Submitted by Donna Hayward, HKHS Principal.
Michaela Flaherty, daughter of Robert and Cathy Flaherty of Killingworth, is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019 at Haddam Killingworth High School. During her time at Haddam Killingworth High School, Michaela has earned a 4.26 GPA while taking 28 honors and college level courses. Michaela is the recipient of the Harvard Book Award, Superintendent’s Award, Shoreline Outstanding Junior in Mathematics Recognition, and the first place winner of the Shoreline Writing Contest. Michaela is the President of the Current Events Club and the Vice President of Student Council, both of which she has been a member of since 9th grade. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Human Relations Club, and is a class officer. Michaela is extremely involved within the community. She participates in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation and volunteers at Yale New Haven Hospital. Along with volunteering and having high academic achievement, Michaela also currently holds a part time job. Michaela will be attending UCONN in the Fall where she will major in Political Science and minor in Environmental Economics and Policy with a future goal of attending Law School.
Nolan Serbent, son of John and Michelle Serbent of Killingworth, is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2019 at Haddam-Killingworth High School. Nolan has taken on a rigorous schedule, including 25 honors and college level classes, culminating in a 4.15 GPA. Nolan has received numerous awards for his academic achievement including the Hugh Obrien Youth Leadership Award, the Frederick Douglas and Susan B Anthony Award from the University of Rochester, and the Shoreline Conference Outstanding Commitment and Achievement in Social Studies Recognition. Lacrosse has always played a prominent role in Nolan’s life. He was the first ever junior captain of the boys’ lacrosse team at HKHS. Nolan is a member of the National Honor Society as well as a leader of our Cougar Den Spirit Club. He is a member of the Principal’s Advisory Team, Student Council, Environmental Club, Human Relationship Club, and is the Class of 2019 Board of Education Student Representative. In his free time, Nolan expresses himself through the arts. He is an avid writer as well as composer of music. He plays the saxophone among many other instruments. Nolan plans to attend Brown University in the fall of 2019.
Hannah McLeod, daughter of Jeremy and Angela McLeod of Killingworth, is ranked third in the class of 2019. While at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Hannah has continuously challenged herself with difficult classes including 10 AP or ECE UConn classes and 14 honors level classes. Hannah is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Her academic excellence was recognized when she was awarded the 2018 Princeton Book Award. When Hannah is not studying or at a club meeting you will often find her in the pool. She has been a four-year member of the HKHS girl’s swim team and was elected captain during her senior season. Hannah plans to attend Clark University in the Fall where she will study Molecular Biology and continue her swim career.
Matthew Duval, son of Matt Duval of Meriden and Jeanette Glazier of Haddam, is ranked fourth in the Class of 2019. Matt plans to study History and Education in college. He has excelled academically in challenging classes including multiple University of Connecticut Early College Experience and Advanced Placement classes. Matt is currently the Vice President of the International Culture Club where he organizes several events throughout the year. Along with academics, Matt has been involved in the community with the Haddam Lions Club for the past four years where he helps with fundraising. Matt also finds time to work a part-time job while exceling in school. Matt plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University where he was accepted into the Honors program.
Emma Anziano, daughter of Richard and Suzanne Anziano of Killingworth, is ranked fifth in the Class of 2019. Although Emma is most interested in the sciences, she has taken many of the most challenging classes in every subject area, including multiple Advanced Placement, University of Connecticut Early College Experience, and Middlesex Partnership Program courses. Emma balances her academic commitments with many other activities. She is an outstanding runner, culminating in her performance in the State and New England Cross Country Championship meets this year and her eighth place finish in the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Emma is a member of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, and the Art Honor Society. She is the Outreach and Events Coordinator for the HK Backpack program and a volunteer at Catholic Heart Work Camp, One Big Circle, and the Platt Nature Center. Emma has been recognized for her exceptional efforts as a student, athlete, and community member many times throughout the years, including: The Superintendent’s Award and the Yale Book Award. Emma plans to attend Pennsylvania State University where she will study Biology as a member of the Schreyer Honors College.
Nate Carlson, son of Andy and Norene Carlson of Higganum, is ranked sixth in the class of 2019. Throughout his time at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Nate has proven to be a truly talented student. Over the years, he has enrolled in many honors and advanced level courses. In Nate’s junior year he was recognized for excellence in math and science when he was awarded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal. Nate is a member of the National Honor Society, Robotics Club, Current Events Club, Strategic Games Club and the co-president of the Environmental Club. During his time at HKHS Nate has participated on the Boys Cross Country team, Boys Swim team, and Outdoor Track team. He was the captain for both the Swim team and the Cross Country team during his senior year. Nate has a passion for music, and plays the Tenor Saxophone for the HKHS Jazz Band. Outside of school, Nate has been a member of the Boy Scouts since fifth grade, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. In his free time, Nate enjoys lifeguarding for Haddam-Killingworth Park and Recreation. Nate’s future plans include attending the University of Connecticut in the fall where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Gabriella “Gabby” Kulmacz, daughter of Christopher and Dianna Kulmacz of Higganum, is ranked seventh in the class of 2019. While at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Gabby has continuously challenged herself with difficult classes including seven college level and 15 honors level classes. As a junior Gabby was honored with the George Eastman Young Leaders award presented by the University of Rochester. She is currently an active leader in several HKHS groups including the National Honors Society and the Peer Advocate group. Gabby is an avid dancer who has been studying the art form several hours a week for the past 16 years and for the past two summers was part of a Dance Group that won a national championship. Gabby plans to attend the University of Hartford this fall where she will study early childhood education.
Catherine Celano, daughter of Joseph Celano and Leslie Curry Celano of Killingworth, is ranked eighth in the Class of 2019. While Catherine is particularly interested in the humanities, she has excelled academically in a range of challenging classes, including multiple Advanced Placement and University of Connecticut Early College Experience classes. Catherine played Volleyball for both Haddam Killingworth High School and a club team during her high school career. She is Vice President of the Spanish Honor Society, President of Youth in Action, and a member of the Human Relations Club. Last year, Catherine received the Smith College Book Award as recognition for her contributions as a student and community leader. Last summer, Catherine volunteered at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with cancer and has regularly tutored a family from Honduras in English. She works part-time and loves to ride horses, write songs, and create artwork. Catherine will attend Tufts University next year, and plans to study Community Health.
Katherine McGoey, daughter of James and Dawn McGoey of Killingworth, is ranked 9th in the Class of 2019. While at Haddam Killingworth High School Katie has shown herself to be an all-around gifted student taking nine college level classes along with 10 honors level classes. At HKHS Katie is a member of the National Honor Society, a representative on the Student Council, and a member of the Human Relations Club. Outside the halls of High School, Katie finds her passion at the dance studio where she has been a competitive dancer for 12 years, spending an average of over 10 hours a week getting ready for competitions. This fall, Katie is planning to attend the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she will pursue a degree in Elementary and Special Education.
Kyle Criscuolo, son of James and Jessica Criscuolo of Haddam, is ranked tenth in the Class of 2019. Kyle plans to study Computer Science in college, and has prepared himself well by taking Project Lead the Way Engineering classes along with challenging math courses. While Kyle has a specific academic area of focus, he has excelled across disciplines, taking multiple Advanced Placement and University of Connecticut Early College Experience courses in a variety of academic subject areas. Kyle is a dedicated runner and is a leader of the Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. Kyle has served as President of the HK Environmental Club for two years and is the Treasurer of the HK Running Club. Kyle has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester and he was selected to participate in the Connecticut High School Coaches Award Essay Contest. Kyle will attend the University of Connecticut where he plans to study Computer Science and Engineering with a possible minor in Film and Video Production.
Photos by Steady Photography.
