By: Richard L. Smith
If you ask most at Bloomfield High School who has the loudest laugh in the building, there’s no hesitation: Windel Manalansan.
However, during my 45-minute conversation with the brilliant young class scholar, I learned that behind that contagious laugh, often echoing from Room 252 during AP Statistics, is the sharp, thoughtful mind of a scholar, leader, and friend to many.
Windel, the 2025 Valedictorian of Bloomfield High School’s graduating class of about 500, has spent his entire life in this Essex County township.
And as he prepares to leave for Cornell University in the fall, he carries with him not just academic accolades, but the spirit of a community that helped shape him.
I learned that Windel’s story isn’t one of overnight success. It began in Bloomfield’s elementary schools, where he first developed his love of learning.
Middle school, though shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, left a lasting mark.
“We called ourselves the ‘honors by accident’ he laughed, recalling a name accidentally given to his close-knit honors cohort by a math teacher. “We were just these goofy kids, but we stuck together—and most of them are still my closest friends.”
He vividly remembers his last pre-pandemic day in school. It was Pi Day. Students got to pie their teachers in the face—a celebration that would unknowingly mark the end of normalcy.
“Then two weeks turned into never coming back,” he said.
But resilience is a trait Windel inherited from his family. He told me that he was the son of Filipino immigrants, and he even credits his work ethic to his parents and two older sisters.
His father raised money to immigrate alone from the Philippines, while his mother juggled caregiving responsibilities for her siblings and nieces as she built a life in the U.S.
“I just felt like I had to do something with the opportunity they gave me,” he said.
Windel didn’t set out to become valedictorian—it simply happened through consistent effort and a drive to meet the high standards set in his home.
“I would hear my parents pushing my sisters to do better, and I thought, ‘I want to do better too—not just for them, but for myself.’”
As high school progressed, it was clear in our conversation that Windel didn’t just grow academically—he bloomed socially.
A proud member of Begals Paws where he helped younger students during Read Across America Week and gave tours to incoming families.
He also joined the Key Club, National Honor Society, and president of Red Cross Club. “I loved surrounding myself with people who wanted to give back. That balance between community and academics—it was important to me.”
He laughs about being “obnoxiously loud” in class, embracing his dual identity as both the quiet, composed student in front of teachers and the high-energy friend who knows how to celebrate life.
“I study hard, but I also know how to have fun and party a little. That’s just as important.”
With a staggering 4.435 GPA and a summer program at Cornell under his belt, Windel had options. Initially planning to attend Rutgers, he made a last-minute decision to return to Cornell—this time as an engineering student in the prestigious Honors College.
Yup, he’s got plans already.
“I want to join student project teams like iGEM, and also the Filipino Student Association. The Selander Center for Engineering Leadership looks amazing, and eventually, I aspire to be a program assistant at CATALYST Academy, where I participated in the summer program. It would be a full-circle moment.”
When I asked why engineering? He sternly said, It’s a personal endeavor.
Though his family is filled with healthcare workers—especially nurses—Windel wanted something different. Inspired by the creativity of games like Minecraft and Roblox, he found his niche in biomedical engineering, blending innovation with compassion.
“I’ve seen how much my parents care for their patients. I want to help people too, just in my own way.”
Still, Windel has no plans to leave Bloomfield behind. “I’ve been here all my life. I want to come back one day and give back, maybe introduce more biomedical engineering programs in our schools so students can explore careers early.”
He’s already thinking like a mentor. His advice for incoming students is simple: “Always try your hardest to beat your hardest. Don’t get caught up in labels or pressure. Everyone’s figuring it out in high school, and that’s okay.”
His teachers will likely remember him as composed and focused, but Windel admits, with a smile, that there’s more to him than meets the eye.
“Outside of class, I’m very loud and energetic. I think that balance is something I’m proud of.”
He’s also proud of his teachers and his family. Windel gives special thanks to Mr. DiDomenico, his physics teacher, for his warmth and energy during a tough year.
And to his mom, dad, and sisters—his constant support system. “I know I can call them whenever I’m in trouble or need a ride. They’ve always been there.”
This fall, the halls of Bloomfield High will feel a little quieter without the booming laugh.
But Windel Manalansan’s story isn’t ending—it’s just expanding, from Bloomfield to Ithaca, with purpose, joy, and a heart full of gratitude.
