ANSONIA — Bryan Nguy is valedictorian of the Class of 2019 at Ansonia High School, Principal Paul Giansanti has announced.
Bryan and the rest of the top 10 students of the class were honored at a banquet, hosted by the Ansonia Board of Education, on May 22 at AHS.
In addition, they led their classmates during the commencement exercises on June 7 on Jarvis Field.
All of the top 10 students have earned numerous college credits by completing college-level courses offered by Ansonia High School, and most of the students are going to potentially earn many more for courses they recently completed.
With each course ranging in value from $608 to $3,738 and higher, the top 10 graduates may potentially save more than $30,000, thanks to courses they successfully completed while at AHS.
The completed courses taken by the majority of the top 10 include the following: Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Language and Composition and U.S. History. Students have also taken advantage of numerous other courses, including Physics I and II, Calculus, Computer Science, Modern Western Traditions, and Digital Electronics.
Many college-level courses are offered as a result of partnerships with UConn, the University of New Haven, and HCC (Housatonic Community College).
Here is a brief overview of each student and their accomplishments while attending AHS:
Bryan Nguy, valedictorian, is the son of Bruce Nguy and Quyen Lam.
He is a member of the Junior Statesmen of America, the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the Audio and Visual Club. His volunteer work has included helping Prendergast School organize books for their library; guide runners in the Griffin Hospital 5K race; and assisting with the lights and backstage work for AHS concerts and talent shows.
Bryan has earned 22 college credits by completing the following college-level courses: Statistics, Chemistry, Language and Composition and U.S. History. Bryan is awaiting the results of testing he completed for the following courses this year: Physics, Literature and Composition, Calculus, Computer Science and Modern Traditions. He could potentially earn an additional 26 credits for courses taken this past year. Bryan is majoring in computer science at UConn in the fall.
Timmy Betancur, son of Nguyen Betancur and Eugenio Betancur, is salutatorian.
Timmy has been a member of the AHS Band, the AV Club and the National Honor Society. He has helped to organize books at a local elementary school; assisted in several community events; and guided runners in a local 5K road race. Timmy has earned 24 college credits for the following courses: ECE Statistics, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry and ECE U.S. History. He can potentially earn an additional 20 for college credit courses he recently completed, including ECE Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Literature and Composition and AP Calculus. He will be majoring in computer science at Northeastern University.
Samantha Rowland, the daughter of Keith and Christine Rowland, is ranked third.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Global Scholars Club. Samantha is the recipient of the Yale Book Award. She has taken numerous college-credit courses at AHS, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Language and Composition; ECE/AP Chemistry; AP US History; AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus, AP/ECE Physics and ECE Modern Western Traditions. She has earned 36 Early College Experience credits. Samantha will be attending Fairfield University in the fall.
Cali Brown, daughter of Randy and Maureen Tomlinson, is fourth in her class. Cali is a member of the National Honor Society and the Global Scholars Club.
She has taken seven college-credit courses, including AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP English Literature IV, AP Statistics, AP Psychology and ECE Modern Western Traditions. Cali has earned 21 Early College Experience credits.
This fall, she will be attending Clark University and will be taking on a double major course of study in English and Community, Youth and Education.
Julia Ashley Catale, daughter of Joe and Susan Catale, is fifth in her class.
Julia is a member of the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team, the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Student Ambassadors Club, the Human Relations Club, and the Junior Statesmen of America.
She has been honored as a CIAC Scholar Athlete. Julia has served as a sixth grade mentor; has been a member of the Binky Patrol, which makes blankets for children who are hospitalized; and has participated in a veteran’s games night. She recently completed an AP Calculus class. Julia will be majoring in chemistry at Central Connecticut State University.
Nikka Mae Real, daughter of Novie Real, is ranked sixth. Nikka is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America, the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Human Relations Club and the After School Chorus. She has taken five college-credit courses, including AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus and AP Physics. Nikka has earned 28 Early College Experience credits. She will be majoring in mechanical engineering at Gateway to UConn.
Lance Praseutsack, son of Pon and Sokho Praseutsack, is ranked seventh.
He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Audio Visual Club. He has helped out backstage at talent shows and music concerts at AHS; has helped organize books at a local elementary school; has guided runners at a local 5K race; and has helped out at blood drives. Lance has taken numerous college-credit courses, including US History, Chemistry, Physics, Literature and Composition and AP Calculus. He may earn a total of 30 college credits for these courses. Lance will be majoring in mechanical engineering at Clarkson University.
Michael Esposito, son of Andrew and Danielle Esposito, is eighth in his class. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Yearbook Club, and the Spirit Club. Michael served as a student intern.
He has taken five college credit courses, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, ECE/AP History and AP English Literature IV. He has earned 18 Early College Experience credits. Michael will be majoring in business management at UConn.
Dain Padilla, son of Jennifer Walker and David Padilla, is ranked ninth. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America and the Audio Visual Club. He represented AHS at Boys State last year. Dain has taken nine college-credit courses, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, ECE/AP Chemistry, ECE/AP History, AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus, AP/ECE Physics, and ECE Modern Western Traditions.
He has earned 40 Early College Experience credits. Dain will major in criminal justice at UConn.
Sarah Madar, daughter of Eileen and David Madar, is ranked tenth in her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Audio Visual Club.
Sarah volunteered at nearly every event involving members of the National Honor Society; has helped raise money for the Class of 2019; and assisted the teachers in her dance school. Sarah has taken several college credit courses, including ECE Modern Western Traditions, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP/ECE English Literature and Composition and Digital Electronics. She will be majoring in Interactive Media and Game Arts at Becker College.
