Somersworth High announces top 10 seniors
SOMERSWORTH — Somersworth High School has announced its top 10 seniors from the Class of 2011.
Kristen Dowling is the daughter of Laura and John Dowling of Rollinsford. She is the Valedictorian of her class. She has been the president of the student council, secretary of the National Honor Society, into which she was inducted her sophomore year, stage manager for the drama club, a varsity captain of the math team, and the student representative on the Rollinsford School Board.
Kristen earned the Rensselaer Medal and the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit, both for the top cumulative grade in science and mathematics, as well as the Holy Cross Book Award. She was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society her junior year for achievement in the biotechnology program.
During her sophomore year, Kristen attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership conference as her high school's ambassador and completed their 100-hour service challenge the following year. Last summer she attended the St. Paul's Advanced Studies Program for biomedical ethics, in which she earned a "superior" grade for achieving in the top 15% of her class.
Kristen was accepted to the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Brandeis University, Boston College, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Vermont, the University of Virginia, and Yale University. This fall she will attend Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut where she will major in Biology.
Jeffrey Rano is the son of Timothy and Joanne Rano of Rollinsford. Jeff has been on the track and field team for three years, as well as the rugby club and math team.
Jeff is the salutatorian of his class. Jeff is a 2010 New Hampshire Boys State graduate and is also a New Hampshire State Scholar.
Jeff has been accepted to University of New Hampshire Honors Program and Northeastern University. Jeff will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall in either Chemical or Civil Engineering.
Madeleine Hassett is the daughter of William and Virginia Hassett of Rollinsford. She has been an active member of Student Council for four years, a member of the Chain Reaction Club, and is currently serving as the treasurer of the National Honor Society.
Madeleine actively competes in the equestrian sport of eventing and hopes to continue riding in college. She is also a dedicated member of the ski and snowboard club. Madeleine completed an internship this past summer in the Davis Genetics lab at UNH and will employ the invaluable experience she gained there in her future studies.
Madeleine has been accepted to the University of Vermont, UNH, and the University of New England, Siena College, St. Lawrence University and Hartwick College. She plans to attend the University of Vermont in the fall and major in Biology. She hopes to pursue a career in research.
Marie Ainaire is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ainaire of Somersworth. Marie is president of the Interact Club and has been class secretary for all four years. She is also an active member of Student Council, National Honor Society, the Chain Reaction Club, S-Cubed, and Drama Club. Marie was on the field hockey and spring track teams each year and also participated in winter track.
This year, Marie received the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, as well as the NHIAA & NHADA Scholar Athlete Award. She has been named a New Hampshire State Scholar and has received numerous academic achievement awards throughout her years in high school.
Marie plans to attend the University of New Hampshire with a major in Spanish and hopes to become a Spanish teacher. She hopes to continue her community service in college while keeping her family and friends close.
Mika Genatossio, daughter of Stephen and Lisa Genatossio, is graduating fourth in the Somersworth High School Class of 2011. She has played volleyball for Somersworth for all four years of high school, as well as four seasons for the NH Seacoast volleyball club. Mika has also participated in winter track, spring track, and lacrosse at Somersworth for two seasons each.
Mika is an active member of the Music Department, having been a part of Band, Chorus, Select Chorus, and Drama Club for four years. She was the section leader of the clarinet section for two years and sang in the 2010 NH Allstate Mixed Chorus. She was elected Vice President of Band and Librarian of Chorus this past year and has served as a Drum Major of the Marching Band since her sophomore year. In addition, Mika has spent about a year on the school's Math Team. She won the Smith Book Award as a junior.
This year, Mika was accepted to the College of Saint Rose, Emmanuel College, the University of New Hampshire Honors Program, and Ithaca College. She will be attending Ithaca College in the fall in the Exploratory Program (undecided) and is interested in pursuing Music Education or Math Education.
Nick Mariano is the son of Michael and Susan Mariano of Somersworth. He has been a member of the varsity baseball team for three years and a member of the varsity soccer team for four. In addition to baseball and soccer, Nick was a member of the math team his junior and senior year.
Academically, Nick was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award his junior year and earned the classification of "proficient with distinction" in mathematics on the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP), accompanied by just two percent of New Hampshire students. He also was awarded the New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers Certificate of Excellence for Spanish.
Nick was accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Villanova University. He will attend Villanova University in the fall, where he plans to major in computer engineering.
Caitlin Kretschmar is the daughter of Gregory and Valerie Kretschmar. She has been the president of her class for the past 3 years and she led the class of 2011 through many successes including prom, March Madness, and various class fundraisers. She was also President of National Honor Society, a member of Interact, Student Council, Environmental club, and an active member of the Drama club. Caitlin is an active member of her community.
As a Scholar Athlete and NHIAA Athlete of the Month of March, she has spent her 4 years of high school on the field hockey field, basketball court, and softball fields. She has served as captain of both the field hockey and softball team. During the summer she spends her time on stage at Hackmatack Playhouse, where she has been seen in "The Producers" and "Hello Dolly."
Her plans next year will take her to The University of New Hampshire, where she has been accepted into the Nursing Program.
Brendan Dion is the son of David Dion and Cyndie Paraski. He has been an active member of Dover Youth to Youth since he was in the sixth grade. This program had a big impact on him, and he helped to found a new Youth to Youth group at Somersworth High during his sophomore year. This was one of several ways in which he gave back to his community. He was also a member of the school's Interact Club, and he especially enjoyed taking part in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life walk. In his spare time, Brendan enjoyed playing soccer. During the summer season, he played for the high school team and in the winter, he played indoor soccer with the ROSO Soccer Club. He is currently looking to have a new role in the community by participating in the newly formed Bay State Ghostbusters group.
Brendan has been accepted to Cornell University's School of Arts and Sciences and will be attending with plans to major in linguistics.
Dimitri Newman is the son of Fr. Dr. Constantine and Anna Newman. Dimitri is an active member of his church community, participating in Greek Orthodox Youth of America, church choir, soup kitchens, the Lawrence soup truck, the Greek food festival, Sunday school, and other church events. Dimitri played football his freshman and senior years and regrets not playing all four years and would like to apologize to Bill Hurley for that. He was involved with music, singing with the select chorus and playing with the jazz band, a new feature to Somersworth's extracurricular music programs.
He has been a member of National Honor Society since Junior year and was named a New Hampshire State Scholar. Dimitri was accepted to St. Joseph's College of Maine, University of Maine, University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, and Providence College. He plans to attend the University of New Hampshire and major in Justice Studies and pursue a career in law enforcement.
Douglas Wentworth is the son of Mark and Suzanne Wentworth of Rollinsford. He was named a NH Scholar, NHIAA Scholar Athlete and UNH Dean's Scholar.
While at Somersworth High School Doug played hockey for four years and senior year helped captain the team to a State Championship title. He was selected to the NH All State First Team and was SHS Defensive Player of the Year. His junior year he received the Coaches Award and freshman year the Unsung Hero Award. He also participated in lacrosse, track, ski/snowboard club and student council.
Doug is also an Adopt-A-Spot and Earth Day volunteer and in the summer operates his own lawn care service.
This fall Doug will attend the University of New Hampshire where he will major in Business Administration.