Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Freeport High School has named Lourdes Saunders-Blake valedictorian for the class of 2025 and Oluwadamiloju Popoola as its salutatorian — with both students demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, dedication to extracurricular activities, and a deep connection to their school and community.
For Saunders-Blake, 18, being named valedictorian is a reflection of years of hard work and perseverance.
“I would just say it’s definitely nice to feel like your work paid off,” she said.
She also emphasized the support she received from teachers and classmates, recalling the moment the top 10 students were announced.
“Just hearing the students, and like my fellow classmates and my friends cheering when they heard the different, various names of the top 10 being announced,” Saunders-Blake said. “… I think it’s definitely something I’m very grateful for to have that, like support system and community here at the school.”
Popoola, 17, who was born in Nigeria and moved to Freeport in 2010, expressed similar sentiments after being named salutatorian, with a particular emphasis on family and heritage.
“I guess it like tightens my pride, my background, my country, and it makes me so proud to represent Nigeria,” she said. “I’m also proud to represent my parents as well, because they’re the reason I’m here.”
“I guess I wanted to represent my country and prove myself to other people,” she added.
Saunders-Blake, whose parents both work in academia, spent part of her early education in Ghana while her mother taught at NYU’s campus there.
“I think, like everything that I do now is really learned in Ghana, whether that is like participating in the arts, doing extra curricular activities, or just like my enjoyment of learning,” she said.
Popoola’s passion lies in music, having played the violin as the concertmaster of the honors orchestra. She has also participated in the school’s musicals, all-county orchestras, and other selective ensembles.
Saunders-Blake’s extracurricular involvement spans athletics, academics and the arts.
She has also competed in Science Olympiad and the Science Bowl at Brookhaven National Labs, in addition to being heavily involved in theater and music.
“Last year, I was the lead role in our musicals, and we just did ‘Guys and Dolls,’ and I played Sarah Brown,” she said.
Popoola is considering a career in economics or accounting, with aspirations of working for a major firm. She added that she’s keeping her options open when it comes to choosing a college, prioritizing financial aid in her decision-making process.
Saunders-Blake said she plans to study physics and pursue research.
“This past summer, I was part of the Brookhaven National Labs High School Research Program,” she said, adding that the experience solidified her interest in scientific research.
She is considering schools such as Yale, Carnegie Mellon and Rice, with a strong interest in institutions that support both science and the arts.
Both students credited Freeport High School’s programs and teachers for their academic success.
Popoola highlighted the influence of her orchestra teacher Ms. Boardman and calculus teacher Dr. Khan.
Saunders-Blake expressed gratitude toward two teachers who had a significant impact on her, Dr. Capalbo, her AP Physics and AP chemistry teacher, and AP World teacher Mr. Kenney.
Beyond the classroom, both students spoke highly of the opportunities offered by the Freeport School District.
Saunders-Blake recalled how the district helped expand her horizons, stating that through the school, she was able to see five Broadway musicals in the last year alone.
Both Saunders-Blake and Popoola’s journeys are a testament to the opportunities available for those who strive for excellence.
