Burlone

ATTLEBORO — Amanda M. Burlone never thought about being Number One. When she entered Bishop Feehan High School, a Roman Catholic institution four years ago, her goals were simple: to do her best in everything and to get into her dream school, Georgetown University.

Today, four years later, the modest 18-year-old valedictorian has achieved both her goals.

Coming from a public middle school, Burlone embarked on her high school career in an unfamiliar environment without her closest friends by her side.

“It was strange going to Mass with the whole grade and praying at the beginning of every class,” she says.

But luckily, her classmates were friendly, and very soon, she settled in, excelling in both academics and sports and devoting time to community service. She did it all and she did her best.

She would do her homework during school hours so she could relax in the evenings after tennis practice. She would try to finish studying during the week so she could spend time with her friends on weekends. She participated in her school’s charity events and in programs such as Students Against Destructive Decisions. She tutored younger students, always making sure she didn’t neglect her own studies.

Her hard work paid off as she bagged one award after another, including awards for excellence in math and science, the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement in Writing Award and the Principal’s Scholarship.

Virginia T. Jolin, Burlone’s math teacher for two years, says Burlone is easily one of the top three students she has taught in her 28-year teaching career.

“She was very, very quiet as a freshman,” Jolin says. “But by senior year she had blossomed. She was very active in class, posing questions, making connections between the material.”

Jolin and others who know Burlone describe her as unassuming and always willing to help others.

“She is intelligent but humble,” says Colleen D. Murray, Burlone’s friend and classmate. “She doesn’t speak about her accomplishments.”

When she became the only National Merit Finalist in her grade and only the second from her school in more than 20 years, Burlone says she didn’t realize “how big a deal it was” until her gushing peers and teachers congratulated her on her achievement.

But despite the hard work, Burlone is able to balance her rigorous academic life with an active social one. Like most teenagers, she enjoys shopping, going to the movies, going out to eat, and going to the beach during the summer.

“I don’t just stay in and study and do homework,” she says. “School is not my life.”

Burlone’s mother, Susan, agrees.

“She is a relaxed and confident student,” says Susan, who wasn’t sure until the end that her daughter would be valedictorian.

“We’re very happy, very proud.”

Looking ahead, Burlone hopes to study business at Georgetown so she can put her interest and skills in math to their best use.

And though the transition between high school and college can be tough for many, Burlone’s former teacher is confident of her success.

“She’ll be successful in whatever she attempts to do,” Jolin says. “I’ll be watching her success.”

As she and her peers begin a new chapter in their lives, Burlone has a simple message for them:

“Dream big,” she says. “Do not let anything get in your way.”

Indeed, as long as she follows her own advice, nothing can stop her from being Number One time and again.

njayakri@projo.com