Isabel Block '19 Named Class of 2019 Valedictorian

Isabel Block '19 has been selected to deliver the Class of 2019 valedictory address at the Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 24.

Isabel is a mathematics and Chinese double major, a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, and a soon-to-be member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is from Georgetown, MA.

While at Holy Cross, Isabel was a member of the all-female a cappella club The Delilahs, becoming the group’s treasurer in her sophomore year and a co-chair in her senior year, responsible for organizing all of the group’s rehearsals and performances. She was also a member of the Mathematics and Computer Science Student Advisory Committee, and a co-chair of the Modern Languages Student Advisory Committee. For the past three years, Isabel served as the Jewish representative at the Multifaith Community Prayer, an annual event celebrating the many faiths on campus. In addition, Isabel volunteered in the Admissions Office as a member of the Admissions Outreach Program, greeting prospective students and other visitors on campus.

Following graduation, Isabel plans to pursue a career as an actuary and has accepted a full-time position at Liberty Mutual Insurance in the Actuarial Development Program. Her long-term goals include achieving a fellowship as an actuary, visiting China and incorporating speaking Chinese into her career, as well as continuing to be an advocate for the Jewish community and other marginalized groups.

Isabel was selected as valedictorian from a group of academically outstanding members of the senior class, each of whom submitted speeches for consideration. The Valedictorian Selection Committee — composed of students from the senior class, faculty members and administrators — reviewed the submissions, and the final selection was made by Margaret Freije, Provost and Dean of the College.