Rondout Valley High School has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025! Freja Ermer is top of her class with a weighted average of 101.49 and Sam Lever is number, at a 99.2 weighted average.

As co-captains of the Math Team, Freja and Sam led RVHS to the state championships this year, while keeping their grades up and staying active with all kinds of extracurriculars.

Freja is a Rosendale resident, with her parents Naja Kraus and Nathan Ermer. She's graduating with 34 honors, AP and college credits, plus a Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. At RVHS she is Vice President of the National Honor Society, a Student Congress representative, Vice President of the World Languages Club, a Science Olympiad member and a Newcomers Uplifted mentor.

Freja also plays the clarinet – she has played in the NYS All State band with the best student musicians in the state, as well as the RVHS jazz band and pit band. She was also the student director of the school band this year.

She's still undecided about where she will attend college in the fall, but looking back she advised students to “try new things and put yourself out there. You will meet wonderful friends, and you might find interests you didn't know you had.”

Sam Lever, of Cottekill, is the son of Rachel Crozier and Alex Lever. He will graduate with 28.5 advanced credits, plus extra classes he took at SUNY Ulster outside of school. He is attending Cornell University in the fall to study math.

He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Olympiad and the school band, where he plays the tuba. As part of the WISE program, he designed his own senior project, focusing on algebraic geometry and theory. He was also a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

"Freja and Sam have not only excelled academically but have done so with remarkable humility,” RVHS Principal Jessica Torok said. “They lead by example, always lifting others up and embodying the true spirit of kindness and dedication. Their achievements are matched only by their character, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate them."