DERBY – Isabela Hernandez is the Derby High School Class of 2024’s valedictorian and Jessica Gerckens in the salutatorian, principal Jennifer Olson announced.
The class of 2024 is scheduled to graduate during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at the Leo F. Ryan Athletic Complex off Chatfield Street.
The top 10 students in the graduating class will lead their classmates into the ceremony, during which Hernandez and Gerckens will give commencement speeches.
“The top 10 students have many achievements both in and out of the classroom. They have completed numerous Advanced Placement (AP), dual-credit, and Early College Experience (ECE) courses offered at Derby High School to prepare them for post-secondary education,” Olson said in a prepared statement.
Derby Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway complemented the top 10 students for their hard work, dedication, perseverance and “grit.”
“They serve as an inspiration and model to all of us. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals on this well-deserved recognition,” Conway said.
The Class of 2024 Top 10 was recognized at a breakfast with their families in April.
The event was held at the J.R. Payden Fieldhouse and included remarks by the superintendent.
“Each student had the opportunity to invite a Derby Public Schools educator who has made an impact on their educational journey to attend the breakfast with their family. During the ceremony, the teachers read their students biographies, shared memories and expressed well-wishes for their future,” Olson said.
Here is a brief overview of each student in the Top 10 and their individual accomplishments, recognitions, and post-secondary plans, as provided by the administration at Derby High School.
1. Isabela Hernandez, Valedictorian with a GPA of 4.48, is the daughter of Carlos and Flor Hernandez. She is a member of the National Honor Society, where she holds the position of President, Student Council, where she holds the position of Vice President, Spanish Honor Society, where she holds the position of Historian, Spanish Club, Valley SURGE, OnBoard! Student Mentor Program, Unified Sports, Best Buddies Program, and Mock Trial Club.
She has been on the honor roll all four years. Additionally, Isabela participated in the Connecticut Association of Student Councils’ General Assembly event.
She is a member of the Varsity Girls Soccer and Track & Field Teams, and is Team Manager for the Varsity Wrestling Team.
Isabela was the 2023 recipient of the Gettysburg College Book Award, given to a member of the junior class who has distinguished themselves in the study of American History, and demonstrates a dedication to scholarship.
Over the past four years, Isabela has helped her community in many ways.
In 2023, she helped organize the DHS Family Game Night, along with other members of the National Honor Society, raising money for the Derby Neck Library. Isabela was also instrumental in the development of the DHS Recycling Program, which hopes to establish an annual scholarship awarded to a DHS senior who exemplifies the pillars of the National Honor Society, and exhibits a strong passion for the community.
She also participated in the Read Aloud Program, recording herself reading children’s books in English and Spanish for younger students. Other volunteer events that Isabela has participated in include, the Valley Literacy Program, Men Who Cook event, and the City-wide Clean-up, among others.
Isabela has obtained acceptances from: the University of Connecticut, Western New England University, Quinnipiac University, Stony Brook University, Sacred Heart University, Southern CT State University, University of New Haven, University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, Albertus Magnus College, Rutgers University, Central Connecticut State University, University of Bridgeport, The Ohio State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Suffolk University.
Isabela will attend the University of Connecticut, majoring in Biology, following the Pre-Dental track. She also plans to minor in Finance or Marketing.
2. Jessica Gerckens Salutatorian with a GPA of 4.42, is the daughter of Kevin and Chantal Gerckens. She is a member of the Student Council, where she holds the position of President, National Honor Society, where she holds the position of Vice President, Spanish Honor Society, where she holds the position of Historian, Spanish Club, Valley SURGE, OnBoard! Student Mentor Program, Unified Sports, Best Buddies Program, Human Relations Club, Student-Athlete Leadership Team, and Mock Trial Club.
Additionally, Jessica is the Derby Board of Education Student Representative, and participated in the Connecticut Association of Student Councils’ General Assembly event.
She has been on the honor roll all four years, and is the Captain of the Varsity Girls Soccer Team and a member of the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Teams. Jessica received the 2023 Harvard Book award, and was a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate. She currently works as a To-Go Specialist at Tipsy Tomato Pizzeria.
Over the last four years, Jessica has completed many acts of service to her community, including, but not limited to, DHS Family Game Night, helping to organize the event with other members of the National Honor Society, raising money for the Derby Neck Library, Derby Public Library, Valley Literacy Program, Read Aloud Program, Men Who Cook event, and at Ridgefield Station Senior Living, leading group activities for residents and assisting residents with Alzheimer’s disease.
Jessica has received acceptances from: Southern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Clark University, Pennsylvania State University, Pepperdine University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Stonehill College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, The State University of New York at New Paltz, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, University of Central Florida, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of New Hampshire, University of New Haven, and Wesleyan University.
Jessica will attend Southern Connecticut State University, and will major in Biology.
3. Victoria Pecirep, daughter of Karen Melko and Miodrag Pecirep, is ranked third in her class at Derby High School with a 4.37 GPA.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, where she is Treasurer, the Spanish National Honor Society, where she is secretary, Student Council, Mock Trial, Valley SURGE, and Spanish club. Victoria has been a high honor roll recipient for the past four years as well as Raider of the Week in 2021. This award was given for demonstrating Resilience, Ambition, Integrity, Discipline, Empathy, and Respect within her school community.
Throughout her high school career, Victoria has found many ways to give back to her community. She has volunteered at the “Men Who Cook” fundraiser to support programs such as Meals on Wheels, housing and food support, home heating help, and medical transportation for older adults. Furthermore, Victoria has assisted at the Ridgefield Station, parent-teacher conferences where she escorted families around the school building, and volunteered her time at the local elementary school by reading stories to the children.
For her National Honor Society project, she facilitated a donation drive to help provide children with basic essentials, encourage the growth of positive relationships within the children’s family circles, and offer ongoing emotional support for their families.
Victoria has been accepted to Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Fordham University, Marist College, Iona University, University of New Haven, University of Massachusetts- Boston, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, University of Rhode Island, University of Connecticut, Southern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, and Penn State.
Victoria will attend Sacred Heart University with a major in Business Management.
4. Nicholas Asphall, son of Nickesha Asphall, is ranked fourth in his class at Derby High School with a GPA of 4.26.
He is a founding member and President of the Beekeeping Club, as well as a member of the Art Club, at Derby High School. He has achieved honors status all four years of high school, was the 2023 recipient of the Seton-Yale Book Award, received the College Board National African American Recognition Award, and was a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate.
He has work experience as a sales associate/cashier, as well as with inventory management, stocking, cleaning, and maintenance at Upcake Supplies and Treat Shop in Bronx, NY.
Nicholas has received acceptances from Quinnipiac University, Fordham University, University of Connecticut, Iona University, and Southern Connecticut State University. Nicholas will attend Quinnipiac University, with a major in Biology.
He will work toward a Masters of Health Science degree in the Pathologists’ Assistant Program. He also plans to take the Medical College Admission Test and go to Med School.
5. Alexandra Mraz, daughter of Glenn and Stacy Mraz, is ranked fifth in her class at Derby High School with a GPA of 4.25.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and has received high honors throughout her years at DHS. She is an active member of the varsity wrestling team, student council, and varsity track and field team. Additionally, Alexandra was an active player on the varsity soccer team in her junior year at DHS.
Throughout her time at Derby High School,Alexandra has found ways to help her community. She has volunteered at the Derby Public Library where she organized books as well as upcoming events. In 2020, Alexandra was an active member in the Human Relations Club and City Wide Clean up Project. In her Junior year, Alexandra volunteered at Echo Hose where she answered calls and assisted with filing. Alexandra has balanced her school work, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work on top of maintaining a job at a local restaurant.
Alexandra has been accepted to Penn State, Rutgers, University of Connecticut, and University of Massachusetts- Amherst.
Alexandra will attend Quinnipiac University where she will major in Biology/Biomolecular Science with the goal of one day becoming a Histologist.
6. Cody Ngaopraseutsack, son of Phoxay and Sengkham Ngaopraseutsack, is ranked sixth in his class with a GPA of 4.19 at Derby High School.
He has been part of various clubs throughout high school such as Student Government, Valley Surge Club, National Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society, and Human Relations Club.
Cody is also on the Outdoor Track & Field team. Cody has volunteered his time at the Ridgefield Station Senior Living Center where he served as an assisted living caregiver building positive relationships with patients. He volunteered to help with meal preparation at the community event, Men Who Cook. He also volunteered at the library helping display and organize books to ensure that the library was a clean community environment.
Cody has been accepted to Quinnipiac University, Rutgers University, The Ohio State University, UConn Storrs, UMass Amherst, Indiana University (Bloomington), Providence College, and Villanova University. Cody will be attending the University of Connecticut and will major in Finance or Economics.
7. Anastasia Stanis, daughter of Margaret Stewart Aiello and Michael Aielllo, is ranked seventh in her class with a GPA of 4.08.
She is a member and captain of Derby High School Varsity CheerleadingTeam as well as Derby High School Softball Team. Anastasia is a member of the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, Student Council, Human Relations Club, and Indoor and Outdoor Track Team. In her Freshman year, she was the class representative and worked closely with the unified sports events as a volunteer.
Other volunteer experiences that Anastasia has participated in throughout her years at DHS were a 10 week Cheer Clinic, a City Wide Clean Up program, a Suicide Awarerness Walk, and donations for the local animal shelter and library. Anastasia completed her National Honor Society Service Project last year where she put together “Welcome Home” baskets to local homeless shelters filled with essential items. Anastasia actively participates in the OnBoard mentor program where she assists with our 8th grade students’ transition to high school.
In 2022, Anastasia won the State of CT Voices for Change Grant that constructed a new Pavilion on school grounds that provided a space for student activities.
In 2023, Anastasia was selected to be an ambassador of the Barnum Festival where she received the title of princess and attended over 20 events such as the memorial day parade and the road show in which they went around to nursing homes and performed. Anastasia was an advocate for change on the dress code committee in the 2022 school year as well as an active member of the CAS-CIAC student Athletic Advisory Board member.
Anastasia will be attending Louisiana State University and majoring in Biological Sciences.
8. Diana Ladouceur, daughter of Jenny Labbe, is ranked eighth in her class at Derby High School with a GPA of 4.01.
Throughout her time at Derby High School, she has participated in Student Council, where she was a Junior Class Representative, STEP Program, where she was a Co-Captain and Social Media Manager, Volleyball Club, Valley Surge Club, Scrapbooking Club, Best Buddies, and Mock Trial Club.
Diana is also a member of the Ocean Busters Youth Organization, and the Varsity Girls Soccer Team. She spent her spare time volunteering at Walnut Hill Community Church, providing face painting services for the kids during summer events; as well as volunteered at Irving School for Junior Achievement.
On top of all of her extracurricular activities, Diana was able to gain knowledgeable work experience as an assistant teacher for a daycare in Shelton. She has been on the honor roll for four years.
Diana has received acceptances from Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Massachusetts – Boston, New Jersey City University, Dillard University, Southern Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, University of New Haven, Assumption University, Albertus Magnus College, Quinnipiac University, Tuskegee University, and the University of Connecticut.
Diana will attend Southern Connecticut State University, and will major in communication disorders.
9. Jacob Holcomb, son of Kevin and Jean Holcomb, is ranked ninth in his class with a GPA of 4.0. He has been on the honor roll all four years at DHS, and has taken several honors-level courses, including Integrated Earth & Physical Science, Civics, Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology.
Jacob was a member of the weightlifting club, and has taken courses in coding. His interests include U.S. History, Psychology, weightlifting, watching horror and anime movies, ax throwing, and playing video games.
After graduation, Jacob plans to enter the workforce, and hopes to become a Personal Trainer.
10. Dahiana Rodriguez-James, daughter of Hector and Annette Rodriguez, is currently ranked tenth in her class at Derby High School with a GPA of 3.98.
She has been on the Honor Roll all 4 years at DHS. Dahiana has been part of the Spanish Club, Volleyball Club, Mock Trial Club, Best Buddies Club, Student Council, is a Class Act member, and is part of the Student Athlete Leadership Team. She is part of the DHS soccer team, track & field team, and the Unified Sports team. Dahiana has volunteered her time being a Climate Initiative Organization member, a Gensea Organization member, an Ocean Buster Organization member, and has been part of both The Wonderful Homemakers Organization, The Global Free Humans Organization, and the Leveled Legislation Organization.
Dahiana has been accepted to the University of New Haven, Hofstra University, University of Michigan, the University of South Carolina, Louisiana State University, and The Ohio State University.
Dahiana will attend the University of New Haven and will study Criminal Justice-Investigative Services and National Security.
