High School Top 10 honored at virtual awards ceremony

EAST HAMPTON — Members of the East Hampton High School class of 2020 were feted in a virtual awards celebration this week, noted for their achievements across a variety of disciplines.

“Recognizing academic excellence” should be a priority in the community, Superintendent of Schools Paul K. Smith said in introducing the Top 10 students during this week’s program.

Smith and Principal Eric Verner held a ceremony, but because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, none of the students was present.

But each was given an opportunity — by means of prerecorded segments — to thank a teacher (or teachers) of their choice who helped mentor them during their time in school.

Two things immediately stood out about the students: all 10 of them are young women, and all were involved in an array of activities during their time at EHHS. Seven are National Honor Society members.

Verner introduced the scholars and read their profiles and accomplishments. ⏩ Lena Bosco, daughter of Paula and Robert Bosco, is “passionate” about the arts. She was a member of the Drama Club, the jazz band and Voices, and served on the Student Council.

Bosco has been admitted to the nursing program at the University of Connecticut and intends to become a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner.

She thanked band leader Andrew Groves.

⏩ Ailie Daley, daughter of Alison Moriarty Daley and Kevin Daley, won recognition for her interest in American history.

She has spent 16 years as a dancer and participated in Irish dancing competitions on two continents. Daley has been accepted in the Thomas More Honors Program at Sacred Heart University, where she intends to pursue training to become a nurse practitioner.

Daley thanked social studies teacher Geoff Lucas and English teacher Crista Flannery.

⏩ London Brazal, daughter of Jodi and Dwight Brazal, was involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including the Drama Club, varsity tennis and Special Olympics.

President of the class of 2020, Brazal works with the Prevention Partnership to reduce substance abuse among young people. She will attend Marist College where she will major in communications and public relations.

She thanked the school nurse, Beth Kelpen.

⏩ Emily Balda, daughter of Melissa and Michael Balda, had dedicated her four years at the high school to working with and assisting people with disabilities.

She was also honored with an award for her “strong performance and aptitude in the sciences.” She was a member of the Interact Club, captain of a Relay for Life team, and a varsity soccer player for four years.

Balda has been accepted to Seton Hall University, where she intends to study biology through the Physicians’ Assistant program.

She thanked special education teacher Jackie Russell for her support and guidance.

⏩ Elizabeth Link, daughter of Cynthia and Christopher Link, has her feet firmly planted on the ground even while her mind is on the stars. She is “a standout across disciplines,” in particular science and math. Her senior capstone project involved studying small rockets.

She is a member of the Rock Climbing Club, Environmental Club, Student Council and Ultimate Frisbee Club.

Link will attend Embry Liddle Aeronautical University, where she was accepted into the honors program and will study aerospace engineering.

Link thanked retired tech education teacher Jim Angelo for the impact he had on her life.

⏩ Vanessa Naughton, daughter of Olga Gerik and Bill Naughton Jr., is a dancer and musician in addition to her academic achievements.

She has been a dancer for more than 15 years, and performs ballet, modern jazz and tap, and plays the flute for the concert band and saxophone for the jazz band. Naughton served as a class officer, a member of the Interact Club and Spanish Club, and was editor of the school newspaper.

Naughton will attend Northeastern University in the fall, where she will study psychology.

She thanked social studies teacher Geoff Lucas for his help.

⏩ Rachel Gardiner, daughter of Pamela and Kyle Gardiner, was recognized in her junior year with an award for proficiency in math and science.

She was a member of the Spanish Club, Interact Club, Business Club and Ski Club, played four years of variety soccer and three years of softball.

Gardiner will attend Boston University, where she intends to study mechanical engineering.

Gardiner extended her thanks to volleyball coach Molly Grabowski.

⏩ Emilia Winquist, daughter of Irene Kuck and Stuart Winquist, won an award as a junior for her excellence in the sciences and the arts.

She has been described as “an exceptional talent,” and that is certainly true of her proficiency with musical instruments. Winquist plays five of them, including the upright and electric bass in the jazz band and the flute and bassoon in the concert band.

A member (and officer) of the French Club, Winquist also speaks fluent German. She has enrolled at the University of Vermont, where she plans to major in mathematics.

Winquist played her thanks to band leader Andrew Groves with a guitar solo.

⏩ Rylee Thomas, daughter of Jennifer and Greg Thomas, is the class salutatorian, celebrated for her “keen intellect and academic excellence.”

She is also a gold medal-winning figure skater who began her career at age 6, and a musician of note, who plays clarinet and sings in the Voices a capella group.

She is going to the University of Connecticut, where she plans to pursue a double major in English and physiology and neurobiology.

⏩ Maggie Donohue, daughter of Dawn and Trent Donohue, is class valedictorian and was noted for her “exceptional involvement in the Bellringer community.”

She played varsity soccer and basketball and ran track. Donohue was class president in her freshman year, and was involved in the Interact Club, Relay for Life and Special Olympics.

She works in the Hope Church Nursery and will attend Springfield College in an accelerated six-year physical therapy program.

jmill@middletownpress.com