Greiss, and Mr. Zwerling. All of these teachers have supported me through the journey and have allowed me to excel. If you’re reading this, thank you for everything.”
Reflecting on how high school shaped him, Jesus emphasized lessons learned beyond the classroom. “The major lessons that I can take away from the high school experience are taking initiative, being responsible, using failures as opportunities for growth, making sacrifices, and giving back to the community. My journey wasn’t a straight path. There were many twists and turns along the way.”
For the Class of 2025 and beyond, Jesus has this message: “Never let where you start determine where you finish. Work hard, stay true to yourself, and when something comes your way, stand back up stronger. The future is yours to build, so make it something incredible.”
Looking back, Jesus wishes he’d approached his early high school years differently. “I wish I would’ve taken my freshman and sophomore years of high school more seriously. I had big goals, but I wasn’t setting myself up to achieve them.”
As he prepares for the future, Jesus’s ambitions are as impressive as his accomplishments. “I will be studying Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at Harvard University. I’ve always had the entrepreneurship spirit, taking direct initiative to address problems rather than sitting around and waiting. I plan to enter the field of educational technology and combine technology with education in an effort to improve learning outcomes.”
He also expressed gratitude for the support that’s helped make his next steps possible. “A massive thanks goes towards the Horatio Alger Association and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for providing scholarships to make this dream a reality.”
From overcoming early struggles to leading his class as valedictorian, Jesus Barrios is proof that perseverance and passion can transform any path, and Amityville is proud to call him one of its own.
Congratulations, Jesus, and best of luck at Harvard and beyond!
