Now that graduation looms upon us, many prepare to say their final goodbyes and gather for their final moments as high schoolers. 

Two Venice students have shown tremendous achievement, which is why they were named Venice High’s Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian—Angela Yang and Joyce Yang.

Venice Class of 2021 Valedictorian: Angela Yang

Graduating GPA: 4.875

What college are you attending and what major?

“I will be attending UCLA, and my major is Neuroscience.”

What teachers or staff will you miss?

“Is it cheating to say all of them? I will especially miss Mr. Buccieri and Ms. Chew, as I can’t come back to visit them anymore but, I will truthfully miss all of my teachers.”

What is your favorite memory of Venice?

“I really enjoyed when I was able to arrange for a frog dissection with Ms. Bare one sunny afternoon, comparing frog stomach contents. We went at it with abandon. Someone found a way to get the brain, and Joyce cut off both legs of her frog. It was a lot of fun.”

Who is your biggest inspiration or motivation?

“Who? I suppose myself. If it interests me, I want to try it. I’ve gained a lot of hobbies this way: drawing, sewing clothes, crochet, organic chemistry, herpetology, and many more.”

How does it feel to be Valedictorian?

“I am proud of myself, but I also feel like people put too much value in GPA.”

Where do you see yourself years from now?

“Doing whatever the heck I want as always. If it were to be what I want now, I would want to start a business around an app I’m building to teach organic synthesis.”

Venice Class of 2021 Salutatorian: Joyce Yang

Graduating GPA: 4.75

What college are you attending and what major?

“I will be majoring in Human Biology and Society at UCLA.”

What teachers and staff will you miss?

“I will miss Ms. DiPadova, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Witham, Ms. Richard, Mr. Gudani, and Mr. Buccieri. These teachers taught me a lot about the world as well as myself.”

What is your favorite memory of Venice?

“My favorite memory was going back to school to pick up my cap and gown and seeing all my friends as well as the school after a year of distance learning—a very bittersweet moment.”

Who is your biggest inspiration or motivation?

“My biggest motivation is the manifestation of my future self living my dream life.”

How does it feel to be Salutatorian?

“It feels pretty cool!”

Where do you see yourself years from now?

“Years from now, I see myself living in a nice high-rise apartment in an urban area with my cat, while making lots of money and being happy. If my future goals stay the same as those now, I’ll be a medical student or a resident pursuing a specialty in cardiology or neurology.”