Region 7 Board of Ed Congratulates Top 11


WINSTED — Northwestern Regional High School Board of Education members recognized the top 11 students for the 2007 graduating class with a student award presentation and reception at Northwestern’s media center May 23.

Schuyler Thomson, chairman of the school board, announced to students and parents they would be receiving special awards for being top students in the 2007 class and that two students would be awarded the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Leadership Award.

"Each one of us would like to extend best wishes and a proverbial hand shake to each of you," Thomson said as board members congratulated the students, as follows:

Adam Bittell of New Hartford participates on the math team and plays with the school jazz band. He is on the varsity baseball team and plans to be a physical therapy major in college.

Christina Blum, a flute player and Irish step dancer, is ending her education at Northwestern as a junior, with plans to attend Wheaton College as a business major and French minor.

Ryan Duggan is vice president of the student council. He enjoys biology, calculus and mock trials on the academic side. He plays soccer and is a member of the swim team. He plans to attend Fairfield University for biology and pre-med.

Maridel Fredrickson plays in the school band, plays field hockey and was in the All-State New England Music Festival as a top trombonist.

Kelsey Lamoureaux is on student council, plays tennis and volleyball and hopes to attend Northeastern University to study business and marketing.

Class President Ryan LeBlanc enjoys advanced-placement government/politics and being president of the debate team. LeBlanc will attend American University in Washington, D.C.

Mike McCotter is a member of the National Honor Society and the student council. He was also a member of the Northwestern wrestling squad. McCotter is attending the University of Vermont as an education major.

Sam Reed enjoys advanced placement English, government and politics and is an honor student in United States history. He plays soccer, swims and is a member of the track and field team. He will attend Tufts University to study international relations.

Hannah Schleker is a member of the National Honor Society and Northwestern’s Spanish club, math team and yearbook committee. She is also very active in her church. She will attend Providence College in the fall.

Brendan Smith, president of the National Honor Society at Northwestern, assists with the Special Olympics, is co-captain of the baseball team and will attend Clemson University in South Carolina as a pre-med student.

Michelle Traub is a student of United States history and Spanish, who has enjoyed success swimming breaststroke and running track for Northwestern. She helps with Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and Northwestern’s Hope Club. She will attend LaSalle University to study elementary education and Spanish.

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education voted to give two CABE Leadership Awards, to students Ryan Duggan and Kelsey Lamoureaux, for leadership they have demonstrated within the community.

"In the next four, six, 10 years come back and see your teachers," said Thomson. "We would love to see you again."

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