THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 31, 2019 Page 5 SHS | from page 4 ent types of people because I moved here in the eighth grade; I was completely new to here, having lived before in Everett. Saugus is completely diff erent, so I learned how to meet new people and how to deal with different people and how to present myself to everyone, so I’m defi nitely going to use that when I go on to Harvard. Q: What was the biggest challenge for you for the last four years? A: I think, again, it’s just trying to fi t in here because I’m not a very social or outgoing person. I’m just, like, fi guring out when I can speak up in class – when it was my time to shine – trying to fi gure out how I could be who I am and watch and see what happens. Q: Anything else you would like to share? A: Even though I never expected to move to Saugus – it was a very last-minute thing – but I’m really glad I did, because I met some really amazing people at Saugus High in the Class of 2019. So I’m extremely proud of all of us for getting through, and I’m really interested in seeing where we all go. Q: And your speech? A: My speech? It’s in the works. You’ll hear it on Friday. Q: So, it’s going to be low-key and nothing controversial? A: I think it’s better this way, for everyone here. I want it to be more congratulatory – you know – uplifting, so I think that’s better for all of us. Q: Anything else? Do you follow the local stuff in town? The local government? A: There’s some stuff to this town. It’s not exactly a haven, but it’s a pretty nice place to live. Q: So, do you have an opinion on the custodians? Whether Saugus Public Schools should keep them or privatize them? A: Ah, the custodians. I’m obviously biased because I’ve been around the custodians my entire four years and I’ve seen how hard they work. Obviously, I see their perspective and I think it’s unfair that they will be out of jobs. Q: So, you oppose the privatization. A: Yes, I do. Vi Pham has a 4.72 grade point average and won Salutatorian honors in this year’s Saugus High graduating class. She plans to attend University of Massachusetts-Amherst this fall. Vi, 18, grew up in Lynn and moved to Saugus when she was four or fi ve. Her brother Van Pham just fi nished his freshman year at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Vi is the daughter of Ho Phom and Thuy Vu. She played on the Saugus High tennis team four years, is co-president of the Malawi Club and a member of the National Honor Society and the Art Club. Q: When you look back on the last four years, what do you consider the biggest accomplishment of this class? A: I think overcoming our differences as individuals, so we can work as one class instead of separate groups; I think overcoming our differences is the biggest thing. Q: So, the class had been kind of fractured? A: Well, maybe kind of “clicky.” But I think we have overcome that. We’ve grown from that. Q: So, with the new school under construction and some of the distractions … did that kind of contribute to it? It can be distracting, I guess. A: Yeah. Q: What would you say to sum up the 2019 Saugus High School graduating class? What makes it special? A: I think a lot of members of the Class of 2019, they’re involved in a lot of activities at Saugus High. That’s one thing we take pride in. There’s some people who compete in multiple sports, and girls involved in drama club and chorus, so there are diff erent parts of the school they’re involved in – not just one section. Now, that’s a good part, getting involved with your school. Q: What about your proudest individual accomplishment? A: I’d say getting through senior year, especially with college applications, because that was a big stump that we’re not used to, especially with our freshman and sophomore and junior year. That was something new and very stressful, but it was something we could all relate to. Q: But, what about being near the top of your class scholastically? A: Oh yeah. We’re all very competitive people and we all work hard to get by today – I think planning [for college] on top of being Salutatorian. Q: What are you going to do with yourself after Friday night? A: I think I am going to fi nally relax and start worrying about college. Maybe I will give myself a few days’ break. Defi nitely, I need to sign up for orientation and fi gure out the residential life at UMass Amherst. Q: What are you going to major in? A: Microbiology. Q: What are your career goals? A: I intend to go on some internships in my college career. Hopefully, that will start giving me an idea what path I want to follow in science. I currently want to work in the laboratory research. Q: So, you want to get into research as opposed to medical? A: I’m not sure. Q: Now what are you going to do with yourself when you graduate from college? A: Hopefully, I will familiarize myself with faculty. UMass offers a lot of opportunities to travel abroad. I hope to use that experience to get to know what I want to do in my future. Q: Do you have anything in mind as far as an occupation? A: Medical laboratory scientist. Q: What do you consider the biggest thing you walk away from at Saugus High School, as a graduate? A: Saugus High School is a pretty worn-down high school: Sometimes you see leaky ceilings and sometimes the lights don’t work. Sometimes it kind of brings you down, but then you realize the people there – they’re more than just teachers and faculty. They’re mentors. For a lot of people in our class, that means a lot to them. I think teachers are a big part of Saugus High School. Q: What was the biggest challenge for you for the last four years? A: I’ll give you a generic – just keeping up with my grades. I just fi nd that I value that the most in my high school career. Specifi - cally for senior year, alongside of college applications, I took up a job in September in addition to my job at Market Basket, as an assistant manager. I started working for the Lynnhurst Elementary School After School Program, called “Kids come fi rst.” So, I helped kids after school with their homework. So, I was working every single day, from Monday to Friday, so I have to juggle my time every single day. That was a big challenge because I wanted to – my brother is in college and my parents are struggling to pay the tuition, so I wanted to help them – to relieve that fi nancial tension. I was paying for my own SAT Tests and my APT Tests, and a lot of other fees, like sports fees and all that stuff . That was a challenge, but I am glad that I was able to overcome that. Q: Anything else you would like to share? A: I’d just like to thank my parents … my family for sticking around and sticking by my side “Adult Foster Care of the North Shore has offered unwavering support from day one. When I was admitted for emergency surgery the AFCNS team made sure my brother was in good hands while I recovered.” g day one. mitted y surgery, am made er was in hile Toots, Caregiver to Brother, George r rge Q: I asked your two co-graduates “What about the custodians?” Do you have any thoughts on that? A: Yeah. I’ve know some of the custodians for a very long time. They’re more than just people who clean up or secure a building. A lot of students in our school look up to them – as more than just custodians and SHS | SEE PAGE 7 978-281-2612 AdultFosterCareNS.com Celebrating 18 Years Lawnmower Tune-Up and Repairs • We repair all makes & models! • Authorized 1039 Broadway, Revere • (781) 289-6466 www.bikersoutfitter.com ENCORE CASINO DRIVING OPPORTUNITY!! 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