Oviedo High school’s Daniel Boktor wins the spot of Salutatorian for the 2024 graduating class. After navigating the social and academic life of high school, and of course the Coronavirus Pandemic, he is leaving Oviedo with the badge of second out of 500 plus students.
Boktor is a hard worker, computer and math fanatic, and practical person. These aspects of his character are what led him to enroll at MIT, a school with a 4% acceptance rate. Boktor is excited for the transition and looks forward to the change it will bring.
“I’m most looking forward to living in a city,” said Boktor. “I’m excited to see all the ways different cultures blend in such a close environment, to see snow, to be able to get around without driving, and to live on my own.” Change is usually hard, but Boktor is ready. With plans to double major in computer science and finance, and minor in music, Boktor has a busy time ahead of him.
Despite the difficult task he might face, Boktor’s supporters know something about Boktor, he perseveres. “The moment I met him, I knew he was special,” said Jordan Orlewicz, Boktor’s Junior year Physics C teacher. “He is an inspiration to everyone he encounters. As a student, he has achieved greatness and pushed himself to levels unthinkable at the high school level.”
With four years of rigorous classes, Boktor has learned how to handle stress in his life. “My biggest challenge throughout high school has been trying to find balance between school and the rest of my life,” said Boktor. Despite the struggle, Boktor found his balance, and made his way to Salutatorian.
Boktor’s friends have watched him find this balance and struggle through highschool, and they applaud the way he pushed through. Boktor’s friend since freshman year, Mikayla Barton said “I got to watch him navigate creating his own path throughout high school. He didn’t follow the ‘typical”’ progression of courses, and he really had to carefully decide what he would be doing each year, especially with the decision to branch out to UCF this school year.”
Thankfully, Boktor wasn’t alone in this struggle; his friends were there for him to call on throughout the years. He learned to rely on them and ask for help when he faced struggles. “My friends have had the biggest impact on me throughout high school,” said Boktor. “it’s definitely the people that aren’t directly involved with my work that help me most academically.”
One example of a time when Boktor’s friends could have been his support system is when Boktor took Jordan Orlewicz’s Physics C class. Orlewicz saw Boktor struggle throughout the class and saw Boktor work through this challenge. “Daniel never took a physics course and initially struggled with the foundational concepts required for such a high-level class,” said Orlewicz.
Fortunately, Boktor’s friends have been key in helping him de-stress and manage the heavy work load, leading him to success. And Boktor’s friends say he has given them the same support he has received. In fact, Barton characterizes Boktor as not only an amazing student, but an amazing friend. Barton described him as empathetic, reliable, and ready to listen, despite the stress he underwent. “I knew whatever he was doing, or whatever he had achieved, I wanted to be right there with him,” said Barton. “All the way up to college admissions and our final days as seniors, Danny has been someone I can rely on and go to for academic (and personal) advice.”
Moving into this next phase of his life, Boktor is going to have to learn to adapt, change, and succeed in a whole new environment. But this task isn’t something to run from or be scared of. Mr. Orlewicz knows Boktor will face the future head on. Mr. Orlewicz said, “For Daniel, challenges are opportunities, and his unwavering belief defines everything he does.”
