This individual is someone you immediately notice in a room: he’s known for his curly/poofy hair that gives him a few inches, his dry sense of humor, and him absolutely shredding at the violin while others are on their phones or chatting. Whether it’s a well-timed dad joke in orchestra or a moment of insight in class, he has a way of standing out effortlessly. This student is also Arcadia High School’s 2024-2025 valedictorian: Max Ma! 

For Max, being named valedictorian isn’t just a personal achievement, but a reflection of years of consistent effort and the support he received from the people around him. He describes it as “a cherished opportunity” and is especially grateful for the teachers, staff, and peers who supported him along the way. Max’s academic success is derived from this mindset and his determination. 

Max emphasizes that “the most important skill to attain success is focus.” At a school as fast paced and competitive as Arcadia High School, students are constantly surrounded by opportunities, clubs, and social comparisons. For him, that meant tuning out distractions and focusing on what truly mattered both academically and personally. Max believes focus and motivation are built on genuine passion for what you do: “If you can find a path that fits you and are committed to running down that singular path and charting a unique trail forward, you’ll fall in love with learning.” 

One of those paths, for Max, was orchestra. Music wasn’t just a class on his schedule, but also a significant part of his high school experience. He describes orchestra as a “second family,” providing lasting friendships and a community where he could challenge himself and grow. From trips and socials to concerts and everyday rehearsals, orchestra offered Max a creative release, a support system, and some of the best memories of his high school years.

When asked to encapsulate his high school journey in a piece, Max chose Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1. With four contrasting movements, the piece mirrors his four years at Arcadia. He compares the first movement, Nocturne, to the “foggy initiation” of freshman year, a time of new experiences and uncertainty. In contrast, the final movement, Burlesque, captures the “triumphant energy” of senior year, reflecting the climax of his growth, achievements, and self-discovery throughout high school. “With both highs and lows,” he says, “the piece is great at telling the story a high schooler lives.”

Max’s story is part of a tradition at Arcadia High: student musicians consistently rank among the school’s valedictorians. Since 2019, six of the seven valedictorians have come from music programs, including Braden Wong (2020, Princeton), Kevin Tan (2019, Harvard), Rachel Loh (2021, MIT), Weber Lin (2023, Stanford), and Casey Kim (2024, UC Berkeley). This pattern reflects the connection between music education and academic achievement, an idea backed by research, but lived by students like Max.

As Max prepares to graduate, the Arcadia community is proud not only of his accomplishments, but also of the example he sets for future students. As an upperclassman, he’s been an encouraging presence to those around him: offering guidance, sharing advice, and setting an example of what it means to lead with purpose. He has definitely earned the title of valedictorian through years of hard work, focus, and perseverance. We’re excited to see how his journey continues beyond high school and are confident that Max will achieve great things in the future! Congrats again Max Ma!