June 5, 2002
Dover, New Hampshire
St. Thomas Aquinas High School announces top 11 students for Class of 2002
Jeffrey A. Quinn, the principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School of Dover, has announced the top 11 students for the Class of 2002 as of the end of the third quarter. St. Thomas is proud to have two Class Valedictorians this year due to a tie. This honor goes to Sean Pearl of Dover and Nathaniel Wackman of Eliot, Maine.
The top 11 students from the Class of 2002 are listed in alphabetical order:
Colette Bazylinski the daughter of Paul and Norma Bazylinski of South Berwick, Maine, is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society, and is a Wellesley College Book Award recipient. Involved in school activities, she is a member of the STA chapter of Amnesty International, the yearbook staff, the school band, and was a member of the field hockey team for three years. She has participated in the St. Anne's Nursing Home visitation program. Accepted at Rutgers University, Fordham University, St. John's University, and Boston University, she will attend St. John's Unviersity, where she has received a full four-year Presidential Scholarship. She will be pursuing her interest in film studies, writing and literature.
Michael Campbell the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Campbell of Dover, is a National Merit Commended Student, a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. He is a recipient of departmental awards in French and physics and has received the Merrimack College Book Award and the ARTS Merit Award in writing. He placed second in the STA Junior Speech Contest. Active in the music and drama programs at school, he has participated in the drama club, the jazz band and the jazz choir. He was selected for the NH All-State Music Festival and the NH Chamber Music Festival. A prize winner in local poetry contests, he attended the New England Young Writer's Conference. He is editor-in-chief of the STA Literary Journal. Accepted at Bates College, Oberlin College, Boston University, University of Pittsburgh, University of New Hampshire, Wesleyan University, McGill University, and Hamilton College, he will attend Wesleyan University.
Elizabeth Collins the daughter of Kate and Kevin Collins of Dover, is a National Merit Commended Student, a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She is a recipient of the Holy Cross Book Award, and has received departmental awards in biology and algebra. She was the DAR Good Citizen Award recipient for St. Thomas. A member of the Student Advisory Board and SADD, she has won club awards in both organizations. She is currently serving as president of STA's SADD chapter. She is also active in the STA chapter of Amnesty International, campus ministry, and the drama club. She attended the St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program in German as well as the National Leadership Camp at the Maine Maritime Academy. Accepted at Georgetown University, George Washington University, College of the Holy Cross, Hofstra University, Loyola College, Tulane University, and Seton Hall University, she will attend the College of the Holy Cross.
Morgan Desmond the daughter of Dan and Martha Desmond of Hampton, is a finalist in the National Merit Program and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. She is a recipient of the AP US History Book Award. Involved in high school athletics, she is a member of the swim team, competing as a diver, and she is a member of the track and field team. She is a 2002 Women's Academic Athletic Award recipient. She is also a gynmast who has competed for the past eight years. Accepted at Ithaca College, Miami University, University of Hartford, and the University of British Columbia, she will attend Miami University in Ohio, where she will pursue a dual major in athletic training and exercise science. She would like to pursue a master's degree in physical therapy and work at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, with elite athletes elsewhere, or as a coach for young gymnasts.
Thomas Kelly the son of Michael and Paula Kelly of Newburyport, Mass., is a National Merit Commended Student and a member of the National Honor Society. He has received a departmental award in chemistry. Active in athletics, he has participated in football, track, and wrestling where he was chosen as Most Improved Player during the 2000-01 season. Accepted at Lehigh University, Clemson University, Merrimack College and University Massachusetts-Amherst, he will attend Clemson University, pursuing a career as a science teacher.
James Lajoie the son of Dan and Ellen Lajoie of Portsmouth, is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. He has received departmental awards in physical science, French and social justice. He is an active member of SADD, Key Club, yearbook, and theSenior Leadership Committee. He has participated in the St. Anne's Nursing Home visitation program. An STA basketball program volunteer, he has attended all varsity and junior varsity games throughout his four years of high school to help set up and keep the scorebook and clock. He has made the honor roll every term of his high school career. Accepted at Boston College, Syracuse University, and the University of New Hampshire, he willa ttend Boston College to pursue a career as a high school math or English teacher.
Jessica Lefoley the daughter of Thomas and Carol Lefoley of Dover, is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She has volunteered her time at St. Ann's Nursing Home and the Sun Bridge Care and Rehab Center in Wolfeboro. She has received departmental awards in algebra and piano, and was recognized for perfect attendance in freshman and junior years. She has been playing the piano for nine years and plans to continue with lessons and recitals in college. She is a recipient of the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship. Accepted at Northeastern University and St. Michael's Unviersity, she will attend Northeastern University as a biology major with a minor in French. She plans to spend a semester in France during college. She would like to pursue a career in the medical field.
Ryan Mills the son of Robert and Cynthia Mills of Dover, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. He has received a departmental award in social studies. He has participated in the drama club and the math team and served as a member of the STA chapter of Amnesty International. He assisted in the Mock Election 2000 Campaign. He has served the community as a Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer and a Special Olympics volunteer. Accepted at the University of Michigan, Pennsylvania State University, University of New Hampshire, Boston University, and Indiana University, he will attend the University of New Hampshire, where he has received a full Presidential Scholarship. He will pursue a career in business and finance/
Sean Pearl the son of Tim and Laura Pearl of Dover, is a Class Valedictorian. He is a National Merit Scholarship winner and a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. He is a recipient of the Unviersity of Notre Dame Book Award and the Rensselaer Medal for excellence in science and math. A captain of the football team, he was selected for the NH 1st Team All-State in football his junior and senior years and received the Joe Yukica Award presented by the NH Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He is also a captain of the lacrosse team and was selected for the NH 1st Team All-State in lacrosse his junior year. He has received the NH Athletic Directors Association Scholar Athlete Award. Offered full four-year ROTC scholarships from the Army, Navy and Air Force, he will participate in the Army ROTC program. Accepted at the University of Notre Dame, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Hobart College, he will attend the Unviersity of Notre Dame where he will major in engineering.
Brian J. Schneider the son of Steven and Lynn Schneider of Sanford, Maine, is a member of the National Honor Society. He has received departmental awards in social studies, physics and English. He is the recipient of the Harvard Book Award. Active in athletics, he has received the Outstanding Wrestler Award, the MVP Award for varsity track, the Coach's Award for soccer, and he is a NH Athlete Scholar Award recipient. He served two years as captain of the varsity track team and is proud of his current record of a 4 minute 41 second mile. A member of the STA Mock-Trial Team, he argued as defense lawyer for his case. He also participated in the Environmental Club and the St. Anne's Nursing Home visitation program. He was recognized for making the Principal's List for 13 consecutive quarters. Accepted at Brown University, Boston College, St. Anselm College, Stonehill College and Wesleyan University, he will be attending Brown University, where he will major in biology and hopes to continue to medical school.
Nathaniel Wackman the son of John Wackman and Susan Sinnot of Eliot, Maine, and Class Valedictorian, is a National Merit Finalist and a member of the National Honor Society and has received departmental awards in Latin, chemistry and theology. An active member of the school community, he participated in Mock Trial, Moot Court and worked on the Literary Journal. He has spent a summer in Thailand and Vietnam, working with the local people through the Global Routes Program. He has done additional study in foreign policy, the Middle East, and economics at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. Accepted at Johns Hopkins University, University of Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he will attend the University of Chicago, where he plans to major in International Studies. After college, he hopes to join the U.S. Peace Corps and eventually have a career in the U.S. Foreign Service.
