Mother Seton Regional announces valedictorian and salutatorian

Clark, NJ: The Administration, Faculty and Staff of Mother Seton Regional High School are proud to announce their senior class valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2021-2022 school year. Valedictorian, Emily Destito of Linden, and Salutatorian, Raquel Pita of Belleville, were recognized with the top two academic achievement awards. 

Emily Destito, Valedictorian, is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. She participated in Math League and Science League. Emily was also a Student Ambassador, and a member of the Loaves and Fishes Club. Emily also received the AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP English and AP US History awards. Besides maintaining her excellent academic record, Emily was a four-year athlete participating in soccer and serving as captain in her senior year. Emily is the younger sister of alumna Lauren Destito, class of 2019, who is a nursing student at TCNJ.

Emily is excited about her Ivy League acceptance to Cornell University where she will study Chemical Engineering. 

Salutatorian, Raquel Pita, is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. She was involved with the school’s volleyball team playing for one year and serving as their manager for three years. Raquel served as a Student Ambassador and competed in both Math and Science Leagues. She has been the Sound Coordinator for MSR’s musicals. Raquel Pita is the older sister of Catarina Pita, class of 2026.

Raquel is looking forward to attending the University of New Haven for Cybersecurity and Networks. 

Sister Jacquelyn Balasia, Principal of Mother Seton Regional High School, was beaming with joy as she shared this: “Each of these two girls has devoted countless hours of hard work and dedication to their studies at Mother Seton Regional High School to receive this time-honored recognition. We congratulate both Emily and Raquel on all of their achievements and accomplishments, both inside and outside of the classroom. We know that they will make a difference in this world. The future is HERS.”