Top Students In The Class Of 2001 Are Ready To Move On

By Tanjua Damon

Newtown High School seniors are about to embark on another chapter in their lives. The class of 2001 will cross the stage on June 19, beginning the journey to adulthood by going to college, starting a job, or enlisting in the military. Over 300 students will take the leap June 19. This year 11 students have earned the top ten honors in the class, two tied for ninth place.

The top seniors include: valedictorian Kathy Deng, salutatorian Stephen Ambrogio, Peter Yemc, Ryan Ignatius, Zachary Miller, Sara Daniels, Sarah Letson, John Fiscella, Tracy Ravetto, Andrew Portnoy, and Matthew Sullivan.

Valedictorian – Kathy Deng

Valedictorian Kathy Deng will be attending Cornell University in the fall. The top senior plans to study biology. Being the valedictorian has been a goal of Kathy’s since she entered high school, but the senior admits time has gone by too quickly.

“[I’m] relieved,” she said. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted. My parents want what’s best for me and this is the best.”

Kathy’s mother, Yanmin, has been one of the most influential people in her life because she allowed her to find her way.

“She lets me makes mistakes so I can learn from them,” Kathy said.

Most would say stress is not a good thing, but Kathy thinks it is healthy and something she would like to pass on to upcoming seniors.

“Stress is healthy. I wouldn’t be able to work if there wasn’t any stress,” she said. “If you’re not nervous, you don’t care and you’re not going to do as well.”

Her motto – “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss,” lends itself to her dedication and hard work.

Her friends Sarah Letson, Michelle Black, and Heather Gibbons have taught her many things that Kathy will take with her as she heads into the future.

“Sarah has taught me not to be afraid of things that people are generally afraid of like things for yourself and controversial things,” Kathy said. “Michelle has taught me it’s okay to have fun. Heather has taught me it’s okay to do what you have to do and it doesn’t matter what other people think.”

This year’s valedictorian admits that she followed what teachers wanted her to learn and that is one of the reasons she made it to the top.

“Doing what teachers expect you to do,” Kathy said. “I probably didn’t learn as much as others did because they went out and did their own thing, but I learned what teachers wanted me to learn.”

Kathy hopes to be a research biologist at the Center for Disease Control after college. One of her favorite quotes is an observation by Einstein, “A storm broke loose in my mind.”

Salutatorian – Stephen Ambrogio

Stephen Ambrogio will be attending the University of Connecticut at Storrs in the fall, where he plans to study computer science and engineering. He would like to be a software designer and eventually become a psychologist or teacher someday.

Stephen credits hard work, dedication, and perseverance for his achievement at Newtown High School. During his speech he plans to reflect on the high school years and remember the two classmates, Jon Ullo and Greg Chion, who lost their lives this year.

Mr Dilzer was one teacher who Stephen will remember.

“He had a sense of humor and he treated us like adults,” he said. “He let us design our own projects and topics.”

Stephen advises upcoming seniors to “hold your breath and take the plunge.”

His motto is to keep your head in the future, your heart in the past, and your feet in the present.

One of his favorite quotes is by Steven Wright: “I plan to live forever. So far, so good.”

If he could change something about the high school, Stephen would change the “busywork” teachers assign.

“Take out all the extra busywork,” Stephen said. “It soaks up your time and prevents you from doing the important things.”

Peter Yemc, Third

Peter will be attending Georgetown University, where he will be studying international affairs. He plans to join the foreign service after college. His most memorable moment is his first Christmas because he can remember it. His favorite quote is by Ralph Wiggum: “My cat’s breath smells like cat food.” Advice to upcoming seniors is “don’t work too hard.”

 

Ryan Ignatius, Fourth

Ryan will be attending the University of Vermont, where he will study environmental science. His most memorable moment is his first backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail with his cousins. Advice to seniors, “live each day to its fullest and take some time to smell the roses.” Ryan likes the quote by Henry David Thoreau, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

Zachary Miller, Fifth

Zachary will be attending Cornell University in the fall, where he will study engineering and computer science. He plans to attend business school after he receives his undergraduate degree and possibly do something with the stock market. His most memorable moment is winning the SWC singles tennis title during his senior year. Mrs Sherman was one teacher who influenced Zachary because of her teaching style, which helped him learn a lot without having to do a lot of work outside of school.

Sara Daniels, Sixth

Sara will be attending Skidmore College in the fall, where she will study English. She plans to be a writer and go to graduate school. Her motto is, “That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Sara’s advice to upcoming seniors is to “find out who you are and be true to that.” Her most memorable moment was the birth of her baby brother on November 3, 2000. Sara’s favorite teacher was Lorrie Arsenian “because she always believes in me.”

Sarah Letson, Seventh

Sarah will be heading to Germany to be an AFS Congress-Bundestag Ambassador. When she returns she will attend the University of Chicago to study biochemistry or biology. After college she would like to join the Peace Corps to discover new truths about biology. Her advice to seniors, “Enjoy your senior year! Have fun, grow, experience life at its fullest, but don’t lose sight of your ideals.” Her favorite quote is by Oliver Wendell Holmes: “One man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimension.”

John Fiscella, Eighth

John will head off to Brown University in the fall to study economics or engineering. After college he plans to attend graduate school, travel, and possibly get a job. His most memorable moment is being able to play basketball with his brother Andrew, who is a freshman. John’s advice to upcoming seniors is “Find your passion and follow it. Take advantage of all the opportunities college has to offer.” The most influential people were his parents because, he said, they have always been there for him.

Tracy Ravetto, Ninth

Tracy will go to Boston College to study business and finance. She plans to get a job after college and go to graduate school. Her motto is “no excuses.” She offers this advice to future seniors: “Enjoy senior year; try not to get too stressed out with college and thinking about the future.” Her favorite quote is, “The best thing we can do in life is be true to ourselves.”

Andrew Portnoy, Ninth

Andrew will go to Duke University in the fall to study electrical engineering and computer science. He plans to attend graduate school, find a job, or start a company. His motto is “It’s not about the mistakes, it’s about the corrections.” Andrew offers this advice to upcoming seniors: “Do your college applications in the summer. This is an easy way to make your fall less stressful.” His favorite quote is by Buzz Lightyear: “To infinity and beyond.” Andrew’s most memorable moment is being a drum major during the marching band season.

Matthew Sullivan, Tenth

Matthew will go to the University of Notre Dame this fall to study chemical engineering. Plans after college are to possibly go to graduate school to study biomedical engineering or get a job. His motto is “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” His most memorable moment was retiring his notebooks after the first semester of senior year. Matthew’s advice to future seniors is “Don’t take yourselves, or anyone else, for that matter, too seriously.” His favorite quote is by Ralph Wiggum: “This is my sandbox. I’m not supposed to go in the deep end.”

The class of 2001 will graduate Tuesday, June 19, at Newtown High School at 5 pm.