Oriana Dunker

President

After a long six years, it feels surreal to be writing this farewell letter to the place that watched me grow from a 12-year-old sixie to an adult preparing to take on the rest of my life.
I cannot be more honored to have been able to be your senior class president this past year. This class is a special one — from being the last grade coming into Boston Latin School before the pandemic, experiencing different Heads of School and witnessing social movements that have made world change — we have been through a lot, but it is what has made us who we are.
Someone once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” And I urge all of you readers to take this message to heart. If you wish the world were more kind, be kind. If you wish the world were warmer, be warmer. If you wish the streets were more clean, don’t just clean your side, but the entire street for everybody. That may sound like a difficult task, but for underclassmen, BLS is the perfect place to start practicing. Being involved in BLS activities like Cru, Cheerleading, Gospel Choir, Model United Nations, BLS Black Leaders Aspiring for Change and Knowledge, Peer Mentoring, Public Declamation and so much more, has changed my life. They have shown me what it means to have community, what it means to serve and what it means to be, not just a student, but a person. I think back to the summer I spent doing research to fight for air conditioning in all Boston Public Schools, the rally I MC’d at City Hall for adequate buildings and resources and the speech I gave advocating for a new contract for the Boston Teachers Union. The best advice I can give is if you think there’s something about BLS that isn’t right, then change it. If there’s something about BLS that could be better, then fight for it. If not now then when, and if not you then who?
I’ll never forget all of the beautiful people that I have met, the friends, teachers and staff that have guided me throughout my BLS journey. I would like to extend a special thanks to my fellow class officers who have made this year so fun, and our senior class advisors Ms. Encarnacao and Ms. Sarkis who have made it all possible. And of course, I would like to thank every single one of my classmates who have filled my days with laughter, last-minute motivation before taking a test and relatable sighs after getting them back. You all have inspired me so much, and I will never forget our moments spent together.
I know that I cannot appreciate it all right now, but I know in the future that I will look back at these years as one of the best, most formative times of my life — and there’s no place I’d rather have spent them.

Sumus Primi!
With love,
Oriana

Benny Pierre Louis

Vice President

On our last day of classes, we chant, “It’s all over!” This tradition marks the end of our six or four years at Boston Latin School. While the tradition brings all the seniors together for a final goodbye, I’ll never forget the experiences I’ve had at BLS. Sixie year gave me the opportunity to create friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I was introduced to a whole new culture, one where I could sit in a classroom with 30 other students who looked nothing like me. Yet it’s those differences that make BLS so special.
Later in my BLS career, I took advantage of so many opportunities, from joining BLS Cru to becoming part of the track team. Even on the days I complained about getting home late, I secretly loved filling my time with the things I liked to do. For my underclassmen: join a sport or club. Don’t overload yourself, but do explore. I don’t think I would’ve run for vice president if I hadn’t gained experience in leadership and teamwork through extracurriculars.
To my classmates, if I could leave you all with one message, it is this: “It’s never too late.” It’s never too late to make amends with the person you’ve beefed with since eighth grade. It’s never too late to reach out to the person you’ve always wanted to be friends with. That guy you had a crush on is leaving for college in months. Your best friend is studying abroad miles away from your in-state school. So why not say all the things you wish you had said sooner — now? These past few weeks I’ve been thinking about what matters the most, and I think it is not having regrets. Time is running out, but you still have the choice to speak your heart one last time.
Lastly, I can’t forget my fellow officers. Steven, you always know how to make people smile even in tense situations and Harvard is so lucky to have you. Never stop smiling. Milda, you’re unforgettable. Growing closer to you these last two years made me realize how important it is to make new connections, and I’ve come to know you as both a backbone and someone I look up to. Oriana, when filling out the school survey that asked, “list three students you are close to,” you were always first. I’m glad we met in seventh grade and our friendship has just begun. I couldn’t have asked for a more capable group of individuals to lead our grade with.
Being vice president was an indescribable experience, and I’m so grateful to have served a class as brilliant as ours. I know you all will be trailblazers, and I believe in every single one of you.

Be the best version of yourself,
Benedicte “Benny” Pierre Louis

Steven Miall

Treasurer

All great things must come to an end. And while it is bittersweet, we now find ourselves closing the chapter of high school and turning to the next pages of our lives. But here’s the thing: you can’t have chapter two without chapter one. Our years at Boston Latin School will remain etched into the story of who we are. The laughs, the struggles, the moments that felt like pure joy and yes, even the ones that felt like torture, will stay with me, woven into this book full of love, growth and memory.
Serving as the Class of 2025 Treasurer was an unforgettable experience. I had the privilege of working with Oriana, Benny and Milda as we took on the role of trying our best to please the 390-ish students in our grade. While it was a struggle from time to time, being able to represent our class was an honor. To Ms. Sarkis and Ms. E, thank you so much for the guidance and advice for us class officers. It is not easy being in a role where hundreds of students count on us for leadership, but you both made our jobs so much easier and kept the meetings fun and running every time. I personally felt as if our work as senior class officers was a success. While we weren’t able to hit the goal of a 75-dollar prom, we were able to keep the price at a manageable 85 dollars while also upgrading the location and providing shirts and fun activities with the money we raised. I am truly appreciative of this amazing group. Every meeting with you all never really felt like a meeting at all. You guys let me be my authentic self, stuffing my face with candy and screaming every other minute.
To the younger generation: good luck and power through. BLS is a grind. If you put your mind to something, you can do it. Success does not come easily, so you have to work, work and work some more. Having those rough nights is normal, it just shows how much you care about yourself and your future. Focus on the end goal.
One more thing: don’t let yourself get consumed by just one part of who you are. Don’t be so focused on school that you forget about the rest of your life, like extracurriculars, sports or your social life. And vice versa: if you’re passionate about a sport, don’t let it be your entire personality, take your talents to other fields. Humans are meant to be versatile. Let every part of you grow and be the best it can be. Balance is everything.
Though I am excited to start college, knowing I will have to graduate and leave this all behind is bittersweet. In fact, earlier today on May 20, which is the day I’m writing this, I ended up crying thinking of graduation day while listening to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. I will miss BLS. I will miss being with a community that’s held strong since the seventh grade. I will miss helping out in the main office, tour guiding, band class with Ms. McKenna, fencing meets, DECA meetings and so much more. What I WON’T miss is waking up at 6:00 A.M. to catch a bus every day, assessments for every class weekly and forcing myself to stay awake in my classes. It was definitely a challenge making it through these six years, but it was rewarding. BLS allowed me to get into my dream college and continue to play the sport I love, create lasting relationships with my best friends and open up a network of alumni and connections, which will help set all of us up for success as we age into fine adults.

Forever grateful,
Steven Miall

Milda Miranda

Secretary

Six years ago, I walked into Boston Latin School for the first time. My chunky Filas skidded across the floor as I got lost on the way to my very first class: homeroom with Mx. Amico. In all honesty, I cried after my first day. Between the four-minute bells, the five-ish floors and the pre-algebra I couldn’t quite grasp, I was frustrated. But I kept going. Through my first declamation, my first printer jam in the library and my very first pandemic, I kept going.
Five years ago, I didn’t walk into BLS once. Forced to do school completely online, I have never felt more isolated. But somehow, through all the distance, my friendships became stronger. There were many nights spent up until 4:00 A.M. calling with my friends, or playing games online for hours. In the quiet of my home, I learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder.
Four years ago, I was starting high school. Being back in BLS for the first time since 2020 brought me a lot of uncertainty, and being a typical anxious teenager definitely didn’t help. But with the support system of my friends and my favorite staff, I came out of my shell in ninth grade. Even though algebra was still kicking my butt, I would always keep going.
Three years ago, I got my first case of senioritis (yes, two years early). I had learned BLS and the people in it like the back of my hand, memorized every corner and rusty pipe and even found the fifth floor pool. Two years ago, I knew that I wanted to bring our class together in whatever way I could, to make sure everyone had a support system in the way I did. That’s when I hung up my posters and spent days staying up till 1:00 A.M. making my campaign posts to become the BLS Class of 2025 secretary.
Almost one year ago now, I started my last year at BLS. I was in full swing nostalgia mode, crying over leaving my friends — even with graduation being eight months away, while also carrying the stress and weight of college applications. Now that I’m here writing this toward the end of May, that bittersweet feeling hasn’t left me yet. I will miss you all in thousands of different ways, and I am forever grateful to have shared these halls with you over the years.
To Oriana, our faithful president and my non-blood cousin, thank you for keeping me so focused and head strong this year, while also making me laugh like nobody else. I would take a bullet for you (HaHa). To Benny, my chronically online bff and sister, nobody sees me quite like you do, and I will forever be grateful for your spontaneity and refreshing approach to life. And Steven, my MC buddy, thank you for being the light during all of our meetings (which may have been caused by you eating all of Ms. E’s candy, but I digress) and exuding proficiency and understanding in everything you do. I could not have done this without you all. And lastly Ms. E and Ms. Sarkis, thank you for making this process so much easier. You guys are my confidants, my biggest supporters, and you have given me the opportunity to serve my class everyday, which I will forever be thankful for. I love you all.
As I graduate and move on to further my education at the University of Connecticut, I don’t think I could ever forget BLS. You have all instilled in me such curiosity to learn and such pride in my school. Never doubt that no matter how much I stressed, how much I contemplated dropping out and becoming a nomad or how excited I am to start this next chapter of my life, I will always bleed purple. Thank you thank you thank you to you all for allowing me to be your secretary.

Sumus Primi.
Love,
Milda