Submitted by Jennifer Favalora, Vice Chair, RSD 17 Board of Education
(June 10, 2023) — The Regional School District 17 Board of Education honored the top ten students in Haddam- Killingworth High School’s Class of 2023 at a ceremony held during the Board’s meeting on June 6, 2023 at the HKHS Auditorium.
Honorees (right to left in photo above) are as follows:
- Abigail “Abby” Jones, daughter of Wallace and Jennifer Jones of Killingworth, has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2023. She is an amazing student, writer, artist, musician, and person who will be greatly missed at HKHS. Academically, Abby has taken all of her courses at the highest levels, where she excelled in all areas. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Harvard Book Award and the HOBY Leadership Award. Abby is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and a senior editor of the yearbook, to name a few of the many clubs in which she is actively involved. Musically, Abby plays the oboe, along with being an accomplished vocalist. She has won several awards for her musical talents, both in the school setting and outside the building, where she has been a member of several different choirs and orchestras, including the Elm City Girls Choir and the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble. Abby also has a passion for community service and has compiled more than 400 volunteer hours for a multitude of local organizations including the YMCA Camp Shore, St. Lawrence Church, and the Knights of Columbus. Abby will be attending Brown University this fall.
- Kristen Thebeau, daughter of Ronnie and Robin Thebeau of Haddam, has been named the Salutatorian of the Class of 2023. Kristen has flourished in her time at HKHS, taking on an arduous schedule, including mainly honors and advanced level offerings. She has received numerous awards for her academic achievement, including the Yale Book Award, the George Orwell Award for Excellence in AP English Language and Composition, as well as excellence and leadership awards in various classes dating back to her Freshman year. Kristen is a section leader of the Jazz Band and is proficient with five instruments. Each year throughout her high school career, she has earned recognition with the band at Southern Regionals. Kristen captains and swims for the HKHS girls team with a specialty in the 100 yard backstroke and she has qualified for class championships for three years. Kristen is a member of the Yearbook Club and has held the positions of junior and senior editor. She belongs to the National Honor Society and was voted president of the French Honor Society as a Senior. Additionally, Kristen earned JV second place and has been a state qualifier in the HKHS Math League. Outside of school, she has accrued more than 320 hours of community service and holds the Girl Scout Gold Award. Kristen plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall to major in computer science and minor in astrophysics.
- Sasha Berardino, daughter of Bill and Kerstin (Castine) Berardino of Killingworth, is ranked third in the Class of 2023. Sasha has excelled as a student in a range of subjects during her time at HKHS, demonstrating particular talent in art. This year, Sasha was named the HKHS CAS Art Scholar. She has been recognized within the school for her work in Art, English, and History. Teachers describe her as conscientious and caring and praise her ability to keep an open mind and understand others’ perspectives. Outside of the classroom, Sasha is a member of Student Council and National Honor Society. She also serves as president of the Environmental Club, a role that requires her to spearhead events and fundraisers throughout the year. She is a regular volunteer at the Branford Compassion Club cat shelter and has amassed more than 75 hours of community service. Sasha will attend Marist College, where she will study fashion design.
- Kaleigh Bodak, daughter of Stephen and Katie Bodak of Killingworth, is ranked fourth in the Class of 2023. Kaleigh has set a consistent standard of excellence in the classroom, and will graduate from Haddam-Killingworth High School having taken five Advanced Placement classes, three University of Connecticut Early College Experience courses, and two classes through Middlesex Community College. She is always open to academic challenges and is determined to do her very best. Some of the words used by her teachers to describe her include: honorable, steadfast, and passionate. Kaleigh has left her mark on the HKHS community as well. She has served as captain of the softball, basketball, and volleyball teams and was named to the All-State Softball Team in 2022. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and is a senior editor of the yearbook. Kaleigh will attend Haverford College next year, where she will play softball and is undecided about her course of study.
- Laura Strick, daughter of Erich Strick and Eileen Caples-Strick of Killingworth and Erin Sharp of Florida, is ranked fifth in the Class of 2023. Laura loves to learn and approaches school with a quiet enthusiasm every day. While Laura is a strong student across all subject areas, she has a particular interest in the Humanities. Laura is a gifted writer and thrives in analyzing complex topics. Teachers describe Laura as a perceptive and insightful student who is dedicated to her work. During her time in high school, Laura has received awards for her excellence in English, History, Spanish, and Choir. Laura is a member of the HKHS Select Choir and was in the HKHS performance of The Sound of Music. As a senior, Laura participated in the All-State Music Festival. Laura will attend Middlesex Community College next year, where she plans to study psychology.
- Caroline Conte, daughter of Brian and Katie Conte of Higganum, is ranked sixth in the Class of 2023. Caroline is an extraordinary student and inspiring leader within the HKHS community. She has not only taken and excelled in the most challenging courses HKHS has to offer, but also maintained her diligent participation in numerous extracurricular activities. Caroline is a captain on the soccer team, an HKHS Ambassador, a class officer for the past four years, a participating member of the Spanish Honor Society, vice president of the Community Service Club, Student Council secretary and event coordinator, a member of the DEN Spirit Club, a concert band member, an M3 Mathematics Challenge participant both her junior and senior year, a nominee to attend the HOBY Leadership Conference, and an appointed member of Ms. Hayward’s Advisory Team. Additionally, she excelled as the president of HKHS’s National Honor Society. Within the community, Caroline taught Faith Formation courses to second graders, and has accumulated more than 120 hours of community service. Caroline will bring her exceedingly accomplished student profile to Lehigh University this fall where she will major in mathematics.
- Grace McKenzie, daughter of Merle and Diana McKenzie of Higganum, is ranked seventh in the Class of 2023. Grace is an incredibly well-rounded student who explored all of her core classes at the honors or advanced levels. Along with her academics, Grace has been an active member of several organizations at HKHS. She is the president of the Student Council, a class advisor for the Class of 2023, and an active member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Grace is also passionate about community service. She has organized several school-sponsored blood drives and has accumulated 110 hours of community service. Along with all of her extra-curricular activities, Grace worked several jobs in the food service industry and as a babysitter. She is a true master of time management and will be missed greatly at HKHS. Grace is planning to attend Bryant University this fall to study business.
- Catherine “Catie” Haas, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Haas of Higganum, is ranked eighth in the Class of 2023. Catie has proven to be an exceptional student at HKHS and will finish her high school education completing twelve Honors level courses and eight Advanced Placement courses. Despite such a vigorous course load, she has participated in the National Art Honor Society, the Current Events Club, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Drama Club while accumulating more than 373 hours of community service throughout her high school career. Catie will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall where she plans to double major in psychology and government studies.
- Paige Corcoran, daughter of Todd Corcoran of Killingworth and Dawn Corcoran of Killingworth, is ranked ninth in the class of 2023. Paige has proven to be an excellent leader among her peers. She is a driven student and has challenged herself by completing thirteen Honors courses and seven Advanced Placement courses throughout her high school career. Paige has been a dedicated member and co-captain of the volleyball team and a member of the softball team. Additionally, she serves as president of the Tutoring Club, treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society, treasurer of the National Honor Society, public relations chief of Student Council, a member of the Community Service Club, an HKHS Ambassador, and an appointed member of Ms. Hayward’s Advisory Team. In the fall, Paige will pursue her passion for mechanical engineering at Villanova University.
- Julia Favalora, daughter of Scott and Jennifer Favalora of Higganum, is ranked tenth in the Class of 2023. She is a student who has consistently given all of her effort and one who will make a difference in the world. Julia has taken nine Honors courses and ten Advanced Placement courses throughout her high school career, which exemplifies her academic commitment. She is devoted to giving back to the community and has accumulated more than 194 hours of community service. Julia has been a member of the HKHS varsity soccer team and a captain of the basketball team. She has also been involved in many clubs and positions of leadership, which include serving as president and secretary of the Spanish Honor Society, vice president of Student Council, a Senior Class officer, an appointed member of Ms. Hayward’s Advisory Team, member of the Den Spirit Club, and National Honor Society, and she was a HOBY Leadership Conference attendee. Julia will be attending Providence College in the fall and has not yet decided on a major. Photo by Shawna Goldfarb, RSD 17 Board of Education
