LYNN — English High School is recognizing a standout academic achievement this spring as five seniors from the Class of 2025 have earned acceptance to Ivy League universities.
Esandem Forchap, John Giovanni, Valeria Mendez, Omeiry Rodriguez, and Aneys Rosado represent a range of interests, backgrounds, and dreams. Three were admitted to multiple Ivies, and all five credit their achievements not only to personal determination but to the teachers, mentors, and family members who supported them along the way.
Still, they’re quick to point out that this moment isn’t just theirs.
“Getting into college at all is a big deal,” said Rosado, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School to study marketing. “Everyone’s journey is different. I’m proud of where I’m going, but I’m also proud to be part of a class that’s working hard in so many ways.
“I don’t think I’m the most brilliant person. But I showed who I am.”
John Giovanni, 18, knew early on that MIT was his top choice. When the acceptance came in — with a full ride — he knew it was the right fit.
“I was accepted to MIT before the Ivies came out. I waited for Harvard — that was a very close second — but I got rejected. I did get into Brown, though,” he said.
He’ll study math with computer science, a field that suits his passion for abstract thinking.
“I’ve loved math since freshman year. It’s the abstract thinking that pulls me in.”
Giovanni, who co-captained the math and science teams, was candid about the ups and downs of the application process.
“I definitely had moments of imposter syndrome. I don’t think I worked as hard as others. But I am smart — and I’m starting to grow into that.”
He credits teachers like Jeffrey Bigler and Brianna Goulet for helping him get there. “Mr. Bigler went to MIT. Ms. Goulet taught my geometry and AP precalc classes — she made math fun and accessible.”
When asked what younger John would think of all this, he smiled: “He’d be proud. Back then, I didn’t know who I wanted to be. Now I do.”
“You don’t need the best score. Just tell your story.”
Valeria Mendez was accepted to four Ivies — Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia — but ultimately chose to stay close to home.
“I’ve decided to attend Harvard,” she said. “I’m very family-oriented, and being at Harvard means I can still be near my parents while getting a high-quality education.”
A class president, varsity cheer captain, concertmaster in the All City Orchestra, and active church volunteer, Mendez has balanced an exceptional academic and extracurricular record with a deep commitment to service.
But early in the process, she was advised not to apply to elite schools because of her SAT score.
“That was really discouraging. But my teachers and guidance counselor still believed in me. I started my essays early and told the stories I wanted to tell.”
Her essays touched on being bilingual, her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, and her desire to uplift others — especially students from immigrant backgrounds.
“My dream isn’t just about getting into a top school,” she said. “It’s about showing the next generation that nothing is out of reach.”
“I didn’t think I could get in. But I did.”
Omeiry Rodriguez, 17, is also headed to the University of Pennsylvania — this time for nursing, with a full scholarship.
A first-generation college student, Rodriguez took on leadership roles in the Black Student Union, Hispanic American Club, and National Honor Society. Support from mentors, guidance counselors, and college access programs like TRIO and Thrive Scholars helped them stay on track.
“I told my counselor I didn’t think I could get in,” Rodriguez said. “And she said, ‘Girl, you got this.’ That stayed with me.”
Their college essay — supported by teachers like Brianna Goulet — helped convey who they were beyond grades and test scores.
“Penn even mentioned Ms. Goulet in my acceptance letter. That meant a lot.”
Rodriguez said her two younger siblings were their biggest motivation.
“I want them to see what’s possible.”
“At first I was scared. Now I’m ready.”
When Aneys Rosado thought about applying to Ivy League schools, they were hesitant.
“I’m first-gen, and an Ivy felt like this huge, unreachable place,” she said. “At first I wanted to go to BU. Then Northeastern. But Penn just felt right — it was more challenging, and they showed they really cared about their students.”
Rosado applied early decision to the Wharton School and was accepted in December. Once the financial aid came through, they were all in.
“My advisor at La Vida, Angelica, really helped me through the messy parts. She believed in me.”
Rosado credited her mom — “my biggest inspiration” — as well as involvement in track, volleyball, the Black Student Union, and Latin Club for shaping their time at English.
“I didn’t know what I wanted as a freshman,” they said. “But this school gave me space to grow.”
“I learned to lead by being real.”
Esandem Forchap, 17, rounds out the group with one of the most remarkable college lists: accepted to 16 schools, including MIT, Duke, UC Berkeley, Northeastern, and seven of the eight Ivies. (He didn’t apply to Brown.)
“I was going to do Brown and Caltech on the same day, but I chose Caltech. Got rejected. So I’ll never know,” he said, with a laugh.
Forchap is still weighing his options — including Harvard, MIT (which offered a full ride), Yale, and Princeton — and plans to visit weekends before making a final decision. He’s leaning toward computer science or aerospace engineering.
What stands out most about Forchap, though, isn’t the number of schools or even the scholarships. It’s his clarity of purpose.
“I think the strongest part of my application was my essays. I learned to focus not just on what I’ve done, but why I’ve done it. Your values, your motivations — that’s what matters.”
In 10th grade, he founded the Black Student Union at Lynn English in response to personal experiences with racism.
“When I experienced those things, what helped was being in community. That’s where the BSU came from — a place where students of color could share stories and grow together.”
Outside of school, he volunteers with Neighbor to Neighbor, serves on the attorney general’s youth council, and has participated in summer programs like Carnegie Mellon’s SAMS and Upward Bound.
Physics teacher Jeffrey Bigler, who runs the science team, played a big role in Forchap’s growth.
“He always encouraged us to embrace our nerdiness,” Forchap said. “To chase our goals and stay true to who we are.”
And if there’s one thing he hopes younger students remember, it’s that success starts with being yourself.
“Don’t try to copy someone else’s path. Just do what you love — and do it well.”
Guidance counselor Madison Molea, said this moment belongs to the entire school.
“These students worked incredibly hard, and they represent just one part of the success we’re seeing across the Class of 2025,” she said. “It’s a credit to their families, their teachers, and the community around them.”
As Lynn English celebrates students going to Ivy League schools, state colleges, community colleges, the military, and the workforce, the message is clear: every journey forward is worthy of pride.
“You don’t have to be the most brilliant person ever to get into these top schools,” Giovanni said. “You just have to show them who you are.”
