DOVER—
St. Thomas Aquinas High School of Dover, NH is pleased to announce the 2011 top ten graduates and offer congratulations to them and their families. Following the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the top graduates are listed in alphabetical order.
Anna Whitham, Class of 2011 Valedictorian, is the daughter of Kimberley Herzig-Whitham and Owen Whitham of Stratham, NH. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Anna attended the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. At St. Thomas, Anna earned departmental honors from the Theology Department and from the Chemistry Department; she was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica as a sophomore. She has also been recognized for perfect attendance. Anna’s numerous contributions to St. Thomas include membership in the jazz band, the student tutorial program, as a member of the Spanish Club, and leadership within the Granite State Challenge Team.
Outside of her school community, Anna has volunteered for seven years at the Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham, and for the last two years she has been a volunteer at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Her work at the hospital has solidified her interest in pursuing a medical degree. Anna has been accepted into the Honors Program at Boston College where she will major in Biochemistry.
Michael Fort, Class of 2011 Salutatorian, is the son of William and Susan Fort of Stratham, NH. Michael attended Sacred Heart School in Hampton, NH prior to coming to St. Thomas. Here at St. Thomas, Michael was the recipient of the Math and Latin Departmental Awards. Michael earned second place out of over one hundred seventy classmates in the Junior Class Speech competition. He was recognized as an Advance Placement Scholar with Honors and was the recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. He is a member of the National Honor Society.
Michael earned his first varsity letters in soccer and lacrosse during his tenth grade year. He was a captain of the soccer team this past fall and was selected as the team’s most valuable player. He has been a member of the Seacoast United Soccer association for seven years where he has competed on several state championship teams as well as being a member of the US Soccer Association Development Academy. Michael has served Student Advisory Board since his ninth grade year and was elected Vice President this year. He was a member of the Granite State Challenge Team, which made it to the quarterfinals last fall. He was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Association Camp over the summer following his sophomore year. Mike also volunteers at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Michael is attending Syracuse University where he is enrolled in the Honors Program as a pre-med student. Michael aspires to pursue cardiac surgery and eventually work abroad with Doctors Without Borders.
Julia Dastous, of Salisbury, MA, is the daughter of David and Martha Dastous. Julia is a member of Star of the Sea Parish is Salisbury, MA. Julia attended Immaculate Conception School in Newburyport, MA before coming to St. Thomas.
Julia is a member of the National Honor Society as well as of the Spanish National Honor Society. Julia is a member of the Spanish Club and is a Student Ambassador.
Julia has been an invaluable asset to our athletic program here at St. Thomas. She plays field hockey, softball and basketball. She is also a member of the St. Thomas swim team. Julia earned her varsity letter in field hockey and in softball during her sophomore year. She earned her varsity letter in swimming as a junior. Julia has served as a captain for the softball team for both her junior and senior years. Julia was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award for varsity field hockey and softball.
Julia was accepted to Boston University, Stonehill College, University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Bentley University, Union College and Northeastern University. Julia ultimately chose to attend Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She is looking forward to exploring her many interests while keeping her family and friends close.
Nathan Dunn is the son of Bill and Gabrielle Dunn of Berwick, ME. Nathan attended Saint Elizabeth Seton in Rochester, NH prior to coming to St. Thomas and is parishioner of Holy Rosary Parish, also in Rochester.
For the past two summers, Nathan has participated in a project building a home for those less fortunate through the Habitat for Humanity organization. On both of these work weeks, Nathan took time off from work, with no pay, to volunteer his time to these projects.
Here at St. Thomas, Nathan is a valuable co-captain of the Math Team where he earned a certificate for outstanding performance in geometry. Nathan was the recipient of the Physics and Math Departmental Awards. Nathan participates in the Principals of Engineering course, which runs once per week after school hours.
Nathan is planning to attend University of Maine, Orono where he will study Chemical Engineering.
Sarah Gianino is the daughter of Paul and Lauren Gianino of Eliot, Maine. Sarah went to elementary and middle school at Saint Patrick School in Portsmouth, NH. She is an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington, NH where she serves as an usher and a greeter. Sarah regularly volunteers at Dover Friendly Kitchen. Sarah has traveled to New Orleans and Washington, D.C. to work on various community service projects with her church.
Sarah is a National Merit Commended Scholar and earned the Certificate of Academic Excellence in Spanish thorough the New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers. She was the recipient of the Spanish Departmental Award. Sarah is a member of the National Honor Society and of the Spanish National Honor Society. Sarah studied Japanese Language and Culture in the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul’s School this past summer.
Sarah is an invaluable member of the St. Thomas varsity cross country team and of the spring and indoor track teams. She was named an NHIAA scholar athlete and earned the Coach’s Award in cross country. Sarah is a member of Campus Ministry and is the Co-President of the Spanish Club. She is also a member of the Student Ambassador program. Sarah plays the flute and piano. She has been a member of the St. Thomas women’s choir and concert band. She is also active in dance.
Sarah plans to attend Boston College in the fall where she will study Biology and Psychology.
Melanie Guerin is from Hampton, NH and is the daughter of Nadine and Chaz Guerin. Melanie attended Hampton Academy prior to coming to St. Thomas. She was inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year as well as the Latin National Honor Society. Melanie received the NH World Language Teachers Certificate of Academic Excellence in Latin and the Extracurricular Award for her involvement with the Model UN. During the summer of 2009, Melanie represented St. Thomas at the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference in Sanford, ME. She has contributed to her school community in numerous ways including serving as a Student Ambassador for open houses, visitations, and fundraisers, as well as by participating in the St. Ann Visitation Program.
Melanie has been recognized as a NH Scholar Athlete, lettering in both cross country and skiing.
Another major area of focus and accomplishment for Melanie has been as an equestrian. She has volunteered at the UNH Therapeutic Riding Program and has twice qualified for national participation in the Hunt Seat Equitation Division.
Melanie will attend Northeastern University and pursue majors in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
Pranjal Natu is the son of Drs. Vijay and Neeta Natu of Indore, India. Prior to coming to St. Thomas for his senior year, Pranjal attended the Sri Sathya Sai Viya Vihar in India, and Marshwood High School in South Berwick, ME. Pranjal has contributed remarkably while at St. Thomas. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, and has become an instrumental member of the Robotics, History, and International Clubs. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Pranjal also participated as a dramatist at Marshwood, as well as participating on the Math and Recycling Clubs and the Yearbook Committee. He has been recognized also for his performances in both speech and creative writing competitions in both India and the United States.
Pranjal will pursue a degree in computer science at Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY in the fall.
John (Jack) Pearl is the son of Tim and Laura Pearl of Dover, NH. Before coming to St. Thomas, Jack was home-schooled for his 4th through 8th grade years. He is an active member of the Parish of the Assumption in Dover, where he has served as an altar server throughout his four years of high school.
At St. Thomas, Jack received the departmental award in math in 2008, and the University of Notre Dame Book Award in 2010. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society during his junior year.
In recognition of his achievements in academics and athletics, Jack received the NHIAA & NHADA NH Scholar Athlete Award as well as the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Joe Yukica Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Jack earned three varsity letters in football, culminating in his selection his senior year of Team Captain and 1st Team All-State honors. In the spring, Jack turns his attention to lacrosse. He has earned four varsity letters, was an All-State selection his junior year, and was selected as Team Captain for both his junior and senior years.
Next fall Jack will attend the University Of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN on a 4-year United States Army Scholarship. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Ashley Puffer is the daughter of Lisa and Steve Puffer of Kittery, ME. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Ashley attended St. Mary Academy in Dover, NH. She is active in her parish of St. Raphael’s in Kittery, ME.
Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society (elected during her junior year) and the Spanish National Honor Society. She was recognized by the English Department for achievement following both her 9th and 10th grade years. In her junior year, she was a finalist in the Junior Class Speech competition, and she received the St. Michael’s Book Award. In her senior year, Ashley finished first in the St. Thomas Poetry Out Loud competition, and was an alternate at the State competition. She has been a member of the varsity volleyball team at St. Thomas, and has participated in music ministry, chorus, and orchestra throughout her four years.
For the past eleven years, Ashley has studied violin, and she has been a member of the first violin section of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra for the past three years. This winter Ashley was selected for the All-State Orchestra for the fourth time, and received the Four-Year Award in recognition of this accomplishment.
This fall Ashley will attend the University Of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN where she will major in English.
Matthew Strabone, of Hampton Falls, NH, is the son of Dan and Maryellen Strabone. Matt is active in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Hampton, and he attended Lincoln Ackerman School in Hampton Falls before coming to St. Thomas.
Matt has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, and he has served as president of the Spanish Club at St. Thomas; he is also active in the Political Club and has pursued his interest in politics and law through a summer internship. In addition, Matt has been a recipient of the Varsity Scholar Athlete Award, participating in indoor and outdoor track.
Matt’s principal involvement outside of St. Thomas has been with the St. Vincent DePaul Society where he has volunteered throughout his high school career. He has delivered food packs, approached local merchants for donations, and has served at the St. Vincent’s soup kitchen.
In the fall Matt will begin his study at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management.
Photo caption: Anna Whitham of Stratham is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover. (Courtesy photo)
