Elms College is proud to announce that four outstanding students have earned the distinction of co-valedictorians for the Class of 2025. These students finished with identical top academic honors and will be recognized during the College’s 94th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The four co-valedictorians are:
- Hannah Duggan of Palmer, MA, Elementary Education major with a Coaching minor
- Declan Flynn of Hingham, MA, Marketing major with minors in Management and Coaching
- Natalie Pasko of West Springfield, MA, Graphic Design major with a minor in Japanese Studies
- Samantha Moyer of Monson, MA, dual major in Healthcare Management and Accounting
Three of the co-valedictorians shared reflections on their journey at Elms College.
Natalie Pasko ‘25
Graphic Design major, Japanese Studies minor
West Springfield, MA
For Natalie Pasko, being named co-valedictorian was a surprise. “It is a little surreal to learn I was named valedictorian,” she said. “I’ll be honest, I did not think I would make it.”
Although she graduated as valedictorian of St. Mary’s High School in Westfield, she did not expect to repeat the honor at the college level. Her focus, she said, was simply to keep her grades strong while pursuing her academic passions. At Elms, that included majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Japanese Studies — a field that aligned with her longstanding interest in Japanese culture.
Natalie took full advantage of Elms’ unique partnership with the University of Kochi in Japan, participating in exchange programs and traveling to Japan three times. She said, “When I found there was a Japan program here and an actual exchange program, where you get to interact with the students over there and when they visit here, it was a unique opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of.” Looking ahead, she hopes to live and work in Japan.
“Elms has been a great experience,” she said. “I loved being here, I loved all the opportunities that I’ve been given, all the people I’ve met.”
Declan Flynn ‘25
Marketing major, Management and Coaching minors
Hingham, MA
Declan Flynn called being named co-valedictorian “a true honor,” especially considering the talent within his graduating class. A member of the Elms College Golf Team, Declan balanced athletics and academics throughout his college career.
“Coming to Elms allowed me to discover what worked best for me,” he said. For him, that meant seeking help from faculty, who he found to be “more than accommodating” and invested in student success.
Declan also worked part-time at Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Chicopee, where he developed an interest in real estate, finance, and entrepreneurship — fields he hopes to be a full-time realtor after graduation.
He credits his athletic experience with sharpening his time-management skills and reinforcing the value of teamwork. “Some of the hardest workers in the room are the kids on sports teams,” he said.
Hannah Duggan ‘25
Elementary Education major, Coaching minor
Palmer, MA
For Hannah Duggan, the journey to co-valedictorian began after a strong first semester at Elms. “When I realized I could actually handle the workload — because college is daunting at first — it became a goal,” she said.
Hannah, a four-year member of the Elms Women’s Soccer Team, chose Elms because she wanted to both play collegiate soccer and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. During her senior year, she completed her practicum at Fairview Elementary School in Chicopee, where she gained hands-on classroom experience.
“Elms has definitely prepared me to become a teacher,” she said. “The experience and everything that I’ve learned have been tremendous.”
Her Coaching minor allowed her to stay connected to athletics beyond her playing days. She completed an internship coaching basketball at her former high school and currently coaches soccer with the Western United Pioneers in Ludlow.
Reflecting on her time at Elms, Hannah said, “Elms is a great community and a great space. You’ll learn everything you need to be fully prepared to enter a career.”