Congratulations to the Academic Leaders of the Class of 2023!

Three Raiders have earned their way to the head of the class.

Photo above, left to right: Sydney Demers '23, Ranjana Ramesh '23, Allyson Lightburn '23.

Co-Valedictorians

• Allyson Lightburn '23

• Ranjana Ramesh '23

Salutatorian

• Sydney Demers '23

Meet the Academic Leaders of the Class of 2023...

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Allyson D. Lightburn '23, Co-Valedictorian

• Georgetown University
• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Andover
• Middle School: Wood Hill Middle School (Andover)

Activities

• Swimming & Diving Team (Captain)
• National Honor Society
• Student Ambassadors
• Hurricanes Swim Team
• Community Service
  • Sunday Swim at the Reading YMCA

About Allyson

Allyson has successfully completed 12 Advanced Placement (AP) courses throughout her four years at CCHS and was named a National Merit® Commended Scholar. 

Outside of the classroom, she participated in a variety of activities including National Honor Society and Student Ambassadors. She served as captain of the Raider Girls Swimming & Diving Team.

Off campus, she is a member of the ANA Hurricane Swim Team. 

She also found time to serve others by volunteering with the Sunday Swim program, where Allyson helped kids with special abilities learn how to swim. "This program was a highlight of my time at Central, and I enjoyed interacting with my buddies while helping them learn how to swim."

In Her Words

"Although Central Catholic offers a great education, what makes it truly special is the community," said Allyson.

"The teachers, staff and students are all invested in helping everyone succeed. Whether attending an evening review session to prepare for a test, laughing at a team pasta party, or cheering on the football team, the Central community comes together to support each other and have fun while doing so.”

Allyson’s Faculty Role Models

"I have been extremely lucky to have had many wonderful teachers at Central Catholic," said Allyson.

"I am especially thankful for Mr. Boucher (Mr. Eric M. Boucher '04, Math Teacher), who somehow made difficult math classes fun, and Mr. Cavanaugh (Mr. Richard Cavanaugh, Science Teacher), who always went out of his way to help all of his students. Also, Coach Cronin (Mr. Carlton W. Cronin, Swimming/Diving Coach) helped me to become a better swimmer and a better person. I appreciate how much he cares about his team."

Raider Legacy

Allyson’s twin sister, Margaret E. Lightburn '23, is also graduating. She will be attending Villanova University.

Her Future: Georgetown University and a Career in Law

Allyson will be attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she plans to major in business with a focus on law. Currently, Allyson is planning to pursue a career in law.

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Ranjana Ramesh '23, Co-Valedictorian

• Brown University
• Hometowns: Lowell and Chelmsford
• Middle School: Ste Jeanne d'Arc School, Lowell
• AP Scholar with Honor
• DECA Glass Award Winner (top 10 internationally)
• President, Student Council Executive Board

Activities

• Campus Ministry
• DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
• Gavel Club
• IYNA Neuroscience Club
• National Honor Society
• Student Council (E-Board)
• Student Alumni Association
• Student Ambassadors
• Visions Literary & Arts Magazine
• Outside of CCHS
  • research and studying Psychological First Aid
  • Volunteering with the Red Cross
  • Volunteering with the FEMA
  • Tutoring

Click here to read more about Ranjana in Raider News: Taking the World by Storm.

About Ranjanna

Throughout Ranjana’s four years at CCHS, she successfully completed 13 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is a National Merit® Finalist, 2023 Presidential Scholar and recipient of a Cameron Impact Scholarship. 

She was also involved in several activities including Class President, Student Council Executive Board, Neuroscience Club, Student Alumni Association, Student Ambassadors, DECA, Campus Ministry, National Honor Society, and Gavel Club.

Ranjana also finds time to serve others as a tutor, a hospital volunteer, and a community health researcher.

"Each week, I volunteer at the hospital and I love interacting with visitors, delivering materials and observing doctors and nurses. It's an honor to improve the patient experience in little ways."

"The Central Catholic community truly cares and supports everyone as a family, combined with a great education and so much fun!” said Ranjana. "My classmates make school so enjoyable and their support is what makes the school a second home."

Ranjana’s Faculty Role Models

"Mr. Clements (Mr. Michael Clements ’94, English Teacher) has had an indelible impact on my writing, from delivery and sophistication to interests in literature, and he has supported me through all the ups and downs since freshman year. I've loved every day of his class and am very grateful."

“Mrs. Parsons (Mrs. Julie Parsons ’06, Science Teacher) also made chemistry so interesting for me this year. Her teaching, planning and consideration has made class fun and an intimidating subject achievable.”

"Mrs. Chase (Mrs. Diana Chase, Religious Studies Teacher) has been an immense support and has encouraged me day in and day out. Mr. Steadman (Mr. Dominic Steadman, Business/Technology Teacher) and my computer science class has been another constant support and uplifter all year."

“Mr. Boucher (Mr. Eric M. Boucher '04, Math Teacher), Ms. Paula (Ms. Kaiya Paula '18, Math Teacher), and Mr. Hebert (Mr. Cameron Hebert '17, Math Teacher) are always so uplifting, and I've learned many life lessons along with math in AP Stats."

"I can't thank Ms. Burns (Ms. Jeanne Burns, Academic Dean), Ms. Ciccolo (Ms. Stacy Ciccolo, Social Studies Teacher), Mrs. Kriner (Mrs. Jodi Linnehan Kriner, Dir. Innovation/Academic Technologies), Mr. Sullivan (Mr. Christopher Sullivan '81, CCHS President), Mr. Grella (Mr. Sully Grella '92, Math Teacher) and Mrs. Keller (Mrs. Doreen Keller '71^PMA) enough for the advice, listening to my stories, and providing the most earnest encouragement I could ever ask for."

"Coach A (Mr. Charles Adamopoulos, Business/Technology Teacher) has been a permanent icon this year, always brightening my day and offering so much encouragement."

"My counselor, Ms. Tetreau (Ms. Kristin Tetreau '01, School & College Counseling), has been an amazing support system and role model."

"Mr. Brown’s (Mr. Jarrod Brown '98, Math Teacher) encouragement is so appreciated. I’m so thankful for his support of IYNA Neuroscience Club and of my goals. I’m also very grateful for Susan’s cheerful encouragement, Mrs. Lantigua’s (Mrs. Kemnia Lantigua, Main Office) daily quotes and conversation, and for Mr. Whyte's (Mr. Timothy Whyte, Dir. Buildings/Grounds) support. Mr. Erwin (Mr. David Erwin, Chief Advancement Officer) has been the kindest, most accommodating SAA (Student Alumni Association) mentor, and Mr. Romero (Mr. Christopher Romero, World Language Teacher) and Ms. Prisby (Ms. Doreen Prisby, Social Studies Teacher) have always had the best advice and stories."

"There are too many wonderful faculty and staff members to list!"

Raider Legacy

Ranjana’s brother Navin Ramesh '24 also attends CCHS as a member of the Class of 2024. 

Her Future: Brown University - Serving the Least Favored

This fall, Ranjana will be attending Brown University (RI) and her dream is to provide least favored communities with medical care.

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About Sydney L. Demers '23, Salutatorian

• Clemson University
• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: North Andover
• Middle School: North Andover Middle School

Activities

• Indoor Track & Field
• Outdoor Track & Field
• Mock Trial
• Peer Leaders
• National Honor Society
• Service: Special Olympics

About Sydney

Throughout Sydney’s four years at CCHS, she successfully completed 11 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is a National Merit® Commended Student.

She was also very involved in several activities including Mock Trial, Peer Leaders, National Honor Society and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field.

Sydney also finds time to serve others by volunteering for the Special Olympics.

"The joy and smiles on the athlete’s faces never failed to make me smile too."

In Her Words

"Central Catholic is a place full of spirit, support, and opportunity, which allows students to find themselves and excel in their own ways, just like I have," said Sydney.

"Central Catholic draws at the hearts of its community members."

Sydney’s Faculty Role Models

"Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph W. Welch '90, English Teacher), who consistently supported me throughout my time at Central while also pushing me above my limits."

Also Ms. Sun (Ms. Cindy Sun, Math/World Language Teacher) who has been my teacher for all four years. She always made class fun, and my experience at Central would never be the same without her."

Raider Legacy

Sydney is part of a Raider legacy with father Eric M. Demers '92 and brother and current CCHS student Ryan A. Demers '25.

Her Future: Clemson University and an MBA

This fall, Sydney will be studying engineering at Clemson University (SC).

She hopes to pursue an MBA in the future.

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Congratulations to Allyson, Ranjana, and Sydney on their accomplishments!

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Celebrating the Class of 2023...

Celebrating the Class of 2023

Visit the Class of 2023 page for upcoming events and additional information!