Severna Park’s Valedictorian, Salutatorian Thrive In STEM

Severna Park High School’s (SPHS) class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian, Nora Devine and Shannon Zheng, are top scholars in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and are ready to learn all they can in college this fall. Devine will study at the University of Maryland, College Park, while Zheng prepares for New York winters in Ithaca on the campus of Cornell University.

Devine will study mechanical engineering, while Zheng will explore computer science. Friends since their COVID-stunted middle school years, Devine and Zheng recognize they are part of a growing trend of women in STEM and are excited to be part of the movement.

“There were more male students in our high school classes,” said Devine, noting that she expects that to continue at Maryland. “But I am really excited to be a part of the growing number of women in STEM.”

Zheng said she is excited for the strong female friendships she will make in college as women bond in what she hopes to be an equalitarian industry one day.

The budding engineers thrived in their high school’s STEM Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and they credit the Project Lead the Way and Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) programs for allowing them to explore STEM fields. Devine excelled in AP math and chemistry, while Zheng flourished in AP computer science and math.

Devine credits Geoff Bernstein, department chair of career and technical education, for supporting and challenging her in engineering classes and clubs. Zheng said that Eric Kilby, the SPHS music director, pushed her to further her musical abilities, while her counselor, Lindsay Brown, introduced her to new opportunities and helped her think through her pathway.

Zheng plans to pursue technology and the arts and determine how the two converge. “Severna Park High School is a great place to immerse yourself into many different opportunities,” she added, “which help you determine what career path you’d like to follow.”

Both scholars felt COVID was the hardest part of their academic careers but joked that if they had to choose grades to miss, it would be their middle school years. The class of 2026 is just the second class to have spent all four years in high school following the pandemic.

“It was a strange transition going from home school to immediately thinking about college,” Devine recalled.

Devine served as a math instructor and math and chemistry tutor, and volunteered at the Severna Park Community Center, Severna Park Library and with Kits to Heart. She’s a two-time ACE Mentor Program Best Project Award winner and held offices in the Math Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; space exploration, environmental and book clubs; and was a member of numerous others.

Her academic awards are extensive, including U.S. Presidential Scholars semifinalist in career and technical education; Charlee E. Witsel Award for Proficiency in Mathematics; Major General John E. Morrison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Innovation; National Merit Scholarship Corporation - Commended Student; Distinguished Service Learning Award for 250-plus hours of community service; Spanish Seal of Biliteracy; College Board national recognition; and Anne Arundel County Bar Association - essay contest winner, among others. She was elected to the National Honor Society including the math, science, technical, English and Spanish honor societies.

Zheng devoted many hours to tutoring math, served as a music camp leader by guiding large group ensembles, served as Anne Arundel County Public Schools summer teaching assistant, and volunteered extensively. She was a member of the SPHS orchestra, served as orchestra concertmaster, and earned the highest rating of one in Maryland state solo and ensemble.

Among her achievements, Zheng earned a National School Orchestra Award, National Recognition Program Award, was accepted into the Maryland all-state orchestra, and was an AP scholar of distinction. She also earned the Seal of Biliteracy in both Chinese and Spanish.

As for landing in the tops spots of their class, both graduates feel honored and humbled to have achieved that in a class of so many great students.

“There were so many classmates who excelled in high school that I didn’t really think about who valedictorian or salutatorian would be,” Devine said. “I just concentrated on doing well myself and didn’t focus on class rank or comparing myself to others.”

Zheng concurred. “There are a lot of people who are going to do some amazing things in their careers,” she said. “All I could do was focus on myself.”