Montverde Academy proudly announces the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2024. Madeline Xie is this year’s Valedictorian, and Anabella Munoz is this year’s Salutatorian.
In her studies at Montverde Academy, Madeline Xie’s academic interests have centered around international relations, diplomacy, and economics. She has led and expanded the Global Social Entrepreneurship Program (GSEP), which she founded two years ago, to foster global collaboration and empower young social entrepreneurs to solve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In their inaugural season, they focused on brainstorming and developing social entrepreneurial projects. The program was a huge success, garnering attention from over 500 media outlets.
This year’s GSEP is focused on advancing their participants’ projects and preparing them for presentations at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. To enhance the program’s impact, Madeline is also exploring a potential partnership with Capital Normal University for their Chinese Bridge Summer Camp, a renowned language and cultural exchange initiative. “I am confident that these efforts will help further spread awareness about social entrepreneurship and the SDGs,” said Madeline. “Understanding, collaboration, and cooperation are fundamental and constructive, especially in the current global and social environment, and I believe this collaboration promises to foster these ideals among participants.”
Madeline has taken 12 AP courses, primarily focusing on social sciences. “The myriad of AP classes that MVA provides helped me find my academic interests,” said Madeline. “I am grateful to the MVA teachers who encouraged my curiosity and always provided answers that went beyond the textbook.”
She will attend UCLA in the fall of 2024 and plans to double major in political science and business economics. “I want to transition to international business by interning at consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG,” said Madeline, “and also pursue an MBA. By working in the consulting industry, I hope to explore different sectors and projects to find the field I’d like to delve deeper into and possibly build a career with bases all around the world, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.”
Anabella Munoz is part of the STEM SAC program in biomedical science at MVA. As the founder and president of the first high school Lifestyle Medicine Club and through her publication of “Addressing Lifestyle Changes for Our Generation” in The Orlando Sentinel and her coauthored publication of a peer-reviewed journal article, “The Inauguration of the First High School Lifestyle Medicine Club” in “The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine,” she has pursued her mission of motivating youth to adopt healthy lifestyles. Additionally, as a Scholar of the Brain Health Initiative, she has collaborated with Harvard Medical School to create curricula in educational institutions that outline how to be brain healthy. She is captain of the varsity swim team; Secretary General of the Model United Nations team; an Eagle Ambassador; and a member of the Disciplinary Committee, the Arts and Athletics Leadership Committee, and the Head of School Advisory Leadership Council.
She has taken 14 AP courses at Montverde Academy. “MVA’s programs have provided me with endless opportunities to grow both as a person and as a student,” said Anabella. “The teachers at MVA have truly been such an important part in my academic career as they mentored me, provided me with guidance, and challenged me to become the best version of myself.”
She will attend Cornell University in the fall of 2024 and plans to major in cognitive science. “I aspire to attend medical school to pursue my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon,” said Anabella. “Throughout this journey, I plan on conducting research to investigate how neurodegenerative diseases differ across different cultures in hopes of ensuring that all cultures have access, education, and representation in research on preventive health measures. I am very excited to continue pursuing my love for learning while saving lives!”
Congratulations to Madeline and Anabella on their outstanding accomplishments. We wish them the best of luck as they pursue their academic goals and continue to impact the world in a positive way.