Hunter Richard and Ngozi Nwaogu have known each other since the fourth grade, when they first participated in the Lynn Public School Band.
They’re now classmates at Lynn English, involved in student government, and two highly ranked students academically in the Class of 2008.
“I’ve known Ngozi for a long time – we did the band together,” said Richard. “We definitely over the past two or three years, have gotten pretty close. We’re both involved in student government and we’ve seen each other in action at school. Of course, there’s competition -  like anything -  but at the same time, it strengthens your friendship. You study together and work on projects.”
Nwaogu said the friendship has grown stronger since their arrival at English at the start of freshman year.
“We’ve done the high school band together and we’ve been in the same classes since freshman year, from math to science to other subjects,” said Nwaogu. “Hunter is a great guy. There is competition, but competition strengthens you and motivates you. It’s a healthy competition. It’s been good.”
And now Hunter Richard and Ngozi Nwaogu will continue their education at the same prestigious college in Cambridge. The two Lynn English scholars will head to Harvard University in September as members of the incoming Class of 2012.
Here’s a look at the two Harvard-bound seniors:
Hunter Richard
Hunter Richard, son of Pete and Marianne Richard, is the top-ranked student in the Lynn English Class of 2008 and is looking forward to delivering the valedictory address at the commencement ceremonies in June.
Richard is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. He was admitted to Harvard’s Biology Program and is considering a pre-medical or public health curriculum. He was also accepted to Brown University.
Richard had a tough decision to make as an eighth-grader at Thurgood Marshall School: would he move on to Classical or English?
“My father went to Classical and I was supposed to follow in his footsteps and go to Classical,” said Richard. “I was presented with a choice to go to Classical or pick English and I’m glad I picked English. I think it’s definitely the better choice from the experience that I got, the people whom I met, and the faculty. I definitely got involved with extra-curriculars.”
Richard is president of the Student Council and president of the Lynn Public Schools Band, where he plays the saxophone. He is also a state delegate to the Massachusetts Department of Education. He holds a Third Degree Black Belt in tae kwon do.
 “I remember my first week at English I was already in four different clubs and I think it’s the extracurricular activities that got me motivated to do well in school and be active in the community,” he said.
Richard said the faculty, administration, and guidance department at English have made his overall experience a productive one. “I definitely had some great teachers, especially  my biology teacher,  Miss [Nicole] Passinissi,” said Richard. [English Principal] Mr. [Andy] Fila has definitely kept the school in order and made it a good learning environment. I’ve visited the guidance department frequently, and they’ve just been very helpful and definitely guided me in the right path for scholarships and applying and sifting through all the mail and the forms. I’ve pretty much lived in the guidance department this year, and it’s been great. The staff is great.”
Richard has begun thinking about what he’ll say in his valedictory message on graduation day. “I really enjoy public speaking and I’m really excited for the opportunity to speak to the class,” said Richard. “I’m probably just going to say good luck and to keep the effort strong. I really believe that someone is born smart or mentally higher than anyone else. I think it’s really the effort you put in and how seriously you take things. You can pretty much do anything as long as you put the effort in. I think Ngozi and I are prime examples that hard work pays off and gets you to where you want to be.”
Ngozi Nwaogu
Ngozi Nwaogu, daughter of Grace Nwaogu, is ranked fifth in her graduating class and is a member of the National Honor Society. Ngozi hopes to pursue a career in business but is undecided about what her major will be at Harvard.
Nwaogu has maintained a busy schedule of extracurricular activities. She is a flutist in the Lynn Public Schools Band and a member of the varsity girls basketball team under coach Fred Hogan. She is also the senior class treasurer, editor of the school yearbook, The Bulldog, and a peer mediator in Virginia Keenan’s peer mediation program.
“English has so many activities and so many people that are there for you and that can help you out in all aspects of student life,” said Nwaogu. “For me, my teachers, my basketball coach, my guidance counselor – everybody is here to support you. I think English has really stepped it up, and with these two acceptances to Harvard, I think we’ve proven that we are a great school.”
Nwaogu praised the faculty and administration at English. “Our principal, Mr. [Andy] Fila, does a great job,” said Nwaogu. “I heard a lot of stories about English before he came here. The four years that I’ve been at English, I’ve seen that all the kids are well behaved. We go to class and we get down to business. There’s no bullying. I know in high school there’s a lot of peer pressure and a lot of bullying and all this negative stuff, but with Mr. Fila, school has been really good and under control. The students are focused and motivated.”
Nwaogu also credited Ford School Principal Dr. Claire Crane for a key role in her development. Nwaogu attended the Ford School for grades one through eight.
“When I first came here, having been born in Nigeria, Dr. Crane took me under her wing and put me on the right path,” said Nwaogu. “Sometimes they put new kids that come in to this country in certain classes. She saw something in me and she put me in the right classes and showed me the right way to do things. Thanks to her, I got to be where I am today, and I want to thank her for that.”
Lynn English High School guidance counselor Karen Twomey advised seniors Hunter Richard and Ngozi Nwaogu throughout their four-year academic careers and the entire college admissions process.