SWANSEA — The suspense went on and on. The 2007 valedictorian at New England Christian Academy was expected to be announced by May 23, but as of this past Monday, just four days before graduation, there was still no news.

Finally, early Tuesday, the announcement was made: Shane Lima, of Riverside, is this year’s valedictorian and Larissa Garcia, from Berkley, is this year’s salutatorian.

“It’s actually been such a competition since the beginning of junior year with this other girl, so to find out on Tuesday was really a big accomplishment. I saw her on Tuesday at graduation practice. She walked up to me and said congratulations, and I said likewise. It was pretty good,” said Lima.

“It was actually pretty good to have this little competition, because it helped us to stay focused at school and to work toward that goal in the end,” added Lima, who transferred to New England Christian from another Christian school in Attleboro in the 10th grade.

“I’ve actually had a really great time there,” he said. “Academically, I’m really into history and a lot of sciences. Math is my least favorite subject.

“I’m actually going into journalism at URI in September. I just find it really interesting. . . . Watching the news and reading different reports, I just feel like that’s what I really want to do. It seems like a really rewarding career. Athletics, I just play more for enjoyment, more for fun.”

Tonight’s commencement address will be given by Pastor Morgan Martel, senior pastor of Grace Gospel Church, the parent ministry of the academy. Also speaking will be principal Gary Morris and Lima, who said he will talk about “what we’ve learned and actually making a difference in the world. And that it’s all up to us to live up to our fullest potential.”