Being selected as one of the Class of 2020’s three valedictorians has always been a dream of Jack Dugoni’s.

“My Uncle Bob graduated as the valedictorian of Serra's Class of 1979, so I certainly wanted to continue his legacy,” Jack said. “I knew I had the academic potential to accomplish this goal, but Serra's valedictorian process is different than most -- it attempts to reward students who have made their presence felt at Serra, through leadership or athletics or performing arts, while achieving highly in the classroom,” he said. 

For this reason, valedictorian candidates must receive approval from the students as well as the administration. 

As a result of this unique distinction, he said, “I am thrilled that the honor was given to me. It tells me that my Serra journey was successful in many eyes beyond my own.”

Success is something that Jack is all too familiar with. A standout student, Jack has been accepted to prestigious Duke University, where he plans to study mechanical engineering with an aerospace engineering concentration. 

While at Serra, Jack was active in the executive council, serving as the student body president his senior year, and class president as a sophomore and junior. He is the founder and president of the Exploring Physics Club, executive editor of the Serra Friar his junior year and a freelance reporter for the school paper his junior year. As a freshman, Jack was on the freshman rowing team and then jumped to the varsity team his sophomore and junior year. He also ran cross country junior and senior year. As a junior and senior, Jack was a co-president of the Trivia Club and was Block Society President his senior year. Jack was a yell leader junior year, a speech and debate member sophomore year. A National Honor Society member his junior and senior years, Jack is also a life member of the California Scholarship Federation. 

Jack said of his high school experiences, he will forever remember the afternoon he was officially elected student body president.

“I remember walking through the halls afterward feeling immense pride in my Padrehood and a sense of conviction to bring my utmost energy and passion to the role,” he said.

Inside the classroom, through clubs and sports and in student government, Jack has learned many lessons, but his combined experiences at Serra have taught him to hone an invaluable reliance on himself. 

“Serra has taught me that success isn’t about having skill; it’s about being a man who others can look to and trust. The only way that you can do that is to be genuinely you, not just a projection of who you want to be. In this way, Serra taught me not only the value of being independent, but also the importance of being me.”

A Padre legacy, Jack has many family members to thank. 

“To my father, my four uncles, and my cousin that came before me, thank you for beginning our family’s Serra story. I was blessed with the opportunity to write my own chapter, and I will forever be grateful for it.”

Congratulations, Jack, on all your achievements! You make Serra proud! All the best at Duke! 

#YouKnowTheVibes