The Onteora Central School District is proud to announce that Gavin Rice is valedictorian of the Class of 2025 and Alexia Melendez is salutatorian. This year’s Principal’s Award recipient is Cocoro “Coco” Asada. 

 

Gavin Rice, Valedictorian

 Gavin, the son of Beth and Damon Rice of Phoenicia, leads the class as this year’s valedictorian. He will be graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, and Distinction in Math and in Science. Gavin completed six Advanced Placement (AP) classes. 

Gavin is a member of the National Honor Society and the Onteora Rocket Club. In his spare time, he volunteers at the Phoenicia Library. 

This year, Gavin earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, and in 2024, he received the prestigious Rensselaer Medal Award for outstanding academic achievement in the study of mathematics and science. In the fall, he will begin attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he will major in Biomedical Engineering. Gavin indicated that he hopes to work in the medical field as a biomedical engineer. 

“I am deeply fascinated by how the human body works and how it can be improved upon,” he said. 

The valedictorian said that the support of his family was a big part of his academic success. “I would like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me throughout my school career,” he said.

When asked what makes the Onteora school community special, Gavin replied, 

“The best thing about Onteora is that it is a pretty small community, and I feel like I know everyone at least by name.” 

Gavin’s advice to younger Onteora students is to get involved in extracurricular activities. “It helps not only with your resume, but with experience and learning, too!” he explained. 

Onteora High School (OHS) Principal Lance Edelman had nothing but praise for this year’s valedictorian. 

“Gavin is an extraordinary young man. He is a laid-back, intelligent, and thoughtful student. He approaches his academics with enthusiasm and eagerness. Gavin cares about his performance and always strives to do his best,” Mr. Edelman said. 

As an integral member of the Rocket Club, Gavin's contributions helped the team qualify for nationals. “Not only is Gavin a key contributor in building and designing the rockets, he also mentors younger students and helps them develop a love for the engineering involved,” Mr. Edelman said. “Gavin can explain difficult concepts in a thoughtful, simple way. He never judges and is always patient.

 

Salutatorian Alexia Melendez, Salutatorian

Alexia, the daughter of Rungcheewan and Boris Melendez of Bearsville, is this year’s salutatorian. She will be graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Distinction in Science. She has taken 10 AP classes. In addition, she will be graduating with a New York State Seal of Biliteracy, as well as a Seal of Civic Readiness.

Alexia is involved in many school activities, both academic and athletic. She is a member of the Spanish Club, the Athletic Council, the National Honor Society, and Band. She is also the treasurer of the Student Government. 

 An accomplished athlete, Alexia was on the Varsity Girls Basketball team in Grades 10-12, and currently serves as the team’s captain. She was also a starter on the Varsity Girls Soccer team throughout High School, and participated on the Track and Field team for two years. Outside of school, she played for two different Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) travel teams and in Grade 9, played for the Onteora United travel team. 

This year, Alexia earned the MHAL (Mid-Hudson Athletic League) Scholar Athlete Award, and in 2024, she was recognized as a BCANY (Basketball Coaches Association of New York) All-Section Top 50 Player, as well as a Basketball MHAL National Conference All-Star.  

Alexia enjoys volunteering in her community. She has helped lead both basketball and soccer clinics, and has volunteered for the Woodstock Film Festival, the Onteora Athletic Council, and the Belleayre Bash committee. As a National Honor Society member, she has participated in several community service activities.

Alexia is grateful to her family members for their support, telling them, “Thank you for giving me the resources to succeed.” In addition, the salutatorian expressed gratitude to a number of inspiring Onteora teachers. These included Paul Colevas (Sociology and Philosophy); Alicia Curlew (AP Human Geography and AP Government); Scott Via (Earth Science, Living Environment, and AP Environmental Science); and Jessica Morra (Algebra 2 and AP Calculus).

“These are some of the most influential teachers because their authenticity makes learning feel meaningful and fun," said Alexia. 

Alexia’s favorite times at Onteora included the “Class Wars” competitions in the spring, and she will always cherish the memory of going to New York City for the St. Patrick’s Day parade with the OHS Marching Band.

When asked about what is special about the Onteora school community, Alexia said, “The mountains. Our sports fields have the best view of the mountains.” 

In the fall, Alexia will be attending Binghamton University, where she will major in Business Administration and Management. Eventually, she hopes to inherit and manage her family’s rental business.

OHS Principal Lance Edelman also had high praise for this year’s salutatorian. “Alexia’s achievements both academically and personally are quite impressive,” he said, citing her management of many extracurricular activities as well as part-time jobs. “Alexia is a quiet intellectual who doesn’t have the need to be the star,” he added. “She is authentically interested in learning and absorbs everything. And while she is clearly a gifted learner, she is equally a hard worker. Her teachers refer to her as a ‘quiet powerhouse.’” 

 

Principal’s Award Recipient Cocoro “Coco” Asada

Coco, the daughter of Yuki Asada of Boiceville and Katsuji Asada of Chichester, is this year’s Principal’s Award recipient. She will be graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Distinction in Math, as well as a Seal of Biliteracy in French and Japanese, and a Seal of Civic Readiness. She has taken 10 AP classes, as well as college courses in English and in French.

Coco is active both in and out of school. A talented flutist, she plays in the OHS Concert Band and in 2025, was chosen for both the Area All-State and All-County Bands. She has been in student government for four years, serving as the Class president for three years. She is also president of the National Honor Society.  She has also competed in Science Olympiads.

An avid athlete, Coco was a member of the Varsity Soccer, Ski team, and Track and Field teams. In 2023, she was a MHAL (Mid-Hudson Athletic League) and Section 9 champion in Track and Field.  

Outside of school, Coco has worked as a ski instructor and a barista. She also teaches flute lessons to younger students in the community and coaches “Goalie Clinics” for boys youth soccer. 

In the fall, Coco will be attending The George Washington University to study International Affairs. Eventually, she would like to go into public policy, specifically for immigration or international relations. Coco said she hopes to work in the State Department or at the United Nations one day, working on immigration policies. 

Reflecting upon her accomplishments, Coco expressed gratitude to her mother. “My mother is my greatest motivation and inspiration,” she said. “She encouraged me to do my best in school by providing a supportive and positive environment at home for me to thrive in. Every school accomplishment has been to make her proud.” 

Coco had the following advice for her younger counterparts: “The only person expecting perfection from you is yourself. So don’t push yourself too hard. Academic or athletic validation is an impossible construct because the standards are immeasurable.” 

OHS Principal Lance Edelman lauded the many achievements of this year’s Principal’s Award recipient. “Coco exemplifies the modern-day high school student; one who is knowledgeable and curious about the world and its affairs,” he said. “She is incredibly poised and articulate and radiates warmth, compassion, and enthusiasm. Driven and intelligent, she remains open-minded and empathetic. Her level of maturity and confidence is well beyond her years.”

Mr. Edelman also mentioned that Coco is an eager learner with a natural curiosity who consistently seeks to expand her knowledge, and has always taken the most challenging courses available to her. “Despite the rigor, it always appears she balances coursework and other priorities with relative ease. She is a natural leader in both name and action,” he commented.