Top of her class at Holy Name of Mary

Three years ago, Jillian Manicdar’s older sister was salutatorian at Holy Name of Mary School. So she Jillian decided to take it one step farther.

Jillian is the valedictorian of this year’s eighth-grade graduating class at the Valley Stream Catholic elementary school. In the fall, she will attend Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead.

“I really wanted to get valedictorian,” she said. “When I got it, I felt so relieved and surprised.”

Holy Name of Mary School has been a big part of Jillian’s life. She started there in pre-K and has been working hard ever since, earning the top rank among this year’s 36 eighth graders. Jillian is president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Student Council and an altar server.

She also puts her vocal talent to good use. Jillian is a member of the choir, leads her fellow students in song during the school’s monthly masses, and also leads the National Anthem during assemblies. This past year, she was the Ghost of Christmas Present in the school’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Jillian said there is a lot she will miss about Holy Name. She has made a lot of friends over the years, and only one other fellow graduate will be moving on to Sacred Heart with her. Her classmates were like family, she explained.

She will also miss the teachers. Jillian said she can’t pick one favorite — they have all been inspirational. “They teachers really help us,” she said. “They guide us.”

Her favorite memory from elementary school was a class trip this past year to New York City. She and her classmates visited the Sony Museum, took a water taxi and saw “Godspell.” The highlight of that trip for her was meeting several celebrities.

Jillian’s favorite subject is English language arts because she loves to write, especially fiction. In high school, she looks forward to making new friends and taking part in the Red and Gold dance competition.

Coming from a very religious family, Jillian said she is glad that she attended Catholic School growing up because she was able to learn more about God.

Bob Carberry, Jillian’s eight-grade teacher, had nothing but praise for the top graduate. “She’s an excellent student, very meticulous, definitely deserving of being valedictorian,” he said. “She’s just an overall good kid.”

Jillian, who made the honor roll every trimester for the past three years, said the key to her success was studying hard and believing in herself.