Riding a bus back to school with her softball teammates after a game, Jennifer Gray grabbed her coach’s laptop computer so she could finish an English paper that was due.

It was an example of Gray’s commitment to her school work. The young Pelham woman’s dedication to doing well in school was a key factor in becoming the top student in her class.

When the members of the Pelham High School Class of 2008 receive their diplomas on Friday, June 13, Gray will be recognized as valedictorian. Not that she cares for being in the spotlight.

“I don’t really put much on it,” she said of graduating first in her class. “I just do what I have to do for my grades, what I want for me. If I get low grades, it really ticks me off, so I just try my hardest. I wasn’t really thinking of getting No. 1.”

This fall, she enter Boston University, where she’ll study biology and possibly enroll in the premed program.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the science field and the human body,” said Gray, 18, who enjoyed studying anatomy and physiology. “I want to be a pediatrician, I believe, because I love working with little kids. Why not do something where I can mix all my likes together?”

Gray, who credits determination for her academic success – she’s stayed up until 3 a.m. working on school projects – never earned a grade lower than an A-minus on her high school report cards.

She played varsity softball and soccer, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, was active in Peer Outreach, served on the community service committee and was a member of Future Business Leaders of America.

Although she’s moving on to college, Gray is sad about leaving Pelham. She’s been at the school “24/7,” she joked – competing in sports, participating in after-school activities and working as a computer technician for the school district’s technology director.

She’s at the school so often, she said, that science teacher Bob Moore jokes she should keep a sleeping bag in the chemistry lab.

“I’m going to miss everybody,” Gray said.

While Gray takes up biology, David Irwin, 17, the class salutatorian, will study aeronautical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The No. 2 senior took honors-level and Advanced Placement science courses during his high school career.

“I’ve always loved science and always been good with it and also with math,” Irwin said. “I figured you put the two together and get engineering, and I’ve always had an interest for planes.”

Irwin, who said that he and his parents have high standards for him, admits that school work has been easier for him than for some other students and that he hasn’t had to study much.

He has participated in spring track and cross country, is a member of the National Honor Society, and served on the community service committee.

While going to school, David Pereira’s parents pushed him to earn good grades. And he was also inspired by his sister, Rachel, who worked hard and graduated second in her class two years ago.

“She was a great role model for me,” said Pereira, 17, who, like Irwin, never received a grade lower than a B-plus on a PHS report card. He will graduate as Class Essayist, the third-highest- ranking student.

Pereira, who serves as class vice president, is a member of the National and Spanish honor societies, served in FBLA and on the community service committee, and competed in golf, track and tennis.

He’s going to Bentley College in Waltham, Mass. He’s not sure what he wants to do in business but will probably do something related to arts and the media.

Like Gray and Irwin, Pereira will deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. But graduating feels a bit surreal, he said.

“It hasn’t even hit me yet we’re graduating after four years of dedication,” said Pereira. “We haven’t gotten our diplomas yet. I’m sure when (my diploma) is in my hand, I’ll be like, ‘Wow, it’s over.’ I’m really excited to go to Bentley and see what else is in store for us at our next level of education.”