The Board of Education, at its meeting on Tuesday, June 7, honored students in the Newtown High School Class of 2016 top five percent and retiring teaching staff.

"What a great honor and a privilege it is for me to share with the school board, the audience and the community the top five percent of the Class of 2016," said Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr.

The students individually shared with the school board their name, the elementary school they attended and the college they plan to attend in the fall.

Students were Julia Faxon, Lydia Field, Sinead Flanagan, Ashley Gong, Brendan Gregory, Gemma Hyeon, Matthew Ingwersen, Amanda Kahn, Sophie Kennen, Abigail Kohler, Josefina Mendez, Kelsey Miller, Alana Murray, Kelsey Nicholson, Eve Passman, Julia Preszler, Madeline Sieber, Marissa Thill, Edwin Weatherby, Class of 2016 salutatorian Sean MacMullan, and Class of 2016 valedictorian Caelan Ritter.

The students lined up and remained standing as the school board called up each retiree.

This year's retirees honored at the meeting were Barbara Beckerle, Judy Blanchard, Larry Chiucarello, Lynette Daria, Maura Drabik, Al Finelli, Carolyn Monahan, Judy Qualey, Donald Ramsey, James Roodhuyzen, Karen Sherman, Janet Vollmer and Kim Wallace.

According to the district, together the group of retirees represents 297 years of teaching in Newtown.

The school board also honored NHS Board of Education representatives Rilind Abazi and Kayla Disibio for their work as liaisons for the high school student population. Both students are members of the 2016 graduating class.