Meet the Scottsdale Prep Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Senior Annika Kimery has been named Valedictorian for Scottsdale Preparatory Academy’s Class of 2024, with Sabrina Manero honored as the Salutatorian.

At Scottsdale Prep, the senior valedictorian is the recipient of the highest honor that the academy can confer upon a student. The valedictorian is selected at the beginning of May by the assembled faculty. The faculty may also select a salutatorian from the senior class, a student of high distinction beneath the valedictorian.

Kimery received the National Army ROTC scholarship and an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, but ultimately chose to attend Indiana University, where she will study Nutrition Science and take part in IU’s ROTC program. Throughout her time at Scottsdale Prep, Kimery has developed herself as both an athlete and a scholar.

After putting in countless hours in the pool for both Scottsdale Aquatic Club and Scottsdale Prep’s own swim and dive team, Kimery and her teammates successfully won state runner up in both the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays at state her sophomore year. She then took on the role of team captain her junior and senior year.

As an equestrian, she has successfully qualified, competed, and placed at the national level numerous times throughout her career. She is both the President of Region 7 for the Arabian Horse Youth Association and sits on the National Board of Directors as well. Athletics have heavily influenced her life, creating lifelong skills that have also served her well in the classroom.

Thanks to the rigorous curriculum at Scottsdale Prep, Kimery earned the title of National Merit Finalist. Additionally, she has served as president of the AP Biology Club for the past three years, helping underclassmen learn the necessary coursework and prepare to take the AP Biology test. Along with numerous other extracurriculars, Kimery has deeply immersed herself within the Scottsdale Prep community.

Manero will be attending Duke University with nearly $300,000 in scholarships. She will be majoring in Neuroscience with an intended concentration in Humanitarian Challenges.

Outside of school, Manero founded her own skin cancer prevention nonprofit organization, Rays Awareness, which is dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility in underprivileged communities. In doing such, she has raised over $10,000, distributed thousands of ounces of sunscreen, hosted 50 sun protective equipment donation drives, and amassed roughly 200 volunteers across the nation. In accordance with her nonprofit, she also conducts research on the socioeconomic determinants of skin cancer literacy to better understand the challenges imposed upon the populations she serves. However, despite these achievements, she receives the most fulfillment from witnessing the impact her organization wields over her mother, severely scarred, but not conquered by skin cancer.

Manero was selected for Mayo Clinic’s Career Advancement, Research, and Education Program followed by a mentorship under the senior researcher in Mayo Clinic’s Immune-Monitoring Core, during which she studied the usage of the cytometry technology which revolutionized immunophenotyping. She served as the executive director of a student-led organization committed to destigmatizing psychiatric disorders, contributing to the distribution of thousands of tools designed to help with anxiety. Moreover, she was elected as president of HonorHealth’s Medical Explorers’ Club, during which she created opportunities for local youth to gain clinical exposure to the healthcare field. She has dedicated around 500 community service hours total as a lead volunteer at both HonorHealth and Arizona Humane Society, while also holding three jobs. All of these experiences culminated in her most recent accomplishment – presenting a TEDx Talk on “How to Reimagine the Paradigm of Success.”

At Scottsdale Prep, Manero serves as the president/founder of the PreMed Club, Blue Crew, and the Sustainability Club. Moreover, she’s positioned as a class lead in the Student Mentoring Program, an instructor in the Writing and Seminar Lab, a council member of Diakonos, and a private tutor of many. She also functions as the team manager of the varsity volleyball team, in addition to an outside hitter. She also participates in her school’s Carolers, Philosophy Club, and Social Committee.

Please join us in congratulating these great-hearted seniors and their incredible accomplishments!

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.