York High School - Class of 2025

Michael Herath

1. GPA: 4.7829
2. High School Extracurricular activities: Cross Country, Outdoor/Indoor Track, Swim, Soccer, Drama, Green Team, and One Bag Project
3. Community Involvement: 4-H Teen Leader, James River Leadership Expedition and Capstone Project, Food Bank Volunteer
4. College attending: Virginia Tech
5. Studying/Major: Biological Systems Engineering
6. Tell us about a person or experience that has had a significant impact in your life? My experience with 4-h camp has been very formative of the person I am today. I have taken part in the weeklong summer camp for York & Poquoson counties since I was 8. Starting with a weekend camp, then camper, counselor in training, teen counselor and then most likely full-time staff next summer. 4-h's mission statement is "to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society". Alongside the support of my family and the York community, 4-h has been a guiding force in my life. The mentorship and encouragement I've received from the 4-H community are truly immeasurable. I'm committed to ensuring that other kids have the same kind of meaningful, supportive experiences that I've had through 4-H.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to rising high school students, what would it be? Focus on the skill building that can come from academics and not the grade. The grade will come with.
8. What was your favorite class you've taken in high school and why? AP Chemistry because it was a very intriguing subject that had an amazing teacher. It was challenging and taught me the value of practice, collaboration, and good studying skills.
9. What school tradition or experience will you miss the most? Eating lunch with my friends in the courtyard
10. Describe your high school experience in one word. Formative

Enrrique Burgos-Cueva

1. GPA: 4.7755
2. High School Extracurricular activities: Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Drama, National Honor Society, French Honor Society
3. Community Involvement: One Bag Project, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Edgehill Community Center, New Year’s 5k, Half Marathon Water Stop
4. College attending: University of Virginia
5. Studying/Major: Civil Engineering
6. Were there any teachers or mentors who played a significant role in shaping your academic journey? If so, how? A mentor who played a significant role in my academic journey would probably be my older brother. He really helped me in making decisions for school.
7. What was the most useful advice you have received from someone about high school? The most useful advice I've ever received from someone in high school is that if you're going to do something, then commit to it. Don't do anything halfway, and don't be afraid to try.
8. What's one class you wish had been offered or you had been able to take in high school? One class I would've liked to take is AP Human Geography. It seemed like a fun class and I would've liked to try to take the AP exam for it.
9. If you could create one new rule (or change a rule) at your high school, what would it be and why? I would probably change the rules for eating outside. It's very compared to the cafeteria, and I wish more people knew they could go out.
10. What is your most memorable experience or highlight from your high school years? My most memorable experience from my high school years was RVA relays during my freshman year. It was the first large-scale sports event I've ever been a part of, and it was such an experience that I could never quite recreate.

Lana Quick

1. GPA: 4.7755
2. High School Extracurricular activities: Field Hockey, Soccer, President of Governor's School's Roots for STEM organization, Theater, Green Team, Honor Societies: National, Science, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish, International Thespian.
3. Community Involvement: YVC and One Bag Project.
4. College attending: University of Virginia
5. Studying/Major: Computer Science and AFROTC
6. Were there any teachers or mentors who played a significant role in shaping your academic journey? If so, how? My theater director, Mr. Doster, played an enormous role in shaping my high school experience. He taught me to believe in myself and constantly encouraged me to succeed to my fullest potential over the past four years.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to rising high school students, what would it be? Even though graduation may seem like a long time away, these next few years will be the fastest of your life, and if you don't stop to appreciate it every once in a while, they will come and go in the blink of an eye.
8. What was your favorite class you've taken in high school and why? My favorite class in high school has to be my sophomore year Drama II class. I had more fun in that class than any other, and I looked forward to the teacher and students in that class everyday!
9. What school tradition or experience will you miss the most? I am going to miss going to sports games with my friends and cheering on our team all dressed up in funny outfits, laughing and cheering for hours.
10. What is your most memorable experience or highlight from your high school years? My most memorable experience was going out to eat lunch every Friday with my friends from the Governor's School, going to Chick-fil-A or Canes!