Valedictorian and Salutatorian Spotlight: How Friendship Can Forge Success

Ayesha Patel and Jessica Biyogmam interview together for the Graduation Highlight Video

As Baldwin High School’s Class of 2025 took its final bow, two standout students rose together at the top of the class, not just as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, but as best friends, academic partners, and soon-to-be college roommates. Ayesha Patel and Jessica Biyogmam are proof of what happens when determination meets deep friendship.

Ayesha Patel: Vision, Service, and Focus

Ayesha's delivers her Valedictorian speech at the 2025 grad ceremony

Crowned Valedictorian of the Class of 2025, Ayesha Patel has never wavered in her path toward medicine. “Even right now, if I see myself in the hospital or working as a hospital surgeon, I get excited about it. I just can’t see myself getting excited over anything else,” she shared, eyes bright with purpose.

Ayesha plans to attend the University of Georgia, where she’ll major in biochemistry on a pre-med track, with aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Her love for biology was cemented through classes like AP Biology and Human Anatomy, especially during hands-on labs and dissections.

But Ayesha’s legacy goes beyond just academic excellence. She graduates with distinction and a collection of cords that reflect her broad impact: Beta Club, DECA, TRIO, Forge Club, and Checkmate Leadership Academy, where she organized community service projects like packing sandwiches for the local blessing fridge.

Ayesha Patel presents at this year's Golden Apple Awards

“I’ve always had a passion for learning. And I’ve always known I wanted to pursue medicine, so I just kept that goal in sight and surrounded myself with the right people to stay focused”.

Jessica Biyogmam: Drive, Discipline, and Heart

Jessica Biyogmam delivers her address at the 2025 Graduation

Jessica Biyogmam, this year’s Salutatorian, is headed to UGA as well, to pursue biology on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming an interventional cardiologist. Her journey into medicine was sparked at a scholarship competition at Mercer University, where she met a real-life cardiologist who offered her clarity and direction. “It was like it just made sense,” she said. “Interventional cardiology gives me the balance I want between being a doctor and having a life outside of work”.

Jessica’s transcript is a testament to her work ethic, but her story wouldn’t be complete without soccer and wrestling. A forward and occasional wrestler, she learned early how to balance academics and athletics:

“There was definitely a lot of sacrifice. Sometimes I had to wake up early just to make time for both. School always came first”.

She’s also deeply introspective. Her biggest obstacle? The pressure to be perfect.

“I had to let go of perfectionism. I learned that instead of striving to be perfect, I should just strive to be better”.

Jessica Biyogmam at the Senior Honors Announcement w/ Georgia College Early College Director Runee Sallad

Together: The Power of Academic Sisterhood

Biyogmam receiving the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 2025 Baldwin County Scholarship Award

Ayesha and Jessica met in fifth grade as recreational soccer players and classmates in band, but their real friendship began in ninth grade. As they both transitioned into full-time dual enrollment at Georgia College Early College, their bond deepened. Living in the same neighborhood helped, but it was their shared values and mutual support for one another that made them inseparable.

“We helped each other with everything, assignments, study sessions, even SAT prep,” Ayesha said. “We’d go to each other’s houses and just make it fun”.

Far from rivals, they became accountability partners. Ayesha admired Jessica’s patience and clarity in solving problems; Jessica valued Ayesha’s fast thinking and calming presence.

“Sometimes she panics and I jump in; sometimes I panic and she jumps in,” Jessica laughed. “But between the two of us, we always figure it out”.

Jessica Biyogmam with her Golden Apple teacher

They’re both headed to UGA, majoring in biology and biochemistry, and will share a dorm room on campus. Their advice to underclassmen? “Don’t try to do it all alone,” Ayesha says. “Find people who share your values. It makes all the difference.”

“I used to think I had to be independent all the time,” Jessica added. “But asking for help and surrounding myself with people like her changed everything”.

The Class of 2025: A Legacy of Friendship and Focus

As they prepare for the next chapter, Ayesha and Jessica leave behind a legacy not just of excellence, but of empowerment through connection. Their story reminds us that academic success doesn’t have to be a solo climb and that sometimes, the most powerful force behind reaching the top is a true friend cheering you on.

Congratulations to the Baldwin High School Class of 2025, and especially to Ayesha Patel and Jessica Biyogmam; future doctors, lifelong learners, and best friends.