Graduation 2025: Meet 2 student leaders at Manlius Pebble Hill School
Single Sparkle | The Post-Standard is introducing readers to each Central New York high school valedictorian and salutatorian.
We sent questions to each one to tell us about themselves and shine light on their plans for the future and unique personalities.
We hope you enjoy their answers as much as we did.
Note: MPH doesn’t name a valedictorian or salutatorian but shared these two top students.
>> See the entire Class of 2025 list and commencement info
Head Scholar
Name: Amitees Fazeli
Parents: Amin Fazeli and Vadjista Broumand
City/town: Jamesville/Syracuse
Your plans in the next few years: After graduation, I plan to matriculate at Yale University, where I’ll pursue a double-major in molecular cellular and developmental biology and environmental studies, along with a certificate in advanced studies in Spanish. But beyond the classroom, I’m eager to immerse myself in the New Haven community, volunteering to promote public health, advancing food justice, and working at the intersection of science and service. My next few years are about more than academics, they’re about using what I learn to be impactful.
What are your career plans? My goal is to pursue a career at the interface of medicine and environmental health with the hope to converge science, and advocacy. I’ve always been captivated by the ways the environment influences our well-being. I view today’s challenges like global health disparities and climate change as not only scientific and political dilemmas, but as urgent calls to action. For that reason, I aspire to become a physician-scientist and public health leader who not only cares for individual patients, but also confronts the environmental causes of illness through research, policy change, and grassroots efforts.
Do you have any advice for underclassmen? Dive into activities that genuinely excite you, even if they seem unconventional. The more you engage with what you love, the more you’ll discover about yourself, your strengths, your values, and your future path. Let your passions guide you, and trust that by doing what matters to you, you’ll naturally stand out and make a meaningful difference.
What was the highlight of your senior year? Some of my most cherished experiences at MPH have been my sports seasons. I’ve enjoyed playing tennis and golf for MPH since middle school, and it has been a true blessing to compete with other schools and connect with other students my age.
Who has inspired you the most and why? My parents are my greatest sources of inspiration; they are my anchors, and true role models. Their journey is marked by hardship, resilience, and quiet sacrifice and they teach me on a daily basis the true meaning of perseverance and purpose. I watch them work tirelessly, not for recognition, but out of love and a deep belief in the power of education, empathy, and giving back to the community. They have instilled in me a sense of responsibility, to never settle for mediocrity, to uplift others, and to lead with integrity.
What do you do to unwind or relax? I trade my daily chaos for the rhythmic thud of tennis balls on the court, or, weather permitting, a few holes on the golf course. I unwind by listening to music, going for long walks, or reading the long list of books that have been recommended to me over the years.
What word or phrase best describes your personality? Perseverant. Fueled by purpose and grounded in perseverance, I face challenges head-on, and don’t view them as setbacks, but as opportunities to grow and lead.
What’s the most important or sentimental thing you are taking from home when you leave for college? I will be sure to take the vibrant canvas that hangs above my bed, inscribed in flowing Persian calligraphy with the Zoroastrian mantra: ‘Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.’ Passed down through generations, these simple yet powerful words have shaped how I live and connect with others.
What do you envision your life being like when you are the same age your parents are now? I envision a life rooted in purpose and community, one where I’ve spent decades to push the boundaries of science to protect both people and the planet.
What’s the one thing you learned by the end of your high school career that you wish you knew at the start? I learned that growth doesn’t come from chasing perfection, but from embracing the messiness of the process. The moments that defined me were the ones where things didn’t go according to plan: getting sick before a major exam, hitting roadblocks in research, or starting something new without knowing how it would unfold. Looking back, I realize I once mistook vulnerability for weakness, when in truth, it’s where strength takes root.
If nothing else, what is the one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime? I hope to leave behind a world where communities, especially the most vulnerable, are healthier, more empowered, and more connected to the environment that sustains them.
Senior Class Speaker
Name: Alexa Rose Battaglia
Parents: Todd and Sophia Battaglia
City/town: Manlius
Your plans in the next few years: I am attending Amherst College this fall. I plan on double majoring in mathematics and law, jurisprudence and social thought.
What are your career plans? I hope to pursue a career in either medicine or law.
Do you have any advice for underclassmen? I highly recommend that every student play an instrument; not only is it a fantastic creative outlet, but it’s also a great way to make friends.
What was the highlight of your senior year? Playing violin with the Syracuse Youth Orchestra and the New York All-State orchestra.
Who has inspired you the most and why? My parents, who have taught me the value of hard work, as well as my high school teachers, who helped foster my love of learning.
What do you do to unwind or relax? I love to read, play the violin and piano, and go for hikes.
What word or phrase best describes your personality? Driven
What’s the most important or sentimental thing you are taking from home when you leave for college? My childhood teddy bear, as well as photos of my family and friends.
What do you envision your life being like when you are the same age your parents are now? I hope to have a career I love, a house with lots of land, and many cats and dogs.
What’s the one thing you learned by the end of your high school career that you wish you knew at the start? Time moves so quickly. I still cannot believe my high school career has come to an end. Enjoy every moment and take advantage of every opportunity.
If nothing else, what is the one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime? Above all else, I hope to have a career where I am able to improve the lives of others.
More to come
To celebrate the Class of 2025, we will be publishing lists of candidates for graduation and Q&As with each school’s valedictorian and salutatorian, or alternates from 60 schools across Central New York. All coverage, and more, can be found on our high school life page.
>> A complete list of Single Sparkle’s high school graduation coverage
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