Top students honored at dinner

Chester — Chester’s best students were among those honored at the 13th annual Outstanding Student Recognition Dinner held on May 21 at The Inn at Central Valley. Superintendent of schools Helen Anne Livingston introduced Jessica Lakis, Chester’s valedictorian, and Michael Rosenberg, salutatorian, at the dinner, which honored students from Orange and Ulster County schools. Also present from Chester were high school principal Leslie Hyatt, board of education president John Pasichnyk, and parents Helen Rosenberg, Steve Rosenberg, Suzanne Lakis, and Richard Lakis. Valedictorian Jessica Lakis will attend Lafayette College, where she plans to major in biology and establish a strong pre-medical education for a career in the health professions. This past year, she participated in the New Vision Medical Program, earning more than a semester of college credits and clinical experience. Throughout high school, Jessica has been involved in many extracurricular activities and organizations. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and the Key Club; president of the Varsity Club; and vice-president of the Class of 2008. She also played the flute for three years in the high school band. She played 14 varsity seasons for her school, earning five letters in soccer, five in softball, three in track, and one in basketball. She was captain for seven of those seasons. She was named an OCIAA Scholar-Athlete for Chester. Salutatorian Michael Rosenberg will attend American University in the fall. Although he is undecided about what his major will be, he is interested in medicine, business, and politics. Michael has been involved in various extracurricular activities throughout his years in high school. He was a member of Youth In Government for four years, the treasurer of his class in ninth and tenth grades, and the vice-president in eleventh. This year He is the vice-president of the Chester Academy Key Club, vice-president of the National Honor Society, and president of the Class of 2008. Besides schoolwork and extracurricular activities, he divides his time between his part-time job, his family, and his friends.