By DOMENIC POLI
Recorder Staff
ORANGE — Like their predecessors last year, the graduates of Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s Class of 2017 attended commencement Friday evening with enriched minds and heavy hearts.
Principal Scott Hemlin made sure to request a moment of silence for Devon Renae Wright, who would have been sitting with her classmates in the James S. Woodward Athletic Complex were it not for her unexpected death in 2009, when she was 11. The Class of 2016 remembered classmate Miranda Berry, who had died six years earlier.
Hemlin also acknowledged Wright’s family in attendance, including Aaron Zavier Wright, who sat alongside his fellow graduates.
All 128 graduates donned gender-neutral blue caps and gowns, one half of their school’s colors — blue and red.
Keynote speaker and alumna Lauren Cerillo noted the attire, calling it progressive. The top two students were Kacy Jordan Ninteau and Yunjung Seo.
Graduates
Elijah Evan Ahlstrom, Alissa Page Alden, Hunter George Apteker, Caitlyn Nicole Arsenault, Connor Alyre Arsenault, Elizabeth Amber Bacigalupo, Ethan Patrick Barbato, Mikell Jillian Barnes, Levi Hiatt Baruch, Gabriel David Beauvais, Justin Randall Bratcher, Hannah Marie Britt, Hunter Joseph Brouillet, Branden Tyler Burke,
Bryce James Cleveland, Gwendolyn Franciska Conrod, Naomi Hannah Shtulman Cope, Yvonne Casey Deegan, David Richard Dexter, Ryan Michael Dube, Deanna Eve Dudley, Zachary Hunter Duguay, Alyssa Noel Dumonsau, James Raymond Duteau Jr., Serenity Rose Eastman, Devyne Joseph-Paul Galvin, Austin Michael Gelinas, Zachary Charles Geyster, Joseph Scott Gillis, Sydney Laura Goguen, Graham Holland Green, Isaiah Joseph Greene, Joseph Raymond Hache, Roger Warren Hamlett Jr., Sierra Lynn Harris, Chelsy Ryan Haydocy, Matthew Brian Herk, Andrew Charles Hill,
Kadie Ellen Jillson, Kelsey Erin Killay, Jacob Morgan Lacasse, Rachel Maureen Latwis, Aria Marie Sorenson Leelyn, Taylor Jordan Legare, Zoe Lehtomaki, Kelsie Danielle Lyman-Meade, Samantha Jean MacDonald, Joshua Howard Major, Chad Sebastian Marcoux, Jordan Leigh Martin, Damon Micheal Mitchell, Patrick Theodore Murnane, Amberlyn Marie Newton, Kacy Jordan Ninteau, Brian Scuturo Nye, John Scuturo Nye, Joslyn May O’Brien, Gabriel Russell O’Lari, Jonathan Vincent Thomas Oakes, Isabella Marie Quattrucci, Robyn Emma Tucci Rau, Issak Andrew Reinikainen, Miller Alan Richardson, Olivia Rose Sanderson, Nicholas Michael Segalla-Stafford, Yunjung Seo, Andrew Michael Simmington,
Mckenzie Rose Tenney, Laine Dennis Thompson, Robert Juan Velez, Cassidy Carmella Verheyen, Dylan James Walker, Lauryn Marie White, Aaron Zavier Wright, Lorin Elizabeth Wypych, Nicholas Jay Allard, Benjamin Lea Almeida, Joelle Marie Austin, Jonathan Matthew Blouin, Brendon Paul Boulanger, Leah Tristen Breen, Legacy Ann Marie Brooks, Daniella Porto Caetano, Mary Grace Daly, Mia Isabella Defalco, Victoria Grace Duprey, Dustin Michael Estelle, Kimberly Rose Favreau, Sarah Elizabeth Haynes, Michael Anthony Hidalgo Vergara, Sydney Justine Hudson, Nicholas Alexander Kapp, Julianna Angela Ladd, Julia Rose Marie Mangiacotti, Melinda Christine Martin, Sabrina Jean Martin, Sasha Analiese McCraney-Montalvo, Sharie Ann Melendez, Angela Marie Nicoli, Taylor Iola Putnam,
Alexandria Constance Ridlon, Zachary Scott Riley, Scott Robert Russo, Rebecca Schlier, Eden Marie Shaveet, Jareth Drake Skelton, Dylan John Tambolleo, Zachariah David Tancrell, Maurisa Ashton Weld, Rachel Marie Wyman, Cassandra Teresa Cardillo, Natalie Anne Chretien, Maris Jane Clement, Alison Grace Germagian, Olivia Patrice Gianakis, Benjamin Morgan Gilmore, Zoe Hope Hammond, Aaron Bradley Kenney, Faith Kurtz, Rachel Marie Lundgren, Nathan Aaron Pierce, Cameron Jon Raymond, Michael Tadeusz, John Sadowski, Alicia Rose Schiller, Jason Tovar Martinez, Rachel Celina Vargeletis, Gabrielle Susan Walker.
Scholarships
202 Street Hockey Association: James D. Rockefeller Memorial Scholarship: Matthew Herk. AARP ATHOL AREA/MT. GRACE CHAPTER 3673: Hunter Apteker. Athol Masonic Charity and Educational Society Scholarship: Joslyn O’Brien. Athol/Orange Fraternal Order of the Eagles Auxiliary 4545: Chelsy Haydocy, Miller Richardson. Athol/Orange Rotary Club Scholarship: Hunter Apteker, Jordan Martin.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46 Scholarship: Matthew Herk and Zachary Duguay. Don Maynard Memorial Scholarship: Hunter AptekerFriends of Athol Hospital: Joslyn O’Brien and Kadie Jillson. Janine Holston Memorial Music Scholarship: Naomi Cope. John S. Jenkins Memorial Scholarship: Zachary Duguay, Joslyn O’Brien and Isabella Quattrucci. Kessler Investments Scholarship: Matthew Herk. Kyle G. Flood Scholarship at the Community Foundation of North Central Mass.: Yunjung Seo. Kyle G. Flood Theatre Scholarship: Brandon Burke, Jordan Martin and Aria Leelyn. Mahar Key Club Timothy Donelan Memorial Scholarship: Kelsey Killay and Yunjung Seo. Mahar National Honor Society Scholarship in Memory of Harold Torstensen: Naomi Cope, Joslyn O’Brien and Hunter Apteker.
Mahar National Junior Honor Society Scholarship: Kacy Ninteau and Austin Gelinas. Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation Scholarship: Mikell Barnes. Neil R. Burnham Memorial Scholarship: Zachary Duguay, David Dexter, Joslyn O’Brien and Mckenzie Tenney. New Salem Academy Scholarship: Hunter Apteker, Brandon Burke, Sierra Harris, Matthew Herk, Kadie Jillson and Rachel Latwis. New Salem Academy Michael Tatistcheff Memorial Scholarship: Graham Green. New Salem Scholarship Fund: Hunter Apteker, Kadie Jillson and Rachel Latwis. North Quabbin Chapter No. 340 Vietnam Veterans of America Scholarship: Matthew Herk and Zachary Duguay. Orange American Legion Post No. 172 Scholarship: Zachary Duguay, Matthew Herk, Nicholas Segalla-Stafford and Hunter Apteker.
Orange Elementary Teachers’ Association Scholarship: Hunter Apteker. Orange Fireman’s Relief Association Scholarship: Austin Gelinas and Jordan Martin. Parents for Mahar Students Group Inc. Scholarship: Kadie Jillson, Jordan Martin, Graham Green and Zachary Duguay. Paula A. Joly Memorial Scholarship: Yunjung Seo. Petersham Agricultural Association Scholarship: Zachary Duguay. Petersham American Legion Post No. 415 Scholarship: Zachary Duguay, Joslyn O’Brien and Isabella Quattrucci. Petersham Ethan Clark Memorial Scholarship: Joslyn O’Brien and Isabella Quattrucci. Petersham Police Association Scholarship: Joslyn O’Brien and Zachary Duguay. Polish American Citizens Club Scholarship: Zachary Geyster and Michael Sadowski.
Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts: Hunter Apteker. Strength Through Adversity Scholarship in Memory of Shirley Hebert: Zachary Duguay and Roger Hamlett Jr. The Helen and Remo Cellana Charitable Scholarship: Hunter Apteker, Branden Burke, Kadie Jillson, Kacy Ninteau and Joslyn O’Brien. Theo Bennett Wendell Library Service Award: Aria Leelyn. Tully City Council Scholarship: Alyssa Dumonsau and Samantha MacDonald Wheelerville Community Club Scholarship: Lauryn White. Winchendon Kiwanis Club Scholarship: Mckenzie Tenney. Women of the Moose Chapter No. 316 Scholarship: Kadie Jillson.
Awards Night
Participation in the Archery Club: Devyne Galvin. Excellence in AP Studio Art: Levi Baruch. Excellence in Studio Art Honors: Naomi Cope. Achievement in Studio Art: Samantha MacDonald. Seuss Award: David Dexter. Achievement in 2D Art:Bryce Cleveland. Excellence in Digital Photography: Robyn Rau. Excellence in 3D Art: Joe Gillis. Achievement in 3D Art: Jordan Martin, Lauryn White. Supporting Autism Awareness: Andrew Hill. Excellence in Accounting: Aaron Wright. Excellence in Creative Writing: Justin Bratcher.
Participation in Fish ‘N Game Club: Austin Gelinas. Excellence in History: Hunter Apteker, Caitlyn Arsenault, Levi Baruch, Brandon Burke, Gwendolyn Conrod, Naomi Cope, Yvonne Deegan, David Dexter, Zachary Duguay, Zachary Geyster, Graham Green, Kadie Jillson, Aria Leelyn, Jordan Martin, Kacy Ninteau, Joslyn O’Brien, Isabella Quattrucci, Nicholas Segalla-Stafford, Yunjung Seo, McKenzie Tenney. History Book Award: Levi Baruch, Branden Burke, Naomi Cope. JETS (Junior Engineering Technological Society): Participation for 1 year: Graham Green. Participation for 2 years: Yunjung Seo. Participation for 3 years: Kacy Ninteau.
Excellence in AP Calculus & AP Statistics: Kacy Ninteau, Aaron Wright. Excellence in Pre:Calculus: Caitlyn Arsenault, Naomi Cope Austin Gelinas, Jordan Martin. The National School Choral Award: Caitlyn Arsenault. Participation in Peer Mediation: Levi Baruch. Participation in Training Active Bystanders 3 years: Levi Baruch, Naomi Cope, Patrick Murnane, Kacy Ninteau, Participation in Training Active Bystanders 1 year: Taylor Legare, Yunjung Seo.
All A’s in every quarter in high school for Health: Aaron Wright. All A’s in every quarter in high school for Physical Education: Hunter Apteker, Levi Baruch, Branden Burke, Zachary Duguay, Roger Hamlett, Samantha MacDonald, Damon Mitchell, Nick Segalla: Stafford, Lauren White. All A’s in every quarter in high school for Physical Education & Health: Naomi Cope, Austin Gelinas, Jordan Martin, Kacy Ninteau, Joslyn O’Brien, Isabella Quattrucci, Yunjung Seo, McKenzie Tenney. Perseverance in the PM Program: Sydney Goguen. Principal’s Award for Special Achievement: Hunter Apteker, McKenzie Tenney. Excellence in AP Biology: Kacy Ninteau. Excellence in AP Environmental Science: Austin Gelinas, Graham Green. Excellence in Chemistry: Graham Green, Kacy Ninteau, Aaron Wright. Honors in Plant Science: Aaron Wright. Golden Hammer Award: Jonathan Oakes. Excellence in Student Leadership and Student Government: Kacy Ninteau.
Outstanding Achievement in Student Leadership and Student Government: Yunjung Seo. Student Government Day 2017-Excellence in Student Government: Kacy Ninteau. Technology Student Help Desk Award: Gwendolyn Conrod, Aaron Wright. Academic Dedication Award in French: Caitlyn Arsenault. Excellence in French Award: Zachary Geyster. Language Comprehension Award in Spanish: Jacob Lacasse. Culture Award in Spanish: Naomi Cope. Character and Perseverance Award in Spanish: David Dexter. American Sign Language Award: Robyn Rau. Excellence in Yearbook Design: Sierra Harris Key Club Outstanding Citizenship: Kacy Ninteau, Hunter Apteker. Key Club Outstanding Sportsmanship: Kadie Jillson, Zachary Geyster. Key Club Outstanding Athletes: McKenzie Tenney, Bryce Cleveland. Trophies, Key Club Members: Hunter Apteker:membership for 4 years and trophy for Outstanding Achievement with 120 service hours this year. Branden Burke: membership for 1 year. Zachary Duguay: membership for 4 years. Graham Green: membership for 3 years and trophy for Outstanding Achievement with 116 service hours this year. Kadie Jillson: membership for 4 years. Rachel Lundgren: membership for 4 years. Jordan Martin: membership for 3 years and trophy for Outstanding Achievement with 120 service hours this year. McKenzie Tenney: membership for 3 years. Yunjung Seo: membership for 2 years. Key Club Timothy Donelan Memorial Award: Kelsey Killay, Yunjung Seo. Worcester Telegram & Gazette Student Achievement Award: Kacy Ninteau.