Jamie Karas is valedictorian of the Class of 2017 at Ansonia High School, Principal Terri Goldson has announced. Jamie and the other top 10 students of the class were honored at a banquet, hosted by the Ansonia Board of Education, on June 6 at AHS. They led their classmates during the commencement exercises on June 12 at the Nolan Field complex.
All top 10 students have earned 20 or more college credits by completing several college-level courses offered by Ansonia High School, and all 10 are currently completing two or three additional college-level classes, which may add up to six more credits for their post-secondary education.
The completed courses taken by the majority of the top 10 include these Advanced Placement courses: Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Language and Composition and U.S. History. All 10 have also successfully completed HCC (Housatonic Community College) Algebra II and HCC Pre-Calculus. For their senior year, the top 10 enrolled in two, three or four AP courses, including AP English Literature, AP Calculus, AP Psychology and/or Early College Experience Modern Western Traditions. Several students also took advantage of taking the new on-line learning modules through the business department.
Jamie Karas, valedictorian, is the daughter of Gregory and Priscilla Karas, and she is a leader in many academic and scholastic activities. She is president of the National Honor Society, secretary of the Student Ambassadors Club, and a member of DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the Garden Club. She is a Governor’s Scholar finalist, a recipient of the Yale Book Award, and the Silver Award with the Girl Scouts of America. Jamie has been a figure skater for nine years and is a member of the Laurel Ridge Skating Club. She will be majoring in nursing at Salve Regina University in the fall.
Amy Elizabeth DeStefano, daughter of Frank and Kim DeStefano, is salutatorian. Amy is president of the Student Ambassadors Club, co-president of the Garden Club, parliamentarian of the National Honor Society and secretary of DECA. She is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the Hiking-Biking Club, and served as a peer mentor at Prendergast School during her junior year. Amy will major in nutrition and dietetics at the University of New Haven, where she will study to become a Registered Dietitician.
Kaitlyn Sengphilom, the daughter of Sanorack and Ge Sengphilom, is ranked third. She is vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of the new National Art Honor Society, a Student Government representative and a member of FBLA. Kaitlyn is a CAS Scholar Athlete, one of the captains of the Girls Varsity Soccer team and a member of the All NVL, All New Haven Register and All-State Girls Soccer teams. She is a recipient of the Harvard Book Award and is an AP Scholar. She will major in computer engineering at the University of Rhode Island.
Emma Jane Rosa, daughter of Jane Liscio and Paul Rosa, is fourth in her class. Vice President of the Class of 2017 and Yearbook editor, Emma is also a member of Student Governance, the United Way Youth Leadership Class 2016 – 17 and the PTSO. She is also one of the captains of the Girls Varsity Soccer team. In the community, Emma is a volunteer at the Seymour Evangelical Baptist Church. She will be attending UConn at Storrs in the fall.
Carly Toth, daughter of William and Denise Toth, is fifth in her class. She is vice president of DECA and a member of the National Honor Society, FBLA, the PTSO, and the Girls Varsity Soccer team. In the community, she is a member of the Boy Scouts of America Venturing Crew and has been a member of the Girl Scouts of America for 13 years and the International Order of the Rainbow in Ansonia for seven. She has won the Girl Scouts Bronze and Silver Award. Carly will be majoring in engineering at Quinnipiac University in the fall.
Joseph Forleo, son of Vincent and Carol Forleo, is ranked sixth. Editor in Chief of the Year, Joseph is also treasurer of the National Honor Society. He is captain of the Boys Varsity Soccer team and a member of FBLA, DECA, the PTSO, Hiking-Biking club, the Garden Club, Spirit club, and Student Ambassadors. In the community, Joseph has participated in the clean-up day at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center. He is majoring in biology at the University of New Haven in the fall.
Leila R. Saleh, daughter of Sahed and RoseMarie Saleh, is ranked seventh. Secretary of the National Honor Society and a Student Government Class Representative since sophomore year, Leila is also a six-year member of the Human Relations Club, serving as the elementary education coordinator this year. She is also a yearbook editor and a member of the Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge team. In the community, she is a volunteer at Holy Rosary Church. Leila will major in elementary education at Mount Saint Mary College.
Brianna Hurd, daughter of Robert and Cheryl Hurd, is eighth in her class. Vice President of the AHS Band, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Audio Visual Club and the Video Game Club. She is a member of the Global Scholars Club, which toured Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland this year. During her junior year, she was a member of the Drama Club. For the past five years, she has helped out with photography at a Pre‑K program in Seymour. For the past 10 years, she has taken lessons at Danz Magic in Derby and is a member of the dance team. Brianna will major in film and photography at Ithaca College in the fall.
Rebecca Cafaro, daughter of Christopher and Carole Cafaro, is ranked ninth. Historian of the National Honor Society, she is also a member of the PTSO. Rebecca is a recipient of the CAPSS Superintendent’s Award this year, the St. Michael’s Book Award, and the Girl Scouts Bronze and Silver Award. Rebecca is involved in several community organizations. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and is a member of Troop 60500 in Ansonia. She is also member of the Venturing Crew 77, which is sponsored by the Holy Rosary Men’s Club. At Holy Rosary Church, she has been a member of the Youth Group for four years and a teacher for religious education for two years. Rebecca is also a junior docent for the Derby Historical Society. She will major in marine biology at the University of New Haven in the fall.
Taryn Eileen O’Neill, daughter of Geoffrey and Laura O’Neill, is ranked tenth in her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the new National Art Honor Society, the Audio Visual Club, the Global Scholars Club, Guitar Club and the Drama Club. Taryn also plays bass guitar and has taken lessons at Banko’s in Ansonia for five years. She will major in marine biology at the University of New Haven next year.
