In his address to his fellow graduates of the Class of 2010, the Ramapo valedictorian called the moment "bittersweet."

With scores of memories from the academic and athletic sides of Ramapo, it's hard to fault Michael Berardo for reminiscing. After all, a standout athlete in soccer and basketball, as well as the senior class's top student, he has quite a bank from which to draw from. And now a new stage emerges, one not shared with the friends and fellow students he'd walked the halls with for four years.

But for Berardo, those fond memories remain. A few in particular stand out. One, of course, is the good times he's spent with friends, bonds that have strengthened but will now be tested as students venture off to college throughout the country.

The departing senior also will recall the fun he had at junior and senior proms as well as the recent successes of Ramapo's state champion football team, along with his own accomplishments with Ramapo's 2009 county-winning soccer team.

Although the challenges of balancing a social life with the academic rigors of high school are difficult enough for a student, it gets even more hectic when factoring in extracurriculars and athletics. Somehow Berardo managed to hold the top GPA in school while also participating in two sports, DECA (academic competition), TNT Core (a mentoring/leadership program in the school), and the National Honor Society—no easy feat.

 "Although I have definitely concentrated on school in high school, I've always managed to find balance," he said. According to the soon-to-be Georgetown Hoya, he's been fortunate to maintain a healthy equilibrium. Hitting that balance "has been easy as long as I get my work done on time or ahead of time."

Through his own diligence, Berardo has been able to claim such distinction. The graduating senior is quick to give credit to others, as well. He found Ramapo a key for helping him develop as a student. "I think that Ramapo has completely prepared me for college," he said.

Though he's also received advice, help and wisdom from two older brothers and his parents, Ramapo stands out because the school "sends so many students to universities. The teachers and guidance staff are tremendous in their preparation," he said.

Chief among those are two teachers. Spanish teacher Hugo Ospina and mathematics teacher Lee Barber "are both incredible teachers," he said.

Already friends with Ospina from his participation in Ramapo soccer, Berardo and Ospina formed a close bond. In Rampage, Ramapo's school newspaper, Ospina had called Berardo one of the best students he'd ever encountered in his years of teaching.

"Mr. Barber is an inspiration to me," Berardo said of the math teacher, whom Berardo had for statistics in his senior year.  "In addition to being a great teacher, he is also a great role model through his family life in supporting a handicapped child."

Berardo is no doubt excited to attend Georgetown University in the fall, where he's considering majoring in biology, though he's still undecided. The choice to attend the D.C. school was largely based on his feeling that the social atmosphere at Georgetown was very impressive, something he said is "rare" at the top-level institutions.

After that, who knows? Long-term, Berardo says he'd like to be either a surgeon or the general manager of an NFL team, though he admits "I expect my expectations to change when I arrive at college."

Wherever he goes, he's sure to remember his bittersweet feelings from graduation day. With diploma in hand and flurries of memories in his head, a world of challenges and opportunities awaits.