SEYMOUR — Here are the Top 10 students from the Class of 2025 at Seymour High School:
1. Shayan Khan is the current president of the National Honor Society and an active member of Seymour High School’s Chess Club. He also enjoys playing basketball at the community center, doing integrals, and studying space. Pursuing physics/astronomy in college, he plans to join the next generation of NASA scientists while also pursuing TikTok. He is the valedictorian of the class of 2025.
2. Robert (Robby) Carrafiello is a fourth generation SHS Wildcat. He values being a part of the Seymour community where he has learned and grown from his experiences at Country Bear Preschool, CLS, SMS and SHS. He is a four year athlete who served as a senior captain for the boys’ soccer and boys’ basketball teams. He is a proud member of SHS Best Buddies, where he enjoys making social connections with peers who have intellectual disabilities. He is also a role model in the KinderCats program, where Robby and fellow seniors mentor students at Bungay School academically and socially. Each year, Robby volunteers at the Seymour Pumpkin Festival in a variety of capacities throughout the day. He is an annual participant in the Seymour Pink 5k and the Brian Injury Association of Connecticut’s Walk for Thought. For the past 3 years, he has been a volunteer counselor at the Seymour Recreation youth basketball summer camp. He was named one of two CIwAC Scholar Athletes representing SHS in 2025. Robby, along with two of his peers, were chosen to serve as student representatives on the Board of Education District Awards committee this spring. He was honored to be the recipient of the Harvard Book Award and Rensselaer Medal in his junior year. Robby would like to further his education in a metropolitan area. He enjoys mathematics as well as the humanities, but is undecided on a major and how he would like to apply his strengths to a career path. He is the salutatorian of the class of 2025.
3. Matthew Pastick is the son of Orsola and Terrence Pastick. He is third in his graduating class. He is the captain of the swim team where he earned both all-nvl and all-state recognition. He is a National Honor Society member and was a treasurer in the Future Business Leaders of America. He plans to pursue chemical engineering in college.
4. Julia Marsala is the daughter of Francesca and Gary Marsala. While at Seymour High School, she was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Link Crew, and KinderCats. She has participated in the Varsity Dance Team as a member for four years in which she received the All-NVL award and two-time All-American award. Additionally, she is a member of the Class of 2024 Laurel Girls State. Outside of school, she has been a student at Aimee’s Academy of Dance for seventeen years and enjoys tutoring Kindergarten students in reading. She plans to attend the University of Miami where she will study Political Science and follow the Pre-Law track to pursue a career as an attorney.
5. Jastina Khand is the daughter of Bandana and Dibash Khand. She is currently the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at Seymour High School and an active member of the Seymour Historical Society, where she serves a docent. She was nominated for and attended Laurel Girls State in the summer of 2024 at the University of New Haven. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering at Seymour Pink, reading, and engaging in the arts. Jastina is interested in science and engineering and plans on majoring in chemical engineering at the college level.
6. Zachary McKirryher is the treasurer of the National Honors Society, a member of the Student Council, and an AP scholar. As a senior he had the privilege of participating with KinderCats, mentoring Kindergarten students. Zachary’s commitment to his extracurricular activities is commendable. He has competed in Men’s Gymnastics for twelve years being a three time Academic All American and two time Eastern National qualifier. He is a two sport varsity athlete, participating in both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. He has achieved first team All State twice and was recently recognized as a member of the Academic All State Team. Zachary spends his free time with his family as well as working coaching recreational gymnastics, and volunteering for the Pumpkin Festival and for the Cheshire YMCA swim team. Zachary is thankful for his time at SHS, and he looks forward to applying his experience and everything he has learned to his future endeavors.
7. Owen Marganski is the son of Paul and Jennifer Marganski. He will be attending the University of Connecticut to obtain a master’s degree in computer engineering. He had a 4.0 unweighted GPA in high school, and is 7th in his graduating class. He earned a 1470 on the SAT and . He was a four-year participant in the Performing Arts program, where he played trumpet and guitar.
8. Jake George has shown a strong commitment to teamwork and leadership. Since freshman year, he has been a devoted member of Seymour High’s football and basketball teams, adding track on junior year. His drive and positive attitude make him a reliable and encouraging teammate, whether on the field or in the classroom. Jake has been awarded the New Haven County Chapter Scholarship for football. Jake is equally committed to supporting his peers and giving back to his community. Since freshman year, he has been actively involved in Best Buddies, where his kindness and empathy have positively impacted the lives of his fellow students. This year, he extended his reach further by joining Kinder Club, demonstrating his dedication to building a supportive school environment for younger students.
9. Lilliana Criscio has been a valuable member of Seymour High School’s volleyball team all four years; being named captain her senior year. This year, Lilliana was All-State for volleyball and won CIAC scholar athlete. She also has been part of the softball and basketball team, and indoor track. Lilliana is also a member of the National Honor Society, student council and best buddies. Aside from school related sports and clubs, Lilliana volunteers at Griffin Hospital and works at Rich Farm since her junior year. Lilliana has been a member of the Yale ABCD (adolescent brain and cognitive development) study since she was in 5th grade. Lilliana has excellent time management skills which allow her to balance these activities with her rigorous coursework. Lilliana will be majoring in nursing at The University of Tampa next year, where she was awarded the UTampa Presidential scholarship.
10. Ryan Sadick is the daughter of Tracey and Tim Sadick of Seymour. She is a two-time First Team All-State volleyball player, on the CHSCA All-Academic Team, HOBY alum, and Laurel Girls State attendee. As Vice President of the National Honors Society and a member of Link Crew, Ryan is dedicated to community engagement and fostering service, including volunteering for the Seymour Extended School Year program for special needs children. She is also a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches All Academic Team. She plans on attending a four year college and pursuing a career in law.
