Submitted by Shawna Goldfarb, BOE
Duncan Beauchamp, son of Dejah Beauchamp of Higganum and Christophe Beauchamp of Westbrook, has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2022 at Haddam Killingworth High School. Duncan is a gifted student in all subjects with a particular affinity for the Humanities. Duncan has taken ten advanced-level courses across a range of subjects and has distinguished himself in all of them, with teachers remarking on the unique and well-thought perspectives within his written work. Duncan shines as a member of our school community, as well. He’s a four-year member of our Band program, where he anchors the rhythm section and a member of the Spanish Honor Society and Student Council. Outside of school, Duncan is a member of 4-H, and enjoys writing, hiking, and playing music. Duncan will attend Vassar College next year, where he has not yet decided on a major area of study.
Benjamin (Ben) Williams, son of Christopher and Valerie Williams of Haddam, is Salutatorian of the Class of 2022. Throughout his time at HKHS, Ben has flourished in a highly challenging schedule. Ben has brought a new level of inquiry and interest to mathematics, including serving as a teaching assistant within our school this year. Ben has received numerous awards for his academic achievements including the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award and the HOBY Leadership Award. Ben has been involved in many organizations in his time with us including the Tutoring Club, the Current Events Club, the French Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Student Advisory Board, as well as serving as a Class Leader. Ben is also a Student Representative to the Board of Education. Ben has been a member of the Varsity Soccer and Wrestling teams throughout his four years of high school, serving as Captain of Soccer for two years and Captain of Wrestling for three years. Outside of school, Ben is an avid volunteer, particularly with the organization One Big Circle. Ben plans to attend Dartmouth College in the Fall of 2022. He would like to pursue a degree in Mathematical Data Science.
Yumiko (Yumi) Imai, daughter of Masami & Susan Imai of Haddam, is ranked third in the Class of 2022. Yumi is a tenacious and driven student who seeks out challenges in the classroom. Yumi has taken advanced-level courses in all academic areas and, beyond that, teachers frequently praise her willingness to take risks in the classroom. She is always willing to share an answer or a point of view. Yumi balances this drive with an open, friendly attitude and a willingness to get involved in all aspects of our community. Yumi is Captain of our Soccer and Lacrosse teams (earning First-Team All-Shoreline in both sports), President of the French Honor Society and Current Events Club, Secretary of Student Council, and member of National Honor Society and the Principal’s A-Team. For the past three years, Yumi has been a member of our Select Choir. Yumi is also one of our two student representatives to the Board of Education. Within our local community, Yumi is one of two Student Representatives to HKYFS Board and a member of the IGNITE Youth Coalition. For the past seven years, Yumi has been a student at the Japanese Language School of Greater Hartford. Next year, Yumi will attend Brown University, where she will major in Biology and East Asian Studies.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Flaherty, daughter of Robert & Cathleen Flaherty of Killingworth, is ranked fourth in the Class of 2022. Jackie is a leader in the classroom and in our school community. As a student, her confidence and willingness to speak up has enriched class discussions in eleven advanced-level classes across a diverse range of subjects. Jackie is a Class Leader, Vice President of Student Council, Secretary of Current Events, a member of the Principal’s Advisory team, the National Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society. In addition, Jackie is a member of our Select Choir who qualified for the All-State Choir all four years of high school. She also participated in our production of Beauty and the Beast this year. Jackie was Captain of our Swim Team and is a competitive swimmer year-round who has been named a Connecticut Swimming Scholar Athlete. Next year, Jackie will attend the University of Connecticut and double-major in Marketing and Urban and Community Studies.
Alexis Wettemann, daughter of Bruce and Heather Wettemann of Killingworth, is ranked fifth in the Class of 2022. Alexis has taken honors or advanced-level courses in just about every subject area at HKHS. Alexis demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and leads by example. She was recognized for her consistently strong work with the J.D. Salinger Award for Excellence in English 11 Honors. Alexis is interested in understanding and improving the world around her. She has been a member of the HKHS Field Hockey team since freshman year. Outside of school, Alexis volunteers at a gym which supports at-risk kids aged 8 to 12. Next year Alexis will attend Southern Connecticut State University and major in Nursing.
Olivia Swanson, daughter of Mindi Swanson of Higganum and William Swanson of North Branford, is ranked sixth in the Class of 2022. Olivia possesses an incredible work ethic and ability to listen when others are speaking. She presents with a clear mind, sharp wit, and has always connected to others with ease. Olivia earned the RIT Creativity and Innovation Award her junior year of high school. She has played the saxophone since fourth grade and the violin since seventh grade as well as various other instruments. She has played a role in many clubs and organizations including serving as a yearbook editor, and member of Math League, Drama Club, and Youth in Action. After graduation, Olivia will attend Rochester Institute of Technology and study Applied Mathematics.
Madeline (Maddie) Keithan-Resnick, daughter of Joann Keithan of Higganum and Richard Resnick of Deep River, is ranked seventh in the Class of 2022. Maddie is a well-rounded person both in and out of the classroom. She has excelled in a diverse array of honors and advanced-level classes thanks to her curiosity, insight and work ethic. As a citizen in our school community, Maddie is an All New England singer, Captain of the Field Hockey team, Historian and Media Relations Chair of the Drama Club, President of the Spanish Honor Society, and member of National Honor Society. Outside of school, Maddie volunteers with 4-H and her church, and she has participated in United Girls Choir, a selective regional choir. She also began a summer program for teaching children Spanish at Brainerd Library. Maddie will attend Connecticut College next year, where she will study Music Technology and Hispanic Studies.
Libby Riggs, daughter of Matthew and Tiffany Riggs of Haddam, is ranked eighth in the Class of 2022. Libby is an amazing student, writer, musician, and person who will be greatly missed at HKHS. Libby has taken all of her courses at the highest levels and has excelled in all academic areas. Libby also has a passion for English and the written word. Over the past four years, Libby has won several prestigious awards for her writing talents across the state and nation! Libby is also a very skilled musician who spends several hours a week honing her skills on the saxophone and is a valued member of the school’s Jazz Band. She has a passion for giving back to her community and has been involved with the local Youth and Family Services program for the past three years. She has been an active member of her local Girl Scouts troop since kindergarten, logging more than 700 hours of community service while in high school. Libby is a huge advocate for individuals with disabilities, starting the Disability Advocacy Club at HKHS, as well as starting an international organization called Perceptions, which is a platform that amplifies the voices of teens and young adults with disabilities through various art forms. Libby will be attending Bowdoin College in Maine this Fall where she will study English.
Olivia Wettemann, daughter of Bruce and Heather Wettemann of Killingworth, is ranked ninth in the class of 2022. She has taken on a difficult schedule throughout her time in high school that will undoubtedly prepare her well for the collegiate stage. Olivia has an incredible eye for detail and is always willing to ask questions. She is easy to get along with and, as a result, would work well within any professional environment with human interaction being at the forefront. Olivia earned the Arthur Miller Award for Excellence in English 11 Honors her junior year. Additionally, she has been a participant on our Field Hockey team since freshman year. Outside of the classroom, Olivia volunteers her time with a gym in Middletown that aims to support at-risk kids. Next year, Olivia plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University and major in Psychology.
Kyla Mazzotta, daughter of Vinny and Treena Mazzotta of Haddam, is ranked tenth in the Class of 2022. Kyla has done all of her course work at HKHS at a very high level and has found a true passion for Mathematics. Kyla has also stayed very busy outside of the classroom at HKHS participating in the Human Relations Club, the Den Spirit Club, International Culture Club, and both the National Spanish and Art Honor Societies. Kyla has been a four-year member of the HKHS Varsity Girls Lacrosse program and was selected as a captain for the current 2022 season. Since 2018, CrossFit has been Kyla’s other true passion, as she loves the sense of personal accomplishment she gets from the sport. Kyla will be attending George Washington University in Washington, D.C. this fall where she is planning on studying the field of Statistics.
Photos by Shawna Goldfarb
