West Orange Resident is Mount St. Dominic Academy’s 2024 Valedictorian

Photo Credit: Mount St. Dominic Academy

By Elise Phillips Margulis

Published June 7, 2024 at 8:32 PM

Last Updated June 7, 2024 at 8:32 PM

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CALDWELL, NJ — Erin Araneta, a West Orange resident of almost 18 years, has earned the honor of being Mount Saint Dominic Academy’s 2024 Valedictorian. She enrolled in the school in 2020 for high school. Prior to that, she played  middle school girls' travel volleyball in West Orange and said that that’s when she discovered her love for the sport, which she continues to play and coaches in the summer at a camp.

Araneta found time for many activities in between studying and earning excellent grades. “I founded and headed the Filipino Club, was a member of the Diversity Club, played volleyball and was the student Council’s Secretary of Inclusion,” she shared.

She didn't expect to have the highest grade point average in her class. Araneta said, “I was very surprised when I found out I was valedictorian. I have many intelligent and high-achieving classmates, so I was surprised yet honored to be named the top student.”

Araneta  stated, “I’m beyond honored and grateful to have been named valedictorian. I have spoken in front of my class before, but this achievement gave me the opportunity to speak in front of my class for the last time.”

Another piece of good news for Araneta is that her good friend was named salutatorian. “I was also very pleased and excited that my close friend, Anna Cacciacarne, was named salutatorian.”

She thanked all the people in her life that contributed to her academic success. According to Araneta, “I could not have gotten to where I am today without the help of my parents, friends and teachers; and I am eternally grateful for their unwavering support in my endeavors,”

Last fall, Araneta moderated the UN’s 2023 International Day of the Girl Girls Speak Out Summit.

She will be majoring in Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University in the fall.  

Click HERE to see her inspired valedictorian speech.