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Becoming a high school valedictorian is no small feat. For new �������� Bear Ivette Terrero Carvajal, ’29, there’s a very personal reason behind her academic prowess.

Ivette’s family immigrated to the United States in 2014 from the Dominican Republic; they came seeking more opportunities for her.

“My parents are a big factor,” said Ivette, who was the top student in Global Learning Charter Public School’s Class of 2025 and plans to study accounting and finance at Bridgewater State. “I want to repay them for what they did for me. ... It’s also just to feel a sense of accomplishment for myself when I work hard and put my mind to something.”

Ivette is bringing that dedication to �������� this fall. And she is not the only stellar student from her high school becoming a Bear. In fact, six of the top 10 graduates (plus several additional students) from the New Bedford charter school chose to attend Bridgewater State come September.

�������� checked off all the boxes for Ivette and her classmates. It’s close to home and even accessible via the commuter rail, thanks to the new South Coast Rail expansion. And Bridgewater State offers strong financial aid packages that relieve much of the burden of paying for college, they said.

“I’ve always heard good things from my high school teachers who attended Bridgewater,” said psychology major Gilmarie Marmol, ’29, whose family is also from the Dominican Republic. “I definitely took that into consideration. They would always talk about how they had good experiences.”

Having spent a day on campus for orientation, Gilmarie is starting to understand why they speak so highly of ��������. Normally shy, she found it easy to acclimate to the new environment.

“I definitely liked that the people in this community are friendly and welcoming,” she said. “It makes you feel comfortable, and the campus was very pretty.”

Gilmarie was also impressed by the extensive support at �������� for students like her, who aspire to be the first in their immediate family to graduate college.

“I’ve always wanted to just make my mom proud of me,” she said. “It took her a lot to get where we are now.”

Ivette is excited about the increased independence university life brings, as well as the opportunity to join new clubs. Of course, she’ll also remain focused on her academics.

“I really like the campus and community,” she said. “I think this college is a really good fit for me.”

The other four members of Global Learning’s Top 10 students who are coming to �������� this fall are Itzamar Echevarria-Mojica, Leo Hachem, Kyle Keough and Vanessa Pereira.

Do you have a �������� story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.