Eastside Catholic School is pleased to announce the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2026. This year, we celebrate five valedictorians and five salutatorians, recognizing their outstanding academic achievements, leadership and commitment to excellence.

Class of 2026 Valedictorians
Oleg Chepil, Aaron Liu, Kylie Mineiro, Isabelle Moosman, James Tupaj

Class of 2026 Salutatorians
Sofia Barros, Angus Crane, Molly Hamilton, Avi Mandhana, Tristan Weigum

President Gil Picciotto praised the honorees, “Being named valedictorian or salutatorian isn’t just about academic achievement—it’s a testament to dedication, perseverance and the ability to excel in multiple areas. These students have shown remarkable grit and determination, balancing their studies with meaningful extracurricular activities. By doing so, they’ve worked to become well-rounded individuals who are making the most of their unique talents. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, 'Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.' While we celebrate their achievements today, we know this is just the start of their journey, and we’re excited to see what they accomplish in the future."

High School Principal Soonja Larsen echoed this sentiment, “We are extremely proud of our students who have achieved this academic honor. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while taking at least 12 AP or Honors classes is no small feat! Congratulations to you all. Your hard work has paid off, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at Senior Tribute and Graduation!”

Of the 10 honorees, three students began their academic journey at Eastside Catholic Middle School: Angus Crane, Molly Hamilton and Avi Mandhana.

“Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.”

- Isabelle Moosman

Future Plans and Words of Advice from Our Honorees

Our valedictorians and salutatorians shared their post-high school plans and advice with their younger schoolmates.

Valedictorians:

• Oleg Chepil, aspiring to study finance at Indiana University Bloomington, encourages students, “Don’t fear failure. The more you fail, the more you realize how close you are to achieving your goals.”
   
• Aaron Liu plans to study economics at Claremont McKenna College. He advises, “Start early. Branch out and participate in as many things as you can and figure out what activities you enjoy and where you will succeed. Identify specific goals and work as hard as you can to accomplish them.”
   
• Kylie Mineiro plans to study bioengineering at the University of Washington. To underclassmen, she advises, “Form good relationships with your teacher because they are more willing to work with you. In my experience, it has made classes more enjoyable and manageable.”
   
• Isabelle Moosman is still undecided about her future major but offered this simple wisdom, “Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.”
   
• James Tupaj will attend the University of Washington to study biology. He shared a quote from President Barack Obama as his message to underclassmen: “Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.”
   

Salutatorians:

• Sofia Barros plans to study biochemistry in preparation for a pre-medical path at the University of Pittsburgh. She suggested, “Start the college search and application process as early as possible so you know what classes to take or extracurriculars to add. And don’t forget to take part in school events, especially in senior year.”
   
• Angus Crane would like to study mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. He shared, “Every day the sun rises and sets, and you’re a little further along in your life. The second you were born, you were all in this life, so you might as well give your all every day and make that change now. In the end, you’ll either be living out your dreams or your fears, so work toward your dreams and live up to your fullest potential. 
   
• Molly Hamilton is planning to study business administration at Texas Christian University. She shared, “Make sure to balance school and sports and don’t forget to prioritize sleep!”
   
• Avi Mandhana plans to study either electrical and computer engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology or computer science at the University of Washington. He advises underclassmen to “Surround yourself with great people. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with for a reason. Over my high school years, one of my most valuable assets was my core group of friends.”
   
• Tristan Weigum plans to study economics at the University of Rochester. He advised, “Show up and try your best. Not just in class, but in everything.”