Durfee High School announces their top 10 seniors and bios for 2025.
1. Katerina Rumsey, valedictorian, is the daughter of Alan and Maria Rumsey. She will attend Brown University, where she plans to study Applied Mathematics. A dedicated student-athlete, Katerina served as captain of the varsity softball team and was also a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams. Her academic excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Harvard University Book Prize, the Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Award, the Exceptional Commitment to Math Award, the Paula Grillo Excellence in Chemistry Award, the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, and the AP Capstone Diploma. Katerina is a proud member of the National Honor Society. Beyond academics and athletics, she is passionate about giving back to her community, volunteering as a math tutor, and sharing her musical talent as a piano player at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
2. Owen Mitchell Moniz, salutatorian, is the son of Gilbert and Sandy Moniz of Family Drive. He will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he plans to pursue a dual major in Data Science and Computer Science. Owen is the recipient of numerous academic honors, including the Rensselaer Medal Award, Dollars for Scholars Scholarship, Foley Family Scholarship, Harold R. Bannister and Eleanor F. McKey Alumni Scholarships, Fall River Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, Fall River Carousel/Lions Club Scholarship, and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. He also earned the Perfect Attendance Award for not missing a single day of high school, the Excellence in Physics Award, the Exceptional Commitment in Mathematics Award, and recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. Additionally, he is an AP Capstone Diploma recipient. Owen is a member of the National Honor Society, TRIO Talent Search Program, Interact Club, Ping Pong Club, and the Chess Club. He served as president of the Recycling Department within the Durfee Green Team, leading the club’s current campaign, “Wave Plastic Goodbye,” which focuses on cleaning local beaches and oceans of plastic waste. A dedicated athlete, Owen was a captain of the Varsity Cross Country Team, Varsity Winter Track and Field Team, and Varsity Baseball Team. He has contributed to the community through participation in Durfee campus clean-ups, beach and park clean-ups, and as a math tutor for high school peers. He also volunteers as an assistant for the Family Academy Program, supporting elementary school students throughout the city.
3. Olivia Rumsey, daughter of Alan and Maria Rumsey, will be attending Brown University, where she plans to study Public Health as a pre-medical student. Olivia played four years of varsity soccer and served as captain of the varsity tennis team. Outside of athletics, Olivia has worked as an illustrator for both a children’s book and a medical website. During the summer, she shares her passion for tennis by working as a kids’ tennis instructor. Her academic achievements include the Brown Book Award, the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, the Excellence in Environmental Science Award, and the AP Capstone Diploma. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered in Durfee High School’s chemistry lab as well as at Charlton Memorial Hospital, where she played piano for patients and visitors. Following her studies at Brown, Olivia aspires to pursue a career in medicine as a physician.
4. William Rumsey, son of Alan and Maria Rumsey, will be attending Brown University, where he plans to study Environmental Engineering. William has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Colgate Book Award, Excellence in Environmental Science Award, AP Capstone Diploma, AP Scholar with Distinction Award, Durfee Alumni Scholarship, and the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship. A dedicated student-athlete, William served as captain of both the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Swim Teams, and was also a committed member of the Varsity Cross Country and Indoor Track teams. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has given back to his community by volunteering as a tennis instructor for the youth of Fall River and by supporting the Durfee Summer Enrichment Program. Looking ahead, William plans to pursue a career in Environmental Law.
5. Harry Zhang, son of Junzhong Zhang and Shuiyun Xu of Dwelly Street, has made the admirable decision to enlist in the United States Navy. He plans to pursue higher education in the future, with the goal of majoring in artificial intelligence. During his time in high school, Harry demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. He served as president of the Chess Club, treasurer of the Interact Club, and was an active member of both the National Honor Society and the Ping Pong Club. His achievements have been recognized through several honors, including the AP Capstone Award, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, and the Lasell Book Award. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Harry dedicated over 100 hours to community service through his involvement in the National Honor Society and Interact Club. He also balanced his commitments while working part-time at 168 Sushi & Kitchen. Harry’s advice to future generations is to “Always work hard and respect others.”
6. Madison Tabicas, daughter of Jodi and George Tabicas of Yellow Hill Road, will be attending Northeastern University this fall as a nursing major in the John Martinson Honors Program. Madison was a member of both the Girls Varsity Soccer and Tennis teams, served as President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Student Body, and participated in the Durfee Sixth Man Club and History Abroad Club. Her academic excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Harvard Chapter Book Award, AP Scholar with Honors, and the Hilltopper Award. She is also the recipient of multiple scholarships such as the Durfee Alumni Scholarship, Catherine Assad Memorial Scholarship, Fall River Lions Club Scholarship, Dollars for Scholars Scholarship, Prima Care Scholarship, Fall River Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, and the Edward J. Sullivan Scholarship. Additionally, she is an AP Capstone candidate. Madison has volunteered as a lab assistant at Durfee, supported classroom reading programs, assisted with elementary school field days, participated in Angels Anonymous events, and contributed her time to the FRCTA summer clinic. As Madison takes the next step towards pursuing her goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist, she will continue to carry Durfee pride with her in everything she does.
7. Tawhid Syed, son of Syed Zaman and Mariom Khanom of Ray Street, will attend Boston University in the fall, where he plans to major in Information Systems. Tawhid is the recipient of several academic honors, including the College of the Holy Cross Book Award, Fall River Hero of Peace Award, AP Scholar with Honor, and scholarships from Dollars for Scholars and the Fall River Scholarship Foundation. An AP Capstone Candidate, he served as Vice President of the Interact Club, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in the TRIO Upward Bound program and summer initiative. Deeply committed to service, Tawhid helped raise over $1,000 for Luv Michael, an organization supporting adults with autism, made holiday cards for St. Jude patients, and prepared mailings for A Wish Come True organization. Tawhid looks forward to combining his interests in business and technology to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.
8. Michaela Isabelle Goncalves, daughter of Michael and Amanda Goncalves of Highland Avenue, will attend Emmanuel College, where she plans to major in Nursing. Michaela is the recipient of the Pennsylvania State Book Award, Dollars for Scholars Scholarship, Lions Club of Fall River Scholarship, and the Durfee Alumni Association Scholarship. She is also an AP Capstone candidate. Michaela was a member of the Varsity Softball and Soccer Teams, served as Treasurer of the National Honor Society, was Captain of the Sixth Man Club, and participated in the History Abroad Club. She volunteered with My Brother’s Keeper, the Salvation Army, Durfee School events, and multiple field day events at various Fall River elementary schools. Looking ahead, Michaela aspires to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Neonatal Nursing. She will always be proud to be a Durfee Hilltopper.
9. Kasey Aguiar Juarez, daughter of Katherine Aguiar of Madison Street, will be attending Georgetown University this fall, where she plans to major in Biochemistry. Kasey is the recipient of numerous academic honors, including the Columbia Book Award, the National First Generation Hispanic Recognition Award, the Massachusetts Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and the AP Capstone Diploma. She has also been awarded several notable scholarships, including the Gates Scholarship, the Salvatore and Maria Pizzi Foundation Scholarship, and the Southeast Health Ambassadors Scholarship. Kasey was a member of the Varsity Swim Team, served as Historian for the National Honor Society, and participated in the History Abroad Club. Beyond academics, she remained involved in her community, volunteering with Holy Name Parish and as a competitive dancer at Studio Life Performing Art. Kasey aspires to pursue a successful career in the medical field.
10. Madison Marie Ferreira, daughter of Jake and Jaime Ferreira of New Boston Road, will be attending Northeastern University, where she plans to major in Public Relations. Madison has received numerous honors, including the Durfee Alumni Scholarship, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Wellesley College Book Award, the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, and recognition in the National First-Generation Recognition Program. Madison was an active and accomplished student. She was a member of the Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Diving teams, as well as the National Honor Society, DECA, the History Abroad Club, Ping Pong Club, South Shore Diving Club, and Max Performance Volleyball Club. Madison also gave back to her community by volunteering as a dive coach, middle school volleyball referee, camp counselor at Camp Sunshine, and at various Durfee events. While she is still exploring the many career paths within Public Relations, Madison is enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. She will truly miss the students and teachers of Durfee who made her high school experience so meaningful and unforgettable.
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