Meet the Academic Top 10 for the Class of 2019
Carolyn Burnell is Valedictorian for the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Carolyn is a member of Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Indoor Track, Varsity Outdoor Track, National Honor Society, Student Council and SADD at school. Outside of school she participates in marathons/RAGNAR’s, tennis, skiing & bicycling. She is a 2018 recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Merit Award, the Leadership Award from Clarkson University, and the HOBY Leadership Award. In the athletic arena she has been honored as WASAREN Player of the Week, NYSPHSAA Section 2 Sportsmanship Award and named a WASAREN League All-Star. Carolyn is planning on majoring in either Biomedical or Computer Engineering. Her college of choice is SUNY Binghamton, but has been accepted at Clarkson University, Hofstra University, UNC Wilmington and URI. No matter which campus she decides on, she wants to continue to run on the cross country and track teams at the collegiate level. Carolyn is the daughter of James and Charla Burnell of Melrose, New York.
Maria Rice is the Salutatorian for the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr High School. Maria is a member of Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Indoor Track, Varsity Outdoor Track, National Honor Society, Student Council, Foreign Language Club, Photography Club, SADD, Yearbook, Band, Chorus, Drama Club, and an 11 year member of a Hoosic Valley Odyssey of the Mind team that has attended State Competition twice. Outside of school, Maria is an active member of the Transfiguration Parish participating in the youth choir and retreat team. Maria has been accepted to the College of Saint Rose, awarded the Saint Rose Presidential Scholarship and will study education with plans on becoming a history teacher. Maria is the daughter of Scott & Margaret Rice of Schaghticoke, New York.
Braden Jarosz is ranked third in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Braden is a member of Hoosic Valley Drama Club, Band & Chorus, represented Hoosic Valley at All-Eastern 2017 and All-State 2018. He performed at Schenectady Light Opera Co in the production of Grease and WRGB Melodies of Christmas at Proctors Theatre 2017 & 2018. As a senior Braden is attending the QUESTAR III New Vision’s Visual & Performing Arts Program. After graduation Braden will attend the Word of Life Bible Institute for a year. Following that Braden will be attending Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam majoring in vocal performance and musical studies in piano. After college Braden plans to make a career in opera, conducting and vocal coaching. Braden is the son of Patrick & Marilyn Jarosz of Schaghticoke, New York.
Katya Cyrulik is ranked fourth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. As a senior Katya is attending the QUESTAR III New Vision’s Visual & Performing Arts Program. She attended the New York Summer School of the Arts the summer of 2018. Twice she has exhibited in the QUESTAR III Hudson Valley Art Exhibit - in 2017 she received an honorable mention and in 2018 a first place. Katya hs been accepted and will be attending Rowan University in New Jersey. She was awarded Rowan University Scholars Award and Rowan University Brown & Gold Ambassador Scholarship. She will be majoring in Biomedical Art leading to a career in medical illustration. Katya is the daughter of Waldek & Kristen Cyrulik of Schaghticoke, New York.
Taylor Hansen is ranked fifth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Taylor is a member of the Hoosic Valley Varsity Soccer team, National Honor Society, and is participating in U-Albany Science Research studying “The Economics of Solar Panels.” Outside of school she is a member of 4-H, was Club President from 2014 -2018 and member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Team. This is a competitive team that placed second at Regionals and is moving onto Zones. She is a 2018 recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Merit Award and the 2018 Rensselaer Medal recipient. Taylor will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Biomedical Engineering. After that she is planning on attending Medical School and becoming an Anesthesiologist. Taylor is the daughter of George & Melinda Hansen of Schaghticoke.
Christopher Hallam is ranked sixth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Christopher is a member of the Hoosic Valley Varsity Soccer and Track teams, National Honor Society and Class of 2019 Treasurer. He was chosen to represent Hoosic Valley at Boys’ State in the summer of 2018. As a junior Christopher was awarded the Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation and Creativity Award. After graduation in an effort to become a Commercial Pilot, Christopher has committed to the Air National Guard and will be attending Schenectady County Community College in the Aviation Science Program to become a licensed pilot. From there he would will be looking to pursue his Bachelor's Degree at another SUNY School. Christopher is the son of William & Lorri Hallam of Schaghticoke, New York.
Jessica Espey is ranked seventh in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Jessica is a member of the Hoosic Valley Varsity Basketball, Varsity Soccer, Yearbook Committee, National Honor Society, Student Council and Odyssey of the Minds for nine years. She was recognized as a Second Team All-Star for Soccer. Her senior year she is attending the QUESTAR III New Visions Medical Program. Jessica plans on pursuing a Pre-Physicians Assistant track possibly at Albany College of Pharmacy majoring in Public Health. She has been accepted at Albany Medical College for Physicians Assistant Program upon completion of the prerequisites. Jessica is the daughter of Donald, Jr. & Judith Espey of Schaghticoke, New York.
Daniel Toth is ranked eighth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Daniel is a member of the Hoosic Valley Varsity Cross Country Team, Varsity Indoor Track, Varsity Outdoor Track and Drama Club. As a senior he is attending the QUESTAR III New Visions Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Program located on the RPI Campus. Outside of school he works part-time as a cashier at Price Chopper. As a Junior Daniel was the recipient of 2018 Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award. Daniel has committed to the Air Force ROTC program but is undecided as to which university he will be attending. He has been accepted to Clarkson and Purdue, but is waiting for decisions from several other colleges. Daniels career track is United States Air Force Space Operations Officer. Daniel is the son of Daniel A. & Karen Toth of Melrose, New York.
Renée Serafin is ranked ninth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Renée is a member of the Hoosic Valley National Honor Society, Student Council and Odyssey of the Minds. She ia a scholar athlete and League All Star in Soccer, Basketball and Track. Renée was the Wasaren League Pentathlon Champion, Captain of the Varsity Basketball team and recipient of the Hoosic Valley Basketball Scholar Athlete Award. Renée has received numerous scholarships including Russell Sage College Student Award, the Russell Sage College Trustee Excellence Scholarship, the Hartwick Founders Award and the Hartwick Judge Cooper Scholarship. Renée plans to attend either Hartwick College or Russell Sage College for Bachelor’s in Nursing and then pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner. Renée is the daughter of David & Monique Serafin of Schaghticoke, New York
Marlee Peterson is ranked tenth in the Class of 2019 at Hoosic Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Marlee is a member of the Hoosic Valley Varsity Volleyball team, Odyssey of the Mind, National Honor Society, Student Council and Drama Club. She has been awarded the DAR Good Citizen Award and the Shields Merit Scholarship from Stonehill College. Marlee plans on attending Stonehill College for her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and continue onto graduate school to obtain a degree in Gene Therapy. Marlee is the daughter of Richard & Nicole Peterson of Johnsonville, New York.
Originally Posted 2/16/2019: Hoosic Valley is very of proud to announce the Academic top ten for the Class of 2019:
- Carrie Burnell
- Maria Rice
- Braden Jarosz
- Katya Cyrulik
- Taylor Hansen
- Chris Hallam
- Jessica Espey
- Danny Toth
- Renee Serafin
- Marlee Peterson
Congratulations students, you have worked hard for this accomplishment. We wish you the best as you move on to the college campuses across the northeast.
