UMaine Machias names 2024 valedictorian, salutatorian

MACHIAS, Maine – Bayleigh Alley of Jonesport, Maine and Gabriel Rocca of New Milford, Connecticut are the 2024 University of Maine at Machias valedictorian and salutatorian.

Alley is an education major concentrating in elementary education with a minor in social studies. Currently the first grade teacher at Milbridge Elementary School, Alley also works with the Maine Sea Coast Mission in their EdGE program. She is also a member of the Washington County Educator Alliance, a group whose focus is to support new and prospective teachers in Washington County. Alley will continue her education at the University of Maine by pursuing a master’s degree in literacy education.  

Rocca, an integrative biology major with a minor in botany, completed a senior research project this year during which he worked on procedures to culture wild myxomycetes (slime molds) on agar, a gelatin-like substance derived from red seaweed.

As an active campus resident, Rocca assisted in student intramurals and was a member of the  Residence Hall Association, Tabletop Gaming Club, Student Health Initiative Education & Leadership and Student Senate officer of financial affairs. Rocca plans to attend graduate school where he will study mycology.