June 11, 2002
York, Maine
York High School Top 15 Graduates
Valedictorian
Zachary Kilgore, son of Kent and Lucy Kilgore, was very active during his time at York High School. He was a member of the Western Maine Champion Football and Track teams, and was a member of the State Champion Golf Team, along with earning varsity letters in basketball and tennis. Zachary participated in the Student Listener Program and was a member of York's National Honor Society. He loves music as well, playing the bass and guitar as much as he can. He has received numerous awards in all areas, including the Williams College Book Award and the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Award for Science his junior year. Zachary will attend Duke University next year where he will pursue computer engineering.
Salutatorian
Sara Miller is the daughter of Paul and Marie Miller and the sister of Patrick and Leah. She was a dedicated student listener to an elementary schoolgirl for two years. An active participant in York High School's foreign language department, she participated in the German in the Woods immersion program as well as tutoring Village Elementary School children in German. Sara was a member of the National Honor Society for two years and AFS for four years, serving as the senior committee member this past year. She was also a senior facilitator.
A three-time recipient of the German Award, Sara also earned academic honors in history, English, and art. This fall she will study International Business and Political Economy within the Honors College at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Therese Corsello daughter of Carl and Maryann Corsello of York and sister to Joseph Corsello, has excelled in academics, athletics, the arts, and service during her four years at York High School.
She was a member of the National Honor Society during her junior and senior years, received the Excellence in English award her freshman year, and was nominated for Who's Who Among American High School Students. Therese also played softball and lacrosse, in addition to earning four varsity letters in field hockey. She has been a member of the United States Field Hockey Association's Futures program since the eighth grade and participated in the Seacoast United Field Hockey Club for two years, playing in the National Field Hockey Tournament. Therese was also a two-time Western Maine Conference All-Star, two-time York County Coast Star field hockey All-Star, Portland Press Herald Player-to-Watch, and captain of the York field hockey team in her senior year. She was recruited to play field hockey at Division I, II, and III colleges.
Therese will attend Tufts University in the fall, where she will major in liberal arts, minor in dance, and play for the Tufts' field hockey team.
Christie DeRoche daughter of John and Jean DeRoche and sister to Scott DeRoche, all of York, was active during her four years at York High School. Playing the flute and piano, she participated in concert band, Christmas band, and jazz band performances. Christie is an active member of the National Honor Society and has tutored math in the high school and middle school. She was also a student listener at the Village Elementary School and a senior facilitator at the high school. Because of a nomination through the faculty of YHS, Christie attended the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. the fall of her junior year. Christie earned many awards at the high school in subjects such as Independent Art, Band, English, Algebra II, Art I, freshman English, Spanish, and Western Civilization. She also maintained honor roll status all four years of high school. Christie is excited to attend Nazareth College next year to pursue a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders under a full scholarship.
Katherine Gilroy is the daughter of James and Karen Gilroy of York, and sister of J. Andrew. Katharine played varsity field hockey for four years at York. As a senior she was a tri-captain, received the Coach's Award, was named a Western Maine All-Star, and was selected for Maine's All-State and All-Academic field hockey teams. Katharine participated in varsity outdoor track for four years (a captain her senior year), and indoor track for one year. She was the tuba player in the band throughout high school and served as band secretary for three years. Katharine was a member of the Civil Rights Team at York High School, as well as a student listener and D.A.R.E. role model for younger children. She was a two-year member of the National Honor Society and was elected secretary her senior year. Katharine received the Wellesley College Book Award, the Society of Women Engineers Award, and the Maine Scholars Achievement Award. In addition, she earned academic awards in chemistry and English, and she was the first York High School student to score on the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. Outside of school, she also took jazz dance classes for the past two years. She is an active member of St. George's Youth Group. Next fall, Katharine will continue her education at Colby College.
Emily Jendzejec, daughter of Stephen and Mary Ellen Jendzejec, served on Student Council for three years and was president her senior year. She was the Student Advisory Member on the School Committee of the Town of York her senior year. Emily was also president of the York High School AFS Club, a member of the National Honor Society, and a participant in YORKWISE, as well as a charter member of the Interact Club. She served as a senior facilitator, and during her junior and senior year she volunteered her time mentoring through the Student Listener Program at Village Elementary School. In November 2000, Emily attended the National Young Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. She was a four-year member of the varsity field hockey team and also played varsity softball and ran indoor track. She was an active member in the YHS band, serving as Head Librarian and being 1st clarinet in Marching, Concert and Pep Band. Outside of school she was active in St. Christopher's Youth Ministry. With her youth group she rebuilt homes on a mission trip to Kentucky last summer and is going on another this coming summer to Ticonderoga, NY. Emily will continue her education at Boston College in the fall.
Jaclyn S. Johnson, daughter of Harland and Christine Johnson, was an active member of the Class of 2002. Throughout all four years at York, Jaci was an outstanding scholar earning honors and high honors distinction. She received academic awards in French, AP Calculus, Pre-Calculus, and English and was recently announced as the 2002 York High School Principal's Outstanding Student. In athletics, Jaci participated in cross country, basketball and softball all four years, co-captaining each sport during her senior year. She was a top runner and Joan Benoit Award winner on the 2001 Western Maine championship team and the 2002 second place state championship team. In basketball, she was a major contributor on the undefeated 2001 Western Maine Class B finalist team and the semifinalist teams of 2000 and 2002. Jaci was also an active class member, involved in peer counseling, leading fundraising activities and participating in the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she volunteered time as a student tutor, coached and refereed in youth sports programs, and participated on AAU teams. In September, Jaci will attend Bentley College on an academic scholarship in the Honors Program, studying Business Administration.
Whitney LeConte, daughter of Kevin and Jerri LeConte of York, participated in many activities during her time at York High School. Whitney played field hockey for four years and was captain her senior year; she played softball for three years but ran indoor and outdoor track her senior year. An editor for the school newspaper, The Ivory Tower, Whitney was a two-year member of the National Honor Society, a student listener, a D.A.R.E. role model, a senior facilitator, and a member of the Interact and AFS clubs. Whitney was also a member of the Color Guard and played in the pep band. She was an active member in the First Parish Church youth group and went on four mission trips around the country. Whitney earned Excellence in English and German awards while at York. Whitney will attend Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.
Andrew Pasquale Masella, son of Glenn and Linda Masella, has distinguished his four years at York High School with achievements in academics, leadership, athletics, and community service. During each quarter of his high school years he attained High Honors. His academic achievement earned him membership in the National Honor Society. Also, he was designated a State of Maine Scholar by the University of Maine. He also received subject awards in English, Art, Basic Adventure, and Introduction to Computers. Andy's leadership roles included service as president of the National Honor Society and vice president of his class all four years. Also, he served as a member of the York High School Crisis Intervention Team and was a senior facilitator and student listener at the local elementary schools. The Class of 2001 selected him as their graduation class marshal. His leadership extended into athletics as well, where he served as captain of both the soccer and baseball teams. Having played these sports for four years, he received varsity letters and a letter jacket. He athletic awards include the Coach's Award and Most Valuable Player Award for soccer and the Coach's Award and Hard Ball Award for baseball. Andy received recognition as a Wendy's Heisman Award Winner at the state finalist level for academic and athletic achievement and his community service. He was also selected as a Western Maine Conference Good Citizen Award winner. Andy's commitment to community service included Tidalwaves activities, Interact activities, Community Day of Caring participation, York Historical Society strategic planning focus group membership, and the First Parish Youth Group. As a member of the First Parish Youth Group his activities included a ten-day mission trip to Kentucky to repair homes of needy residents and he plans to participate in another mission trip this summer. In the fall, Andy will attend the University of Maine School of Engineering.
Meighan Roose, daughter of Bob and Allyson Roose, entered York High School during the fall of her senior year. Throughout her four years of high school, Meighan played field hockey, basketball through her sophomore year, and track during her senior year. Her extracurricular activities include playing on the Seacoast United Elite Field Hockey Team and competitive powerlifting, holding national records and two Junior Olympic gold medals. Meighan was named to the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society her junior year and to National Spanish Honor Society her sophomore year. She was written up in the Who's Who Among American High School Students. Meighan's leadership roles have included sophomore class vice president and nominated representative to the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference in Maryland. During the summer, Meighan volunteered in the Pets on Wheels program and at Cedarcrest, a home for disabled children. Next fall, Meighan will attend and play field hockey for Johns Hopkins University.
Jennifer Scotland, daughter of Craig and Linda Scotland of Cape Neddick, was an active member of the Class of 2002. She was a four-year varsity field hockey player and captain of the lacrosse team. Jenn plays tenor sax for the stage, marching, and pep bands, bass clarinet for the concert band, and B clarinet for Christmas band and the spring musical. She was also the band treasurer for two years. She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society, participates in the student listener and senior facilitator programs, student council, and Interact. In her junior year, she attended the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Jenn was lucky enough to have traveled all over the world, and after returning from Europe this summer, she will attend Colby College and play field hockey.
Amanda Sedgewick is the daughter of Jim and Susan Sedgewick, and sister to Allison and Lindsay, all of York. During her four years of high school, Amanda maintained the status of an honors student. She was involved in many activities at York High School. She was on the varsity soccer team for four years, a captain in her senior year, and also participated in both winter and spring track. Amanda was a member of the drug and alcohol awareness group, YORKWISE, and also served as secretary for two years. She very much enjoyed her participation in Chamber Singers, having the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in June. She was a cast member for two musical productions and was also the founder of a political involvement group this year. Amanda will attend Boston University, College of Engineering, to study Biomedical Engineering in the fall.
Briana St. John is the daughter of Karan and Jerry Bracy of Cape Neddick and Jim and Donita St. John of South Paris. She is the sister of Courtney and Amanda. Briana has been an active member of the Civil Rights Team and AFS since her freshman year. In previous years she was also a member of the math team and the yearbook staff. She was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. In the fall of 2001, she attended a German language immersion program called German in the Woods. Outside of school, Briana recently began to study ballet, an activity with which she expects to continue. In addition to working part-time throughout the last two school years, Briana enjoyed volunteering her free time as a student listener, a senior facilitator, and a math tutor. Her PSAT scores recently earned her recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar. During her years at YHS she received the German Award three times and the English Award twice. Briana will attend Smith College in the fall, where she intends to pursue a degree in a social science while continuing her study of German.
Diana L. Sweet is the daughter of Patrice and Donald Sweet. Throughout her career at York High School, Diana found two passions: music and languages. Musically, Diana participated in the Southern Maine Music Festival for the past three years. This year she became the first YHS student to perform in the Southern Maine Jazz Band. During her junior and senior years, she played in the Maine All-State Concert Band on the baritone saxophone. This year she was awarded first chair. She was involved with two musicals and all the musical ensembles offered at the high school for the past four years. As a sophomore, Diana was elected band president for two years. She also participated in the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble and the All New England Band Festival. Other than music, Diana was involved in soccer, lacrosse (varsity captain), student council (treasurer), and National Honor Society. She participated as a DARE role model and volunteered in the high school and middle school as a French, math, and music tutor. In August, Diana will leave for an 11-month adventure to Taipei, Taiwan on a Rotary International exchange. Upon her return to the U.S., she will attend Connecticut College, studying Mandarin Chinese and International Relations.
Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Stewart and JoAnn Turner, and sister to Sarah Turner, participated in many activities during her time at York High School. Elizabeth was involved in AFS, where she served as secretary, and the York chapter of Interact for the last two years. She served as a math tutor at both the elementary and high school levels, and was a senior facilitator for the incoming freshman class. Elizabeth was a devoted member of the varsity outdoor track team for four years and the varsity cross-country and indoor track teams for three years. She served as captain for each of these sports in her senior year. Elizabeth helped lead the teams through successful seasons and received the MVP, Joan Benoit, Prefontaine, and Most Improved awards. An avid distance runner, she hopes to continue her athletic career this fall. She is an active member of the First Parish Church and is a Senior Leader for the Senior High Youth Group. Elizabeth also volunteered at the local soup kitchen and worked with Habitat for Humanity. She participated in the summer mission trip program for the last four years, ranging from Cherokee, N.C., to Rumford, Maine. This fall, Elizabeth is very excited to attend Colby College, where she will focus on the health sciences and pre-medical studies.
