METUCHEN — Just as her brother was named three years ago, Siri Uppuluri was named valedictorian of her Metuchen High School class.
“It is an honor,” she said. “My brother [Aditya] was valedictorian in 2014. It’s nice to keep the legacy.”
Siri was named valedictorian and Siya Zhang was named salutatorian during a convocation held at Metuchen High School on June 19.
Siya said she was surprised to be named salutatorian.
“I knew I worked really hard these past four years, but I did not expect it,” she said.
In the fall, Siri will attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, Essex County, where she will be part of an accelerated medical program through the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
“I will be part of an accelerated medical program through the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School,” she said.
Siya will attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and will major in biomedical engineering.
During their time at Metuchen High School, Siri and Siya not only excelled in academics, but participated in many activities inside and outside of school.
Siri said she was afforded different eclectic opportunities throughout her four years at Metuchen High.
She was a member of the Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society and served as president of the Spanish Honor Society.
Siri was also a member of the math and science team, she wrote for the school’s newspaper and played for the varsity tennis team, serving as team captain this year.
Outside of school, Siri said she volunteered her time at JFK Medical Center and the Roosevelt Care Center in Edison.
She created a special book club at the Metuchen Public Library for children in first and second grades.
With intentions of becoming a physician, Siri said she spent her time shadowing four cardiovascular and ophthalmologists.
Last summer, Siri took part in the New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences residential program at Drew University in Madison, Morris County.
Siri said she grew up in Metuchen and will miss the familiarity of the school district, the friends she has made and the many teachers who have made an impact on her life.
Siya said she was a member of the marching band playing the piccolo and she served as one of the section leaders this year. She also was a member of the chorus.
She was a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, French Honor Society and served as secretary of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Siya was on the varsity golf team and for three years she was on the varsity swim team. She also was a member of the science and math teams.
Siya served as secretary on the Metuchen High School Student Council and participated in the musicals with the Metuchen Footlighters theater program.
Outside of school, Siya spent her time with the Columbia University Science Honors program on the weekends and during the summer. She also interned with the Columbia University Medical Center.
Siya is a graduate of Chinese School and previously served as a teacher’s assistant for the school.
Like Siri, Siya said she grew up in Metuchen.
“I will also miss the familiarity of Metuchen,” she said. “We are like a bubble community where we all know each other.”
Siya said whatever the future may bring; she said she is excited to move on into the bigger world.
Siri and Siya were among 152 seniors to receive their diplomas at graduation ceremonies held June 22 on the Metuchen High School football field.