(above) Christina Tillinghast of Watchung has been named Valedictorian for the Mount Saint Mary Academy Class of 2020.
Tillinghast Named Mount Saint Mary Academy Valedictorian
Sofia Santos, Director of the Office of Student Services at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, has reported that Christina Tillinghast of Watchung has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2020.
“I plan to attend Villanova University this fall,” said Christina. “I received their Presidential Scholarship, which includes full tuition, room and board, general fees, cost of textbooks, a meal plan, and an invitation to the honors program, and I am very excited!”
“I am immensely honored to be the Class of 2020 Valedictorian,” she continued. “It has truly been a privilege to learn and grow alongside and because of the brilliant young women I am lucky enough to call my classmates and sisters.”
In addressing her fellow seniors, Christina said, “The past weeks have been really difficult, but, like usual, I am in awe of your resilience. I am so grateful for the power we are able to draw from each other, no matter how far apart we are. It is this power that has driven and will continue to drive me to be the best I can be. Though I have received this distinction, I owe much of my success to the incredible support so characteristic of the Mount community and the strong relationships I have developed here over the last four years. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me, inspired me, and helped me along the way. Thank you to my classmates, my teachers, and my family for being my biggest supporters and for always challenging me to work to my greatest abilities.”
Christina is an editor of the Echoes Literary Magazine and a Peer Minister at Mount Saint Mary Academy. Prior to the COVID-19 quarantine, she helped teach a first-grade CCD class, was an Assistant Captain of the Forensics Team, was a member of the Rutgers Oncology Olympiad team, and a member of Model United Nations.
Ms. Santos said, “Christina is truly remarkable young woman who is gifted, talented and driven. She has a general curiosity for life and is a consummate student who learns for the sheer joy of it. Above all, Christina is known and cherished for her genuine and welcoming nature. Those that know Christina know that they will always be greeted with a warm and welcoming smile. Students of Christina’s caliber are few and far between!”
Christina is the daughter of Gemma and George Tillinghast of Watchung.
