Class of 2026 Valedictorian

Camilla Mendoza - University of Pennsylvania

The Mercy Class of 2026 Valedictorian selected by her fellow classmates, teachers and administration is Camilla Mendoza who was chosen for this honor because of her outstanding academic achievements, personal character, and unwavering commitment to the values that define our Mercy community.

Overwhelmingly, students, staff and her fellow Val/Sal Finalists shared that Camilla embodies all that a graduating class hopes for in their commencement representative. Repeatedly, students shared how deeply she is respected, and  importantly, how she is valued as a true Mercy sister.

Uplifting, encouraging, humble, and genuine - Mila is truly an extraordinary young woman who makes others feel seen, valued, and heard. One fellow student shared, “Camilla inspires you to deepen your faith, especially during difficult times. She does everything humbly and with grace.” Another reflected, “She is so inspiring because she radiates pure joy.”

Ending her time at Mercy with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a span of 8 AP classes and a range of honors courses, Mila is both a courageous and confident learner who leads by intentionally uplifting those around her. As one student beautifully expressed, “Mila is a true representative of our class. She is intentional about hearing the voices of everyone. She embodies everything Mercy inspires students to be.” And, as an added bonus, her classmates unanimously agreed that she is an exceptional public speaker who will undoubtedly deliver a memorable graduation speech. We have no doubt that Mila’s compassion, authenticity, and leadership will continue to inspire all those fortunate enough to know her.

It is not only her Mercy sisters whom Mila seeks to uplift and inspire. She is also a passionate role model and advocate for educational opportunities for young girls within the Latina community. Guided by the belief that “you want to do something for those you love and believe in,” Mila uses her voice, leadership, and compassion to empower others to embrace every opportunity before them, believe in themselves, lead with confidence, and ensure that others always feel welcomed, included, and invited in.

In an extraordinary accomplishment, Mila has been named a Gates Scholar for the Class of 2026. In addition, she was selected as a finalist for the 2026 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program, recognized from a highly competitive pool of over 56,000 applicants.

Deeply committed to service and justice, Mila aspires to work directly with underserved populations in the Detroit area — not only providing care, but also serving as a voice for others within spaces of higher education, policy, and opportunity. She is passionate about finding innovative ways to connect her own opportunities and experiences to the advancement and empowerment of those too often overlooked.

Mila will be attending the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to major in biochemistry with minors in legal studies and history while pursuing a pre-med track. While her ultimate goal is to enter the healthcare field, Mila envisions a future that extends far beyond the traditional role of physician. She hopes to become a strong advocate for immigration policy and for improving access to healthcare for migrant and underserved communities.

Camilla, your exceptional academic record, leadership, inspiration and overall achievements make Mercy a better place.