Luke Richey 2024 Valedictorian
Luke Richey has been named Notre Dame Regional High School’s Valedictorian for the class of 2024. Richey is the son of Wade & Rachel Richey of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
At Notre Dame, Richey has served as president of the National Honor Society, secretary of the National Spanish Honor Society, president of FBLA, as well as sophomore and junior class presidents. Richey has also served as captain of the scholar bowl team and as a member of both soccer and tennis teams. He has been named to the All-District Scholar Bowl team twice and the All-District and All-Conference Soccer teams once.
Richey has been named a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist, a National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Scholar, a Missouri Scholars 100 Recipient, a U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Nominee, and a U.S. Senate Youth Program State Finalist. He has received two gold medals on the National Spanish Exam, a bronze medal on the National French Exam, and medaled in five Math Field Day events. He has also received the Missouri STEM Signing Day Scholarship and the University of Missouri’s Perfect Score and Stamps Scholarships.
Richey has also served as District 15 president and vice president for FBLA, and he is a two-time state champion in FBLA competitive events.
Richey has attended the Missouri Scholars Academy, Missouri Boys State, and the University of Missouri’s Constitutional Democracy Academy. He also participated in the 2024 Franciscan Volunteer Program.
Richey has not finalized his plans for after graduation, and is currently deciding between attending the University of Chicago, the University of Missouri, Bowdoin College, and Washington University in St. Louis. He plans to pursue a major in the field of engineering.
Richey said, “I would like to thank my family, teachers, coaches, and friends for always supporting me and helping me become who I am today.”
Blanca Albuixech-Robinson 2024 Salutatorian
Blanca Albuixech-Robinson has been named Notre Dame Regional High School’s Salutatorian for the class of 2024. She is the daughter of Lourdes Albuixech and Colin Robinson, and is a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Herrin, IL.
Albuixech-Robinson has been a varsity swimmer for Notre Dame since her freshman year. She participates in the Friends of the Library Club, and is on the makeup crew for both the fall play and spring musical. She is the vice president, secretary and treasurer for the National French Honor Society. Albuixech-Robinson says she spends the majority of her time working at Wal-Mart to save for college.
Albuixech-Robinson studied abroad in France during her junior year. She said, “Although I did miss out on certain events and have had to finish some credits this year, I do not regret it at all. I believe the experience gave me a wider perspective of the world and even solidified my interest in physics thanks to my teacher, Mr. Mulley. During my time there, I was able to learn a third language and make connections with people I would not have otherwise. I believe that if anyone has the chance to study abroad, they should.”
After graduation, Albuixech-Robinson plans to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to major in Aerospace Engineering while obtaining a double minor in French and Astrophysics.
“I would like to thank mi mamá especially for always pushing me to work harder and to not give up even when it seems to be the easiest option.”