The school announced Emma Tseng ’26 and Sally Ramberg ’26 as valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2025-2026 school year. Every year, valedictorian is chosen from a pool of students with the highest grade point averages (GPA), and the salutatorian is chosen by a senior class vote.
Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said the valedictorian is chosen through a faculty vote from a group of high-achieving seniors.
“We typically [consider] around the top five kids numerically,” said Slattery. “We don’t just take the top person because at that point, you’re talking about gradations where one person took one more class than another person, and you’re talking about kids who have basically gotten virtually straight A’s in all the hardest classes in grades 10 through 12. Then, the faculty weigh in on their experience with those students, and they vote to determine who they think demonstrates the highest level of scholarship amongst that group.”
Tseng said she felt honored by the announcement and recognizes the support she received from others.
“I feel very honored to be named valedictorian, but I know that so many of my accomplished peers could easily be in this position, ” said Tseng. “I am grateful for the teachers’ trust in me to deliver a speech, and hope I can live up to their expectations.I know that I would not be here without the support of my friends, softball team, teachers and family.”
Prior to the salutatorian announcement, there was a runoff vote between Ramberg and Josh Massey ’26. Ramberg said she felt relieved to hear herself announced at the assembly.
“After they announced salutatorian, I was mostly really excited and relieved to stop stressing about if I’d win it or not,” said Ramberg. “I am a bit sad because [Massey] is the best, and I really wish we could’ve given the speech together, but c’est la vie. Mostly, I can’t wait to give it, and I’m absolutely terrified to give it.”
Miles Aguilar ’26 said he is excited for Ramberg’s salutatorian speech.
“I voted for [Ramberg], and I thought it was great she won,” Aguilar said. “The role of salutatorian is to represent the spirit of Harvard-Westlake and give a memorable speech to end the year, and based on what I saw when she was running for student council, I think she’ll do exactly that.”
Emma Tran-Lee ’26 said she appreciates the uniqueness of the salutatorian selection process because it contributes to the quality of the graduation speech.
“I’m really happy that [Ramberg] got salutatorian,” said Tran-Lee. “I was sitting behind her when they announced it, and I could tell how much it meant to her and how excited she was. I know the way we choose the salutatorian is different from other schools, but I think it’s a good system. We get to vote who we want to speak at graduation, which hopefully makes the graduation ceremony entertaining.”
Tseng said she hopes to highlight the school community in her speech.
“One of the best parts about Harvard-Westlake is how it brings together passionate, curious people,” said Tseng. “I definitely want to address the deep gratitude I feel towards my classmates, who have challenged me to grow in ways I never thought possible, have shared their unique ideas and perspectives with me and have made school a fun and lively place to come to every day.”
