Newtown High School’s top demi-decile students of the 2019 graduating class were honored and surprised at the school on May 10.

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue and NHS Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco shared the news with the students after the group had been called to gather near the school’s main lobby. Dr Rodrigue announced the reason they were gathered together, and students smiled and laughed as gathered NHS staff clapped.

“Congratulations... You should be so proud of yourselves,” said Dr Rodrigue, once the news was shared.

All of the students were invited to attend a scheduled June 4 Board of Education meeting so the school board can further celebrate the group’s accomplishments.

Bryan Ingwersen and Hailey Pankow were announced as the class’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Along with Bryan and Hailey, the top students were announced as Michael Arena, Audrey Benson, Ryan Brown, Gabrielle Calbo, Stephanie Cobb, Francesca D’Aprile, Claire Dubois, Matthew Dubois, Sarah Grant, Justin Kahn, Allyson Kenny, Fallyn Kirlin, Jake Kneski, Brianna Linden, Ben Nowacki, Caroline Reichmann, Nina Francesca Soriano, and Kiera Sughrue, in alphabetical order.