<p>[Valedictorian</a> Melody Tan Headed to Princeton](<a href=“http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20326010&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=479861&rfi=6]Valedictorian”>http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20326010&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=479861&rfi=6)</p>
<p>With Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, it only means that summer is closing near and the school year is wrapping up. Graduation is inching closer and the top two seniors in each of the district’s three high schools have been named. At Central, Melody Tan and Jeremy Joven were named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.</p>
<p>Tan, who will be attending Princeton University in the fall and will study engineering, will graduate in June with a 4.0 grade point average. During her last two years at Central, Tan took 11 Advanced Placement classes and is a member of the National, science, math and language honor societies, as well as a violinist in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Tan said being named valedictorian was not something she strived for in high school, but it was definitely a nice surprise. “I worked really hard in school and I was excited to be named valedictorian,” Tan said.</p>
<p>Besides being an academic scholar, Tan received the AP scholar with distinction award and the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. She also played tennis, volleyball and lacrosse for the Eagles, was a Mathlete and a member of Central’s Quiz Bowl team.
Tan said that her education at Central definitely prepared her for the workload she’ll have in Princeton, but noted that it’s a student’s own drive that puts them in the position to succeed. “I think any [high school] you go to, it depends on your initiative,” she said. “If you work hard at what you do, it shouldn’t matter where you go.”</p>
<p>Though she is excited for college, Tan said she will miss the routine of high school, as well as her friends. “It’s going to be an unfamiliar environment,” Tan said of college. “I’m going to meet all new people. The biggest change is I’ll be more independent. I’m definitely nervous, but I can handle it.”</p>
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<p>Congratulations, Melody, and welcome to Princeton!</p>