Juan Carlos Desmaras and Mary Ford are at the top of the Class of 2022

Ossining High School's Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian are ready for the final aspect of their high school careers—their commencement speeches.

Valedictorian Juan Carlos Desmaras and salutatorian Mary Ford had an idea that they would earn this recognition, they both said that it was a pleasant surprise.

Being at the top of their class is one more thing the two have shared throughout their educational careers. They have been in the same class since kindergarten and often found themselves taking the same classes in high school.

Juan Carlos has taken several advanced science classes, including chemistry last year and physics and AP biology this year. He is also involved in the business program for math, taking such courses as AP calculus.

The two are also part of the OHS Science Research Program, an experience they both agree has prepared them for their intended futures.

“It has had a big impact on our skills as scientists and our interest in research,” Mary, who will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall and plans to study government, said. “Also, in shaping our speaking and writing abilities, and translating that into our history and English courses and really seeing how the two complement one another. You see the evolution of our skills playing out over time.”

Mary did her research on the ways to improve secondary efforts in the wake of a mass casualty nuclear event.

She was paired with a mentor at the Columbia Center for Radiological Research. Having access and learning to use large biological databases was a highlight of her research, along with learning how to analyze data.

“It’s the true meaning of persistence,” she said. “You are not going to be on top of the world winning or finding something groundbreaking. A lot of it is just hard work - keeping going when it's hard and working with your peers.”

Juan Carlos’ research focused on using imaging to compare data sets to track changes.

“Not everything is new," he said of science. "A lot of projects are not novel but have a tiny thing that make them unique.”

Collaboration was a valuable lesson that Mary learned during her research project. She said that she also “learned how to present information and to understand the breadth and scope of the information put before you.”

The two scholars each have a tough upcoming choice. Juan Carlos plans to major in biochemistry and later attend medical school. Cornell University and Boston College are his top contenders. Mary wants to pursue a career in the foreign service. She plans to major in international relations with a minor in Arabic.

Juan Carlos, who has been trying to decide between attending Northwestern or Cornell University with plans to become a doctor, said he is intrigued by medicine because he is an analytical person: “I’m fascinated by the puzzles that are biological systems - their complexities and interactions," he said. "The unexpected nature of it makes it very exciting."

Mary seeks a career with a purpose: "The foreign service is about giving understanding that there is something greater than yourself,” she said. “You use the tools your education provided in a much larger context, and you are working with people in a very driven environment. The challenges are today's challenges. It requires critical thinking and research skills.”

Being a part of the Science Research Program Mary said it helped her become more focused on what she wants for herself.

“Through the Science Research Program, I learned that I need to be in a mission orientated environment,” Mary said. “I want to be around people who share a common goal, even if we think differently on how to approach problems.”

In addition to their interest in science, the two scholars have enjoyed athletic careers at OHS.

Up until this year, Juan Carlos had been part of a year-round swim team outside of OHS. He also was a member of the OHS varsity swim team, along with playing on the varsity tennis team for all four years.

He is an also student representative at his school.

Mary was also a year-round swimmer before she began running. She even coached a local swim team and enjoyed being on the other side of the program. She also ran on the varsity cross country team, along with the indoor and outdoor varsity track teams.

Mary also serves as head of the OHS newspaper.

In describing the OHS Class of 2022, both used the word “collaborative.”

“We all make sense when we are all put together,” Mary said.

The two intend to spend the upcoming summer relaxing and spending time with friends before their next chapter begins.

“Senioritis has really hit me,” Juan admitted. “I’m ready for college.”