With preparations fully underway for a May 29th graduation, Bishop Feehan High School proudly announces its top-ranked students in the Class of 2025 with a special focus on the school’s latest Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Tree Dedicator (third-ranked student). Four years of academic excellence, along with active involvement across all of Feehan’s many extra-curricular offerings are the common denominator here.
The top ten students (alphabetically) are: Elena Borden (Seekonk, MA), Rohit De (Attleboro, MA), James Kennedy (Wrentham, MA), Fiona McCally (Wrentham, MA), Ritika Roy (North Attleboro, MA), William Sadler (North Attleboro, MA), Abigail Salwierz (Rehoboth, MA), Avary Serpa (Newport, RI), Madelyn Steel (North Attleboro, MA), and Katherine Zhang (Attleboro, MA).
These 10 will join 244 additional graduates at the school’s 61st graduation ceremonies later this month.
More specifically, Feehan can now share its top-three students, who each will have featured speaking opportunities during the graduation-day events: Valedictorian Rohit De, Salutatorian James Kennedy and Tree Dedicator Katherine Zhang.
“Rohit, James and Katherine and the entire Feehan class of 2025 make their soon-to-be alma mater very proud,” offers Feehan President Tim Sullivan. “These students came to Feehan four years ago, made our community stronger and warmer by their presence and have excelled in so many ways. They will be terrific honorees at our upcoming senior events and terrific representatives of Feehan for decades to come.”
Salutatorian James Kennedy, Valedictorian Rohit De and Tree Dedicator Katherine Zhang
Valedictorian
Rohit De, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Binod Bihari De of Attleboro,MA and a member of the Rhode Island Hindu Temple, has been named as the Valedictorian of the Bishop Feehan High School class of 2025.
Rohit’s academic prowess is quite evident with his membership in the National, Science, Social Studies, English, Math, and Spanish Honor Societies. He is the recipient of the prestigious Harvard Book Award, the High Point Book Award, the Rensselaer Medal, and received a total of fourteen gold medals for maintaining the highest GPA in five subjects in 9th and 10th grade, and four subjects in 11th grade. With his exceptional performances on the National Spanish Exam, Rohit earned a gold medal each year for the past three years. He scored a perfect score of 36 on the ACT and is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Rohit shows exemplary leadership, holding several elected positions on campus with various clubs and organizations. A four-year student council member, Rohit has held the office of Class President or Vice President every year.
Rohit has an impressive list of accolades as an academic, leader, and research scientist. His acute knowledge of science enabled him to earn recognition at Regional and State Science Fairs with a science project on enzymatic plastic degradation. Beyond the classroom, Rohit invested in several internship experiences with local hospitals. In addition, Rohit collaborated with a virtual team to develop concepts for a “think tank” connecting students in Science Fairs with potential topics and mentees. A participant in Northeastern University’s Young Scholars’ Program, he was one of only 27 students accepted from Massachusetts. They participated in a research project led by a NU professor regarding Autonomous Navigation.
Rohit De will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall.
Salutatorian
James Kennedy, the son of Dr. Jim and Mrs. Julie Kennedy of Wrentham, MA, and a member of St. Mary’s Parish, has been named the Salutatorian of the Bishop Feehan High School Class of 2025.
James is the Co-Secretary of our Mercy Chapter of the National Honor Society and has been inducted into every academic honor society for which he could qualify: the English, Math, Science, History, and Spanish National Honor Societies. In addition to his full Honors 1 and Advanced Placement curriculum here at Bishop Feehan, James also enrolled at Harvard University in the Secondary School Program, earning an A in his four credit Biochemical Engineering course. In collaboration with both an MIT professor and Feehan’s Vice Principal for Academics, James developed a system for Feehan students who are temporarily physically disabled to adjust their academic schedule and relocate to classrooms that are more easily accessible.
James is a three-season, four-year distance runner here at Feehan and a Campus Ministry Senior Associate. He is the recipient of the Yale Book Award, the Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award, and a handful of other local, regional, and state-level STEM honors and awards. James volunteers with the Hebron Food Pantry, at our school’s annual Santa Shop holiday toy drive, and as a peer tutor. He also works part-time as a starter at Pine Oaks Golf Course.
In the fall, James will attend the University of Notre Dame where he will study Chemical Engineering.
Tree Dedicator (Third-Ranked Student)
Katherine Zhang, daughter of Ms. Sharon Guan and Mr. Michael Zhang of Attleboro, MA, and a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, has been named the Tree Dedicator for the Class of 2025.
Katherine was a National Merit Scholarship Program finalist and recipient of the Brown University Book Award. She is an active member of the National Honor Society as well as the English, History, Spanish, and Science Honor Societies, and currently serves as President of the Math Honor Society.
Throughout her high school career, Katherine has earned numerous accolades, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing over 100 hours of community service. She also received a silver medal in the 2023 and a bronze medal in the 2022 National Spanish Exam, and was honored with the Society of Microbiology Award at the Massachusetts Region III Science Fair.
A well-rounded and dedicated student, Katherine has played an active role in both school and community life. She has served on Student Council throughout high school and is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, The Rock Report. She is also involved in Mock Trial, the Psychology Club, and Special Olympics.
Katherine’s commitment to service is evident through her volunteer work with St. Joe’s Food Pantry in Attleboro, MA, and The Amos House Soup Kitchen in Providence, RI, where she has devoted countless hours helping those in need. Additionally, she has volunteered with the Star Chinese School in Pawtucket, RI.
This fall Katherine will be attending Boston College, where she plans to study Economics.