Submitted by Donna Hayward, HKHS Principal.
Michaela Flaherty, daughter of Robert and Cathy Flaherty of Killingworth, has been named the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019 at Haddam Killingworth High School. Throughout her time at Haddam Killingworth High School, Michaela has earned a 4.26 GPA while taking 28 honors and advanced-level courses. Michaela is the recipient of the Harvard Book Award, Superintendent’s Award, Shoreline Outstanding Junior in Mathematics, and the 1st place winner of the Shoreline Writing Contest. Michaela is the President of Current Events Club and the Vice President of Student Council, both of which she has been a member of since 9th grade. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Human Relations Club, and is a class officer. Michaela is extremely involved within her community. She participates in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation (HOBY) and volunteers at Yale New Haven Hospital. Along with volunteering and having a high academic demand, Michaela currently works at Cohen Bagels which she enjoys very much. Although Michaela is currently deciding between colleges, she will be following her passion by majoring in History with a future goal of obtaining a Masters Degree.
Nolan Serbent, son of John and Michelle Serbent of Killingworth, has been named the Salutatorian of the Class of 2019 at Haddam Killingworth High School. Nolan has flourished having taken on an arduous schedule, including 25 honors and advanced-level classes, culminating in a 4.15 GPA. Nolan has received numerous awards for his academic achievement including the HOBY Leadership Award, the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony Award of the University of Rochester, and the Shoreline Outstanding Commitment and Achievement in Social Studies. Lacrosse has always played a prominent role in Nolan’s life. He was the first team-elected junior captain of HKHS boys lacrosse in program history. Nolan is a member of the National Honor Society as well as a leader of our Cougar Den, a group of students who aim to support our sports programs. He is a member of the A-Team, Student Council, Environmental Club, Human Relations Club, and is the Class of 2019 Board of Education Student Representative. In his free time, Nolan relishes expressing himself through the arts. He is an avid writer as well as composer of music. He plays the saxophone among other instruments. Every once in a while you may hear Nolan play the guitar or even the piano. He enjoys the outdoors, as well as spending time with his family and dog. Nolan plans to attend Brown University in the fall of 2019. Although he does not know what he will study, his goal is to exercise his creativity while striving to benefit society in some manner.
