Editorial Staff.
During the livestream of the Board of Education meeting on June 9, 2020 at 5:30 p.m., Chairman Suzanne Stack began the program, then quickly passed it over to Superintendent Holly Hageman.
Holly introduced each student, and had them speak up so that the “camera” would focus on them, and at the end of the description of each student, she invited the student to speak. Students thanked teachers, guidance counselors, family, and community, and they all congratulated the other students being recognized.
Below are the descriptions of the Top Ten students of 2020:
Arjun Badami, son of Vivek Badami and Vishnupriya Santhanam of Higganum, is ranked first in the Class of 2020. Arjun is the consummate student and member of the Haddam Killingworth High School Community. Although Arjun is most interested in the humanities, he has taken many of our most challenging classes in all subject areas, including nine Advanced Placement and University of Connecticut Early College Experience courses. Arjun never gives less than his best as a student, and the same is true in other areas of his life. He’s a valued member of our Select Choir and our Drama Club, President of the Current Events Club, Captain of the High School Bowl team, and member of National Honor Society, Student Council, French Honor Society, and the Literary Magazine Club. Arjun is also an HK Ambassador, giving tours and representing our school at dozens of events over the past three years. In addition, Arjun was selected as Haddam Killingworth High School’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference representative and he has been an active participant in that organization for the past two years. Outside of all that he has done within our school, Arjun also interned for a local State Representative, taking on multiple projects including serving as Coordinator for a Young Earner Prosperity roundtable. He has also volunteered as a Camp Counselor-in-Training as well as at various other organizations. This past summer, Arjun found time to take a class on International Politics at Wesleyan University. Arjun will attend Georgetown University in the Fall, where he will study Government.
Zachary “Zach” Houlton, son of Tim and Sabrina Houlton of Higganum, is ranked second in the class of 2020. He achieved this while taking all of his courses at the highest level, including fourteen college-level courses. An incredibly well-rounded person, Zach also excels in several areas outside of the classroom. Zach competes in swimming year round and holds the HKHS record for both the 200 and 500-yard freestyle, as well as the 400-yard Freestyle Relay. Zach was an All-State swimmer for the 200 and 500-yard events for three straight years, and was well on his way to being named an All-American athlete before the season was derailed by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Zach has been involved in other aspects of swimming, such as lifeguarding and coaching a Masters’ Swim Program. In addition, Zach is a very gifted musician who has been named All-State for chorus and volunteers his piano playing skills for several events throughout the community and even wrote an album. Zach has a passion for helping others and spends much of his little free time volunteering, including at a swim program for children with special needs. Zach will attend Williams College this fall where he intends on exploring both his love of Music and Mathematics, where he will also be competing for Williams swim team.
Elijah “Eli” Houlton, son of Tim and Sabrina Houlton of Higganum, is ranked third in the Class of 2020. This accomplishment came with Eli taking all of his courses at the most difficult level and handling the workload with extraordinary poise. Eli also developed a love for language while at HKHS achieving both the Seal of Bi-Literacy in Spanish and Summa Cum Laude recognition on the National Latin Exam. Like his brother, Eli is an avid swimmer claiming several school records and All-State accolades over his HKHS swimming career. When not engaged in studies or swim, including lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons, you will find Eli participating in one of the many other organizations that he is involved with which include being a Class Officer, Math League member, and a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Eli also somehow finds to explore his love of music through playing the flute in HKHS Jazz Band and also volunteers his time playing in the “pit” for school musicals. Eli will be attending Tufts University this fall and will also be competing on their swim team.
Michael “Mike” O’Toole, son of David and Michele O’Toole of Killingworth, is ranked fourth in the Class of 2020. Throughout his time at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Mike has proven to be a remarkable student and athlete. Over the years, he has enrolled in primarily honors and advanced-level courses. Last year as a junior, Mike was recognized with the George Washington Book Award and earned the title of Shoreline Scholar Athlete. Mike is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish Honor Society. He is a member of the HKHS Hockey team as well as the Baseball team and has been a part of both programs since his freshman year. Mike was recognized as First Team All-State and Second Team All-Conference as a defenseman on the HKHS Hockey team. He plays First Base for our Baseball team and was a varsity Co-Captain as a junior and would have maintained this position as a senior. Mike took the opportunity to be a member of One Big Circle, a group in which students with and without disabilities socialize and exercise together this year and has volunteered with his church youth group and worked at a local market during his time in high school. Mike plans to attend The Ohio State University in the Fall of 2020. He intends to study Mechanical Engineering with an automotive focus.
Schuyler Dragoo, daughter of Roy and Eliza Dragoo of Haddam, is ranked fifth in the Class of 2020. Schuyler is an extremely driven student and an active leader within the Haddam Killingworth community. Schuyler has worked to challenge herself throughout high school, taking many Advanced Placement courses along with University of Connecticut Early College Experience classes. Schuyler has a true passion for music. Schuyler has played the violin for 13 years and is a member of the Connecticut Youth Symphony and other ensembles. She also volunteers for a local orchestra, a chamber music program, and shares her talents by playing at retirement homes and a nearby library. She has been involved with the HK Select Choir since Sophomore year and participated in the New England Music Festival and Shoreline Music Festival during her high school music career. Not only is Schulyer a gifted musician, she’s involved in numerous co-curricular activities including; Spanish Honor Society, Current Events Club, Human Relations Club, Principal Hayward’s A team, Math League,HK Ambassadors, and International Culture Club. She’s also a Class Officer. Schuyler has adapted core goals thanks to her participation in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership seminar (HOBY), that she still lives by such as being involved in activities that make her happy and trying to make a positive impact on her community as well as the people around her. Schuyler will be attending University of Chicago this upcoming Fall and majoring in Global Studies.
Lauren Miller, daughter of Raymond Miller and Ivy Alexander of Killingworth, is ranked sixth in the Class of 2020. Lauren is an amazing student, athlete, and person who will be greatly missed at HKHS. Academically, Lauren has taken all of her courses at the highest levels where she truly found a passion for everything STEM-related. Lauren also played both volleyball and tennis while at HKHS and was elected to captain both teams during her senior year! Lauren is a true leader who was President of the School Council, Vice President of the Spanish Honors Society, and an active member of National Honors Society and the Principal’s A-Team. Lauren has also served as one of the Student Representatives to the Board of Education, providing the Board with updates on student activities for the past two years. Along with her commitments to HKHS which keep her busy, Lauren has also been very active in our community and has completed over 200 hours of community service though a multitude of local organizations, including the HKYFS group Ignite. Lauren will be attending the University of Connecticut as a member of their honors program this fall where she plans on majoring in Health Sciences.
Fijare Plous, daughter of Scott Plous of Higganum and Allison Plous of Middletown, is ranked seventh in the Class of 2020. Throughout her time at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Fijare has flourished while taking a rigorous schedule. Over the years, she has enrolled in primarily honors and advanced level courses. During Fijare’s junior year, she was recognized with the UConn Avery Point Coastal/Environmental Book Award. With the help of Ms. Adamczyk, Fijare founded the Tutoring Club, which allows our students to connect in peer-tutoring arrangements, and served as President of the club for the past year. She also started our school’s Pill Bottle Drive, in which she collected empty pill containers to be cleaned and sent to areas of the world in need of medical supplies. Fijare is a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the stage crew for “Bye Bye Birdie” last year. She has also been an HKHS Ambassador since junior year. Fijare was able to attend Semester at Sea spring semester of her sophomore year. This experience provided her the opportunity to circumnavigate the globe on a ship while completing her existing HKHS classes as well as earning college credit. Fijare has earned college credit through UMass Amherst’s summer program as well. Fijare has spent time in the Genetics Labs at UMass and Wesleyan, studying everything from dog fur to common transgenes in vegetables. Fijare’s future plans include attending Brandeis University in the fall. She will be pursuing a degree in Biology with a focus on genetics.
Olivia Herrmann, daughter of Michael and Laura Herrmann of Killingworth, is ranked eighth in the Class of 2020. While at Haddam-Killingworth High School, Olivia has continuously challenged herself with difficult classes including several Advanced and Honors-level classes. Olivia’s teachers frequently comment upon her work ethic and, just as importantly, her willingness to help others in the classroom. Olivia also received the honor of the Seal of Biliteracy and the 2019 Mount Holyoke College Book Award. When Olivia is not studying or at a club meeting you will most likely find her on an athletic field as she was a three-year member of the HKHS field hockey team and a four-year member of the HKHS lacrosse team where she was elected a Co-Captain by her teammates for her senior season. Olivia has also volunteered a multitude of hours doing community service for several different organizations including HK Girls Youth Lacrosse and Hartford Kids Holiday Shopping. Olivia will attend Clemson University in the Fall where she will study Nursing.
Luke Lamontagne, son of Justin and Lisa Lamontagne of Higganum, is ranked ninth in the Class of 2020. While at Haddam Killingworth High School, Luke has shown to be an all-around gifted student with his true passion residing in STEM courses. Luke’s teachers all comment on his diligence and also that he is one of the kindest young men to walk the halls of HKHS. Outside of the classroom, Luke is a valued part of our school community. He is a member of the National Honors Society, a four-year Class Officer, a member of the Principal’s A-Team, and an HKHS School Ambassador leading tours and representing the school at several events since his Sophomore year. Luke also has a love for the sport of soccer and was a four-year member of the HKHS soccer team where his coach comments that his work ethic was unparalleled. This fall, Luke, will be attending Bryant University as a member of their honors program and will be studying Mathematics.
Kaitlin (Katie) Crandall, daughter of Christopher and Marci Crandall of Higganum, is ranked tenth in the Class of 2020. Katie is a student who has always gone the extra mile while keeping a positive attitude. She has taken numerous advanced and honors-level classes. Katie is involved with various activities through our school, including serving as Secretary of the National Honor Society, Manager of the Girls Lacrosse team, member of Spanish Honor Society, and sharing her love of cooking through volunteering with Kids’ Kitchen. She is also an HK student ambassador, offering her time to give tours to incoming Freshman. Outside of school, Katie keeps busy babysitting and working at a local restaurant. Katie was the recipient of the 2019 Student Sage Recognition award for her academic excellence and community involvement. In addition, she has received The Seal of Biliteracy for her fluency in Spanish. This fall, Katie will attend Sacred Heart University and major in Psychology.
Photos by John Steady Photography.
