High-Achieving Monarch High Students Look Forward to College

by David Volz May 21, 2026

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Hillary Richard, Brielle Finch, Lionel Valentin, and Steven Strong. {David Volz}

Steven Strong has a passion for learning and helping others.

The valedictorian of Monarch High School, Strong, has a 5.55 grade point average. He is preparing to attend the University of Florida this fall, where he will study pre-medicine.

“My favorite subject is chemistry, and I also enjoy math and English. My goal is to help people, and I want to be successful in education,” said Strong.

He was president of the National Honor Society (NHS) and vice president of the Math Club. Strong also played point guard on the Monarch basketball team. He earned the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma and qualified for the Bright Futures Scholarship, which provides him with a full scholarship to the University of Florida.

“As a leader in the NHS and Math Club, I spent time doing community service, including tutoring students,” he said.

Similarly, Lionel Valentin is the salutatorian at Monarch, with a 5.5 GPA, and is looking forward to attending the University of Florida this fall. He earned the AICE diploma and a full scholarship.

Valentin said he wants to study finance and pre-law, with the goal of becoming a lawyer. He also enjoys learning about psychology and literature.

As a vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), he led the Dance Marathon, which brought students together for a night of fun and fellowship and raised about $15,000 for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. He was president of the Inter-Club Council and led Monarch’s first homecoming parade.

“I enjoyed organizing the parade, and I especially loved the dance marathon,” said Valentin.

Brielle Finch was president of the SGA and earned a 5.0 GPA. She is looking forward to attending Florida State University in the fall. She worked to promote student activities, including homecoming, the dance marathon, and other events that brought students together. She earned the AICE diploma and a full scholarship.

Finch explained that she always tried to have a smile on her face and promoted activities through social media. She was in competitive cheerleading for ten years, which helped her become a leader in SGA. She said she wants to study communications and sports marketing this fall.

Hillary Richard also made her mark at Monarch, serving as SGA administrator, recording all data and information for the organization, and as Inter-Club Council secretary. She was also a leader for pep rallies and school spirit events.

Richard earned a 4.9 GPA and an AICE diploma. She will attend the University of Miami this fall.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.