Swampscott High School senior Liora Ragozin was surprised to learn she would be honored as valedictorian at this week’s graduation, especially since it was the first year the district eliminated class rankings.
“I learned pretty recently,” Ragozin said. “Because they got rid of class ranks, it’s nice because it’s not like a competitive nature.”
Swampscott seniors will graduate on Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. The ceremony will take place at Blocksidge Field, at 585 Humphrey St. Seniors have graduation rehearsal earlier in the day at 10 a.m.
Ragozin will give a speech directed at her graduating class, focusing on their responsibilities as changemakers and the importance of “keeping our friendship strong as we continue out into the new world.”
Looking back at her time at Swampscott High School, Ragozin spoke about how she’s been challenged in courses to think differently and grow into her own.
“High school is very challenging, but I think especially the teachers there have been super supportive and challenge you and push you to do your best,” Ragozin said. “I think that’s really helped me succeed and find my way.”
Ragozin mentioned her time with English teacher Kaitlyn Thomas Keohane, who has been her professor for three years. As the vice president of the student council, Ragozin also works with class advisor Thomas Keohane closely.
“There are so many activities and things that we’re planning,” Ragozin said. “She’s been super supportive and such an amazing advocate for us within the student council.”
She added that Thomas Keohane and other teachers helped her “develop skills that I know will carry me through college.” Ana Monteiro’s AP calculus course may have been “a very strict class,” but Ragozin said that it “was really helpful and it really helped me learn.” Peter Franklin’s AP English language and composition course allowed Ragozin to explore “the foundations of writing beyond literature.” Richard Maestranzi taught Ragozin AP European history in her sophomore year, which she called “one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken.”
Ragozin pointed to memories at Swampscott High School as well, like the French exchange program where she hosted a student from Lyon, France and then traveled abroad during her junior year for about a week.
She’s also the co-president of the Model UN Club, which she hopes to continue in college.
“I think one thing I will miss the most about Swampscott High School is building up those relationships with teachers and peers and having that support system. That definitely takes time,” Ragozin said. “That’s something I’ll have to restart again in college.”
Next year, Ragozin will attend the University of Maryland. She is looking to study public and global health.
While living in Swampscott, Ragozin has already taken steps toward global health awareness. When Ragozin was 11-years-old, her sister was born which “really changed my life, and that’s where I really learned about the healthcare system.”
“I wanted to be a role model and a guiding light for her,” Ragozin said. “That really sparked me to take initiative and show her what we can do as women.”
In high school, Ragozin took an anatomy class with Nicole Greenway. The course was hands-on with different dissections throughout the year.
“It’s not just taking notes, it’s doing a lot of different things,” Ragozin said. “I think that hands-on experience also sparked my interest in science and the anatomy sciences, so that was awesome.”
Outside of school, Ragozin is also an advisor for a cohort of about 20 young women through The Pad Project, a global nonprofit that works to expand access to menstrual care products and combat menstrual inequities.
“We’ve been building a project. It’s a website that has different menstrual resources,” Ragozin said. “It’s been a really cool experience to work with these different girls around the world on this…That’s been something I’ve been very passionate about this year.”
The website will be presented during a Zoom event for The Pad Project on May 31, the day after Ragozin speaks at graduation.
