Meet the four valedictorians for the Class of 2024

As Salve Regina prepares to celebrate the Class of 2024, four students stand out as a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. For the valedictorians of this year’s graduating class, the journey through academia has been uniquely marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s valedictorians are Jessica Roberts ’24, an American history major; Ashley Lefebvre ’24, a marketing major with minors in business administration, economics and global studies; Sofia Abuin ’24, a psychology major with minors in applied behavior analysis and special education; and Cailin Martin ’24, an environmental studies major.

Part of the “Covid Class,” these students not only navigated the complexities of higher education during unprecedented times, but also overcame the disappointment of missing out on their high school graduations in 2020. Their achievements serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to academic excellence amidst the uncertainties of the past few years.

“Our resilience gives me hope for our futures and the wellbeing of the world — and I am grateful to celebrate this at what will be the first Commencement ceremony for many of us,” Martin said.

Sofia Abuin

Sofia Abuin ’24

Abuin is enrolled in Salve Regina’s combined bachelor’s/master’s program for behavior analysis. She has already started her graduate coursework and recently began work as a behavior technician at her practicum site.

During her time as an undergraduate student, Abuin worked closely with Thompson Academy, an after-school learning initiative through Salve’s Center for Community Engagement and Service. Through this unique opportunity, Abuin learned more about herself and discovered her interests.

“I have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know so many incredible students, coordinators and volunteers,” she said. “Learning about them and from them these last two years has taught me so much about pursuing what you love, understanding others and growing as an individual.”

As one of four valedictorians, Abuin is proud that Salve’s valedictorians are all women. “It is really remarkable to have four female valedictorians from this class,” she said.

Ashley Lefebvre

Ashley Lefebvre ’24

Lefebvre is an intern on the marketing and development team at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County and will pursue her MBA at Salve Regina this fall. As a student-athlete and captain of the field hockey team, she found this experience to be quite rewarding.

“Playing a sport at Salve had a large impact on me,” she said. “Being a part of a college team is an amazing experience, specifically to be able to come into college and have a group of people who have lived on campus and experienced it already that you can go to for help and advice is great. Then being able to be that person for the underclassmen who come in after you and reciprocate the knowledge you gained is a wonderful feeling.”

Lefebvre was surprised to learn she was named a valedictorian for the Class of 2024.

“I was surprised I was able to prove to myself that I could achieve something this big,” she said. “Freshman year was tough on everyone in a different way, and to be able to push through and still work hard to get to this point is impressive. I think all four of us should be so proud.”

Cailin Martin

Cailin Martin

Martin, a Newport native, will represent the Class of 2024 at Commencement as the valedictorian speaker. In her address, she will celebrate the innumerable and incredible successes of her graduating community.

After graduation, Martin plans to explore opportunities in conservation and environmental education.

“I plan on applying the education and work experience I gained during my time at Salve to make environmental education more accessible for people of all ages and abilities while furthering conservation efforts to save native and endangered species,” she said.

Martin was recently named an alternate for a Fulbright award. Should additional funding become available, she will conduct research at the University of Kent through the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, where she has been accepted to the master’s program in conservation biology.

She discovered and nurtured a passion for environmental conservation during her time at Salve. She thanks Dr. Jameson Chace, chair of the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies, for inspiring her to become a steward of the Earth.

“He was my biggest advocate when I transferred to Salve and he continues to uplift me post-graduation,” Martin said. “His passion for environmental education is the reason I changed my major from elementary education to environmental studies. He is one of the most intelligent, hard-working and selfless people I have had the privilege to know, and I would recommend any of his classes from tropical biology to his expertise, ornithology.”

Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts ’24

Roberts plans to take a gap year to study for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) and apply to law school for fall 2025, as well as gain relevant work experience. She said her time in the Department of History made a profound impact on her undergraduate journey and has prepared her well for law school.

“The professors truly care about getting to know their students on an individual level in order to help them flourish,” Roberts added. “I would not be where I am today without their support and guidance.”

As her time at Salve Regina comes to an end, Roberts is grateful for the community that turned into family. She recalls presenting her senior thesis as one of her fondest memories.

“I am drawn to this memory because of the people I saw when I looked into the audience — friends that I had made from different aspects of my life and involvement at Salve came to support me during my presentation,” she said. “There is something truly special and unique about the Salve community. The people here really care about one another.”