CENTRAL VALLEY — Monroe-Woodbury High School officials have signaled that graduation is just weeks away now that the Top 25 students of the Class of 2013 have been announced.
The third annual announcement of the ranking took place May 7, with Principal David Bernsley broadcasting the names to the entire high school community as family members of the Top 25 gathered in the lobby to hear his comments.
This year’s Top 25 includes two students sharing the 15 ranking spot. The competitive Grade Point Averages (GPAs) were computed to the ten-thousandths place.
Bernsley spoke of each student’s school, extracurricular and volunteer activities, noting how all are role models before a celebratory luncheon attended by student and their families, school officials, Board of Education members and town of Monroe and Woodbury officials began.
District officials felt showcasing their “best of the best” sends a positive message to not only high school students but to middle school students down to the youngest elementary students about how hard work and dedication to studies makes a difference.
They also know that parents will show use the list and the biographical about each student as a teachable moment to their children which to address the value of education and the importance of being a part of one’s community.
The naming of school’s Top 25 seniors is now established tradition at Monroe-Woodbury High School, with The Photo News joining in on this annual event by posing this now annual question to them: “What is the secret to your academic success?”
Their answers are unique and varied, talking about family support, lots coffee and even numerous, peculiar references to a “dream team.”
No. 1: Jennifer Rutishauser, valedictorian
GPA – 99.9014
“My biggest thing is knowing when it’s time to take a break and take some time for yourself and to relax outside of all the work.”
Rutishauser will be attending Fordham College at Rose Hill as a Dean’s Scholar and a member of its Honors Program. She plans on majoring in biology and then going to medical school.
She is currently a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Building Leadership Committee, STARS, LEAD, and the chamber orchestra.
Rutishauser is a member of the Allegro Youth Orchestra, and has participated throughout high school in All County, Area All State, and NYSSMA Solo festivals.
In her junior year, Rutishauser received her Girl Scout Gold Award for organizing a drive that collected 50 backpacks filled with school supplies for foster children in Orange County. She also volunteers every summer at her church’s vacation bible school, and has volunteered in both first-grade and special needs CCD classes.
Rutishauser currently volunteers at the Blooming Grove Humane Society, and has devoted over 400 hours to community service throughout her four years in high school.
No. 2: Amna Iftikhar, salutatorian
GPA – 99.4637
“Just determination. Honestly, if you want something, you can do anything and you don’t have to be a genius.”
Iftikhar will be attending the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of New York and has enrolled in its accelerated BS/MD program which will allow her to earn her medical degree in seven years.
Iftikhar is currently the treasurer of the school’s National Honor Society and is largely involved in the Interact Club where she volunteers at many community events.
During her senior year, Iftikhar was enrolled in the BOCES New Vision Medical Program. There, she was able to take courses taught by college professors and shadow various doctors in the medical field on a weekly basis.
Every summer since 2009, Iftikhar has volunteered in many departments at Orange Regional Medical Center, giving almost 400 hours of her time. She is also involved in the youth group at the Islamic Center of Rockland.
No. 3: Cody Nardone
GPA – 99.2804
“The dream team.”
Nardone will be attending the Honors College at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a major in physics.
He is a member of the Drama Club and has been in four musicals and two dramas on the high school stage, playing four lead roles over four years. He is the section leader in the voice ensemble and has participated in numerous all-county and area all-state festivals.
Nardone is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and STARS.
No. 4: Jake Centra
GPA – 98.7623
“The dream team.”
This fall, Centra will attend the University of Pittsburgh on a full-tuition scholarship.
He is a theater arts major and an active member in the Drama Club. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and STARS.
Centra has attended NYSSMA and All-State Conferences for the past two years. He also attended the NAFME All-Eastern Division Conference this year.
No. 5: Elizabeth Siew
GPA – 98.713
“Lack of sleep and using my creative juices.”
Siew is an art major who will be attending Pratt Institute in the fall with a major in fashion.
Siew is a member of the National Honor Society, the historian of the NAHS, co-president of the Art Guild, and co-editor-in-chief of Pendragon.
No. 6: Lilliana Kulak
GPA – 98.5212
“Encouraging parents and friends and great teachers.”
Kulak will be attending Northeastern University this fall. She is not declaring a major immediately, but she is participating in the university’s honors program. She received Northeastern’s National Merit Scholarship and she hopes to eventually enter the education field.
Kulak is a member of the voice ensemble, chamber orchestra and the drama club. She has also attended two All-State Music Festivals and this year’s All-Eastern Festival.
She has also completed more than 300 hours of community service.
No. 7: Mou Saha
GPA – 98.3223
“Determination and a lot of coffee.”
This fall, Saha will be attending the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University and is planning to earn her doctorate degree in pharmacy in six years.
Saha is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is also the treasurer of SADD, a LEAD mentor, a Woodbury Public Library volunteer and a part of STARS and Interact.
For the last four years, she has been a Science Olympiad Division B assistant coach and supervisor.
No. 8: Katherine Viall
GPA – 98 903
“Sleep, life deprivation and Doctor Who.”
Viall will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall and will be studying biology.
Viall has been a member of LEAD for two years, a member of Pendragon for two years and has been in STARS for three years. In her third year of being in STARS, she was appointed secretary.
Viall is also a member of the National Honor Society. She is a percussionist with the high school wind ensemble and a member of the drum line.
No. 9: Kenneth Fee
GPA – 98 804
“Swagger.”
Fee plans on attending Bentley University in the fall where he will major in economics and finance. He plans to earn his MBA afterward and pursue a career in the business field.
Fee has played on the boy’s varsity football team for three years and the boy’s varsity basketball team for two years. This past year Fee was a starter and captain for both sports and was the defensive MVP for the boy’s varsity football team.
Along with this award, Fee received the Michael J. Finnegan Scholarship Award for excellence both on the football field and in the classroom. He also participated in the Athletic Club for two years and volunteered at the Monroe Senior Citizen Center through this club. He is currently a member of both the Latin Honor Society and the National Honor Society.
No. 10: John Mallon
GPA – 97.7273
“The dream team.”
This fall, Mallon will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park, and plans to major in physics with a concentration in pre-medical studies. He hopes to go on to medical school and eventually become an oncologist.
Mallon has volunteered at the Monroe Dog Shelter, and he is still involved with and participating in charity events with the Suffern Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the Vincent Crotty Foundation.
Mallon is a member of the Athletic Club, the secretary of the National Honor Society and the president of the Latin Honor Society. He is also a Scholar Athlete who started two seasons as strong safety for the varsity football team.
No. 11: Samantha Thomas
GPA – 97.7116
“Making use of the opportunities presented to me.”
Thomas will be attending SUNY Binghamton in this fall. While she remains undecided about what she wants to major in, Thomas will be enrolled in the Scholar’s Program there.
Over the years, Thomas has participated in the science club, girl’s varsity golf and girl’s varsity track. She has been a part of the school’s math team since her freshman year and has been a member of STARS for the past three years.
Since the summer of 2010, Thomas has donated over 200 hours of community service to tutoring, the Monroe Dog Shelter, the Monroe Ambulance Corps. and her church.
During her senior year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was elected vice president of the Latin Honor Society.
No: 12: Maureen Murray
GPA – 97.4787
“Don’t think about your rank and GPA. Don’t stress about it. Just take each thing as it comes.”
This fall, Murray will be attending Hunter College as part of the Muse Scholar Program, an honors program for the arts, and plans on pursuing music and business.
Murray has played cello in the chamber orchestra for the last four years and has been in voice ensemble for the last three years. She has been in the spring musical every year as well as Area All State Orchestra and was selected for both the All State Chorus and All State Orchestra this year.
Murray was this year’s female scholar athlete and has played two seasons of varsity tennis and golf. She is in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and volunteers frequently at North Main Elementary and St. Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills.
No. 13: John Donnellan
GPA – 97.4198
“Crusader pride.”
Donnellan will be attending Cooper Union this fall and will major in civil engineering.
Donnellan is a starter on the boy’s varsity golf team. He also volunteers at the Woodbury Ambulance Corps. He is a member of the voice ensemble and he plays the cello in the Orange County Youth Symphony.
No. 14: Kristen Donnelly
GPA – 97.3848
“Dedication and balance.”
Donnelly will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park, in the fall and plans to major in biomedical engineering.
She is a scholar athlete who played two seasons for the varsity soccer team and three seasons for the varsity lacrosse team. She is a member of the Athletic Club, the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. Donnelly is an active member of the community who volunteers at Winslow’s Therapeutic Horse Center, the YMCA and with Edna’s Foundation of Hope.
No: Co-5: Arun Balaraman
GPA – 97.3166
“The dream team.”
This fall, Balaraman will be attending the University of Pittsburgh as a student in the honors program.
He is the treasurer of Amnesty International, FBLA, history club, Spanish Honor Society and LEAD. Balaraman also has played tennis on the school team throughout all of high school and is currently on the first doubles team.
Outside of school, Balaraman has volunteered at the Monroe Free Library and the Youth Activity Camp in Smith’s Clove Park.
No. Co-15: Treyton Templin
GPA – 97.3651
“Good genes.”
Templin will be attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., this fall, studying business with a marketing focus at the Krannert School of Management with a minor in engineering.
During this academic year, Templin was the historian for the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and attended both district and statewide events, placing first at states in the client service category.
He is also a returning member of the boy’s varsity tennis team.
Templin is a transfer student.
No. 16: Neem Rabbani
GPA – 97.2329
“Balance and motivation.”
Rabbani will be attending St. John’s University in the honors pharmacy program this fall.
Rabbani is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is also involved in STARS, LEAD, and is a member of the Student Council. Rabbani is the class treasurer, having held that position for the past three years.
Outside of school, she volunteers at her mosque and is a Science Olympiad Division B assistant coach/supervisor.
No. 17: Rebecca Halzack
GPA – 97.1876
“A magician never reveals her secrets.”
Halzack will be studying mechanical engineering at RPI this fall.
Halzack has been a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society for the past two years.
In 2011, she renovated the Woodbury Dog Park and received her Girl Scout Gold Award for her work.
No. 18: Amin Tmimi
GPA – 97.1137
“My competitiveness.”
Tmimi has earned a full-tuition, merit- based scholarship to the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he intends to study pharmaceuticals.
Tmimi has been a member of the varsity track team for the past 4 years. His many accomplishments include: Section IX Class A Champion in the 110m Hurdles and 400m Intermediate Hurdles; NYSPHSAA State Champion 1600m Relay; NYSPHSAA Runners Up 3200m Relay; National Qualifier 4x800m, 4x400m and Sprint Medley Relay. He holds several school records.
In addition, Tmimi was a member of the JV and varsity soccer team for three years. He is a LEAD mentor and a member of the National Honor Society as well as the French Honor Society.
Tmimi is also a volunteer at the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center in Warwick.
No. 19: Erin Lutley
GPA – 96.8918
“Hard work and lots of coffee.”
Lutley will be attending St. John’s University in the fall in a joint degree program in which she will receive her bachelor’s in biology and doctor of optometry degree through the College of Optometry in Manhattan.
Lutley is a member of the varsity track and field team where she specializes in the long and triple jump and sprints. This past indoor season, she competed in the New York State Championship in the triple jump.
Lutley is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Science Research Program, where she completed her research on the relationship between arch type and shoe type among cross-country runners.
No. 20: Abby Guruparan
GPA – 96.6382
“Sleep deprivation and orange juice.”
Guruparan will be attending Binghamton University to study linguistics and physics.
Guruparan has been part of the Pendragon, National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. She has participated in the Area All-State Orchestra and NYSSMA Level 6.
Outside of school, she volunteered at the Monroe Free Library.
No. 21: Joseph Feeney
GPA – 96.6114
“Don’t let school interfere with your education.”
Feeney will be studying mechanical engineering and computer science at Boston University while maintaining his study of the bass.
Music has been an integral part of Feeney’s high school career. He plays the bass in chamber orchestra, jazz ensemble, pit orchestra and has played at over 70 events with his jazz combo, “The Perfect Fifths.”
Feeney is a member of Spectrum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Twerk Team, and the National Honor Society.
As part of his scientific research, Joe helped raise a manatee, Holly, to maturity before releasing it into Earl Reservoir, winning him 17 awards.
No. 22: Michael Rallo
GPA – 96.5333
“Learning how to operate on lack of sleep.”
Rallo will be attending Rutgers University as a pre-medical student in the fall. He plans to major in cell biology and neuroscience.
Rallo is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. He is also involved in STARS, LEAD, and was a member of Odyssey of the Mind.
Rallo has been involved in the scientific research program, and worked on a research project at Florida State University assessing the use of progesterone as a treatment for concussions. This year, he is attending the New Vision Medical program, where he took college courses and shadowed medical professionals in the field.
Outside of school, Rallo is an Eagle Scout, and continues to serve his troop as a junior assistant scoutmaster. Rallo has volunteered more than 480 hours at Orange Regional Medical Center and is also a New York State certified first responder with the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
No. 23: Samantha Kanterman
GPA – 96.4099
“Working hard and no sleep.”
Kanterman will be on the pre-med track while attending the University of Miami this fall.
Kanterman has played JV volleyball for two years and freshman and JV basketball for one year. She has been a member of the varsity track team for four years.
Kanterman is the co-president of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Club, and she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society.
No. 24: Harshit Terala
GPA – 96.3869
“Lack of sleep.”
Terala plans to major in biology and will be attending Stony Brook University this fall in the hopes of becoming a cardiologist.
Terala is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. He is actively involved in LEAD, Interact, and is the integrity editor for the Crusader newspaper. He also has been playing on the school tennis team for the past four years, both on JV and varsity tennis teams.
Outside of school, Terala had volunteered at the Monroe Free Library. He has coached tennis at the high school last summer and will continue to coach this summer as well.
No. 25: Jessica Gonzalez-Wu
GPA – 96.3188
“Finding your passion and not being afraid to pursue your passion to achieve your goals.”
Gonzalez-Wu will be attending Columbia University this fall to major in business and English.
During her high school career, Gonzalez-Wu served as editor-in-chief of the Crusader newspaper and the public relations officer of Model UN.
She is also a member of LEAD, the Art Guild, the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is also the founder and leader of “The Insert Name Here Anime” Club outside of school.