Class of 2024 Co-Valedictorians Announced

Head of School Bob Izzo has announced that seniors Evan Heath and Yue “Joy” Zhuo will both share the distinct honor of being chosen as Co-Valedictorians for the Class of 2024 – for the first time in Hamden Hall history.

"In my time at Hamden Hall, we have never had Co-Valedictorians," said Head of School Bob Izzo. "Joy and Evan are two very impressive students both academically and in terms of their various extracurricular activities. With both of them sharing the honor of being Co-Valedictorians, Hamden Hall's Class of 2024 is well-represented."

Evan has been under the pines since seventh-grade and has been an active member in the theater community and other clubs including Poetry Club, President of the Thespian Society, and the literary magazine FACES for which he serves as editor-in-chief. Evan will continue his educational pursuits at Brown University where he will major in English and the literary arts.

Evan’s passion for writing and poetry stems from an early age, but he said he really found his spark in his class experience with Upper School English teacher Jennifer Manley. Ms. Manley served as a mentor who helped him hone his skills and joining the Poetry Club further inspired his desire to keep writing. He also thanked his faculty advisor and theater director Charlie Alexander for offering guidance and working with him on multiple stage productions.

The Hamden Hall experience for Evan has been full of cherished friendships and fond memories including participating in MayFest, taking the stage in every performing arts production, his class trip to Chinatown, and many more. As he will miss walking the halls, he advised rising seniors to not get caught up in the small things and enjoy your time.

“Senior year can be overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and learning,” said Evan. “It’s easy to get caught up in being polished in your college essays, but it's a more enjoyable process when you write how you speak and authentically present yourself. Don’t let a desire for immediate perfection, which only brings disappointment when it inevitably cannot be endlessly reproduced, get in the way of trying something.”

In the fall, Joy will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she will continue her studies in mathematics and computer science. Joy became part of the Hamden Hall community in eighth-grade and got involved on campus in myriad clubs and activities including the Science, Innovation, & Design Program, Middle School Advocates, the Girls’ Cross-Country Team, and the Upper School Math Team where she served as captain. She also founded the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Club.

She credited Upper School Science teacher/SID Program Director Dr. Frank Gasparro and Upper School Math teacher Michael Gustin for their unwavering support and encouragement as she pursues her interest in the STEM field.

“Through the mentorship of both Dr. Gasparro and Mr. Gustin, I have been able to further explore my interest in the STEM field,” said Joy. I appreciate Dr. Gasparro for instilling in me a love for chemistry as I have been able to work with him as a student and part of the SID Program. Mr. Gustin helped me learn and understand the fundamental math skills necessary to continue in college.”

Joy noted that Hamden Hall has allowed her to do everything and anything she had a keen interest in. As an international student, she recalled the efforts of faculty/staff in helping her adjust to a new academic environment, and she said she will miss our kind and caring community. As she moves on to MIT, Joy said she plans to continue researching and taking part in the areas she is passionate about, particularly AI. Through her studies and work, she hopes to apply AI to various fields in the real world and help people understand AI to help create a life of convenience. 

The 112th Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m. in the courtyard with remarks from both Evan and Joy along with Student Government President Eric He.