Notre Dame Preparatory announced its co-valedictorians from the Class of 2025 on Thursday, April 10. The two young women graduating at the top of their class are seniors Lily Bethay and Rachel Kuczaj.

NDP students are taught to live by the school’s three Rs: Reverence, Respect and Responsibility every day.

“These two young women have modeled academic excellence and service to others all four years of their high school careers,” NDP principal Brie Dragonetti said. “They are everything we expect from a Notre Dame Prep graduate and exemplify our three Rs.”

It was an emotional moment when the two friends found out that they had earned the honor of co-valedictorian because they had worked so hard and pushed each other through the past four years.

“I’m so grateful to God and the NDP community for always encouraging me to do my best, serve others and work hard,” said Kuczaj, who will attend the University of Notre Dame next year. “It is nice to see the hard work pay off.

Bethay, who is still deciding which college to attend, echoed that sentiment, “I was a late applicant and one of the last students to get accepted into our class four years ago,” she explained. “I’m so grateful that God led me here. It’s a big honor to be recognized like this,” she added.

Bethay and Kuczaj have earned the honor of speaking at their May 16 commencement ceremony on Bemis Field at Notre Dame Prep.

The girls will be given their valedictorian medals at Notre Dame Prep’s Senior Awards Event set for 6 p.m., Monday, April 28.