Sixty-nine students from the graduating class of 2009 on May 12 were named Secretary of Education Scholars, representing all 33 public and charter high schools in Delaware. The scholars program, first introduced under then-state Superintendent Dr. William Keene honors seniors for their outstanding commitment not only to academics but to their communities as well.
Each year, principals are asked to submit to the Department of Education the names of their exemplary scholars based on a record of academic excellence as well as a strong commitment to community service. Depending on the size of student enrollment at each high school, principals can identify between one and four students for the award.
Twelve students from four local schools districts — Caesar Rodney, Capital, Lake Forest, Polytech — and the Campus Community Charter School, were among those recognized.
“I applaud the efforts of these outstanding young men and women for what they have done for themselves and for their community,” said Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery.
“From achieving great academic success to volunteering their time at area hospitals and faith organizations to mentoring underprivileged children and working the Special Olympics, our scholars have demonstrated ‘service above self’ over and over again,” Lowery said. “Each scholar has achieved incredible success that will pave the way for a bright future.”
Due to budget cuts, however, the annual scholars dinner was not held this year.
Cameron Spencer Olezene
School: Caesar Rodney High School.
Parents: Gregory and Deborah Olezene of Camden.
Activities and honors: National Achievement Scholar, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society.
College plans: to attend the University of Pittsburgh.
Intended field of study: Pharmacy.
What is your dream job and why? It would be to train dolphins at Sea World. There would be nothing better than getting paid to play with the dolphins.
Hobbies and Interests: My favorite hobbies are making and designing clothes, listening to music and playing basketball. My favorite interests are biology, economics and Spanish.
What is your best memory about being in high school?: When I traveled to Reno, Nev., for Nationals for Business Professionals of America. I had a lot of fun, learned how to golf, saw a lot of amazing sights, and won first place in the country in payroll accounting.
Lauren Nicole Saxton
School: Lake Forest High School.
Parents: Harry and Delane Saxton of Felton.
Activities and honors: Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence; Delaware Women’s Alliance for Sports and Fitness Most Promising Female Athlete; First Team All Conference, Honorable Mention All State Field Hockey.
College plans: to attend the University of Delaware.
Intended major or field of study: Engineering.
What is your dream job and why? I would love to be an entrepreneurial professional engineer — what could be better than owning your own company and working with cutting edge technology?
Hobbies and interests: I enjoy many activities including running, field hockey, equestrian sports, reading, writing and spending time with friends and family.
What is your best memory about being in high school? I have really enjoyed my high school experience, learning and spending time with friends. One of my favorite memories of high school was traveling to Costa Rica on spring break with a portion of my Spanish class. It was a once in a lifetime trip that introduced me to a whole new country and culture and it is something I will never forget.
Elise Noelle Prisco
School: Dover High School.
Parents: Ronald and Lisa Prisco of Dover.
Activities and honors: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Swimming, Bausch and Lomb Science Award.
College plans: to attend the University of Richmond.
Intended major or field of study: Biology.
What is your dream job and why? As of now, I do not have a dream job. Obviously I am looking for something that I will find success in and enjoy. I am interested in many fields, such as the environment and medicine. Hopefully college will enlighten me to new experiences and I will discover my dream job.
Hobbies and interests: Marching and Concert Band (Flute); Girl Scouts; Chorus; Lifeguarding.
What is your best memory about being in high school? My best memory came when the soccer team advanced to the second round of the tournament. We had worked really hard as a team to get to that point. Although confronted with a loss, we picked up our heads this year and have another chance at it.
Kathleen Mary ‘Katy’ Jarrell
School: Campus Community High School
Parents: Jerry and Christine Jarrell of Dover.
Activities and honors: Volunteering on a medical mission to the Philippines to provide surgical care to underprivileged patients; playing varsity soccer and field hockey; and participating in Tufts University’s Adventures in Veterinary Medicine.
College plans: to attend the University of Vermont.
Intended major or field of study: Biology/pre-med.
What is your dream job and why? My dream job is to be a surgeon. Originally, my plan was to become a veterinarian but I changed my mind after I went on a medical mission to the Philippines. While I was there, I got to assist in several surgeries and realized how much I enjoyed being in the operating room.
Hobbies and interests: I enjoy reading, traveling, photography and playing sports such as field hockey and soccer.
What is your best memory about being in high school? I’ve gotten to meet a lot of great people, explore my opportunities and discover my life goals.
Michael David Watson
School: Caesar Rodney High School.
Parents: David and Deborah Watson of Magnolia.
Activities and honors: Governor’s School for Excellence; National Honor Society, Eagle Scout.
College plans: to attend the University of Pittsburgh, University Honors College, Swanson School of Engineering.
Intended major or field of study: Bioengineering/pre-medicine major.
What is your dream job and why? To be an interventional cardiologist; it would allow me to combine engineering with medicine in an exciting procedural-based specialty.
Hobbies and interests: Playing and watching football; playing trumpet in the concert and jazz bands; and hanging out with my friends.
What is your best memory about being in high school? Playing as the kicker on the Caesar Rodney football team and wining the Division I State Football Championship.
Violet Abigail Kiesel
School: Lake Forest High School.
Parents: Jim Kiesel of Bear and Jan Kiesel of Felton.
Activities and honors: Governor’s School for Excellence participant; Washington College Book Award winner; AAUW Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.
College plans: to attend the University of Delaware.
Intended major or field of study: Biological sciences.
What is your dream job and why? Being a pastry chef would be an amazing job as baking is one of my favorite things to do. I love creating things that can make people happy. I intend to pursue a medical career, however, possibly to be a medical examiner.
Hobbies and interests: My favorite hobbies include running, baking and, of course, spending time with my friends. I am interested in mathematics and human psychology. I like learning about a wide range of topics.
What is your best memory about being in high school? High school cannot be defined by a single moment; it is the compilation of every memory that has made it amazing.
Kaitlynn Marie Raymond
School: Polytech High School.
Parents: Chuck and Robin Raymond of Dover.
Activities and honors: Lead role as Sandy in the Polytech production of “Grease;” participating in the Polytech Colorguard; and getting Student of the Month in the Health and Services Academy of April 2009.
College plans: To join the U.S. Army to study nursing.
What is your dream job and why? Being a nurse because I love taking care of people and giving them the best quality of life I can.
What are your hobbies and interests? Reading, swimming, running, traveling, Colorguard.
What is your best memory about being in high school? When I was the lead in the play and on the opening night, I got laryngitis. However, I still pulled through with the help of everyone else in the play and even though it wasn’t my best performance, I didn’t give up.
Hannah Sophia Ostroff
School: Dover High School.
Parents: Marc Ostroff and D. Sarah Ostroff of Dover.
Activities and honors: Michael C. Ferguson Awards (DHS record five scholarships for DSTP performance); Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
College plans: to attend the College of William and Mary.
Intended major or field of study: Dual major in performing arts and journalism/political science.
What is your dream job and why? It would be to star in a Broadway production. I know it is completely unrealistic, but I cannot imagine anything better than the chance to be on stage, performing every night.
Hobbies and interests: I enjoy singing and acting, which I’ve done most recently with Dover High School’s chorus and theater departments. I also am in the band and the Rolling Thunder Drumline. I’m active in politics and the High School Speech and Debate program.
What is your best memory about being in high school? My fondest memories are from the theater productions I have been a part of. I have gained so many wonderful friends, and love the rush of exhilaration that goes along with putting on a show.
Katherine McClements Pierce
School: Dover High School.
Parents: Barry Pierce of Dover and Nancy McClements of Dover.
Activities and honors: Swimming, Speech and Debate, Science Olympiad, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Award for Humanities and Social Sciences, Dartmouth Book Club Award, AAUW Math and Science Award.
College plans: to attend the University of Virginia.
Intended major or field of study: Undecided.
What is your dream job and why? Although I have not decided on an academic field, there are many jobs I can picture myself having. One that would satisfy many of my interests is a career in law. Ideally, I would like to work practicing a branch of law that allows me to also explore the growing technological or scientific field in today’s society, rather than entirely traditional or criminal law.
What are your hobbies and interests? I enjoy playing sports such as swimming and soccer, but also enjoy participating in band, debate, National Honor Society and other activities. When I have free time, I love to read. I also spend as much of my summers as I can going to the beach and sailing.
What is your best memory about being in high school? It would be impossible to narrow high school down to a single memory. I have had a great time through everything that I have done. From happiness after winning sporting events, to shared fun on band trips, to model congresses I wished would never end, and to long nights with friends that I will never forget, high school has been an experience with many great parts that I will miss.
Philip Lyman Livingston
School: Caesar Rodney High School.
Parents: Phil and Karen Livingston of Magnolia
Activities and honors: Boy’s State, Eagle Scout, varsity sports (baseball and football).
College plans: to attend the University of Delaware.
Intended major: Bachelor of Science in Economics.
What is your dream job and why? President of the United States or chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Hobbies and interests: Baseball, football, politics, C-Span viewing, mock trial, economics, relaxing with friends, history, old Monty Python skits.
What is your best memory about being in high school? Winning a state championship with the best teammates a player could ask for.
Christopher William Hartung
School: Caesar Rodney High School.
Parents: William and Patricia Hartung of Magnolia.
Activities and honors: Boy Scouts, Academic Bowl, Math League, National Honor Society.
College plans: to attend the University of Delaware.
Intended major or field of study: computer science.
What is your dream job and why? Robotics design. I have always had a fascination with this area, and I am intrigued with the possibilities for the future.
Hobbies and interests: sports, video games and chess.
What is your best memory about being in high school? Attending my senior prom and hanging out with my friends.
Kathryn Marie Kelly
School: Polytech High School.
Parents: John and Laura Kelly of Dover.
Activities and honors: Member of the Delaware Youth Philanthropy Board; Polytech Drama Club: Anita in “West Side Story,” Cha-Cha in “Grease,” and presently, Sarah in “Guys and Dolls”; dancer in the Delaware Ballet and student and teacher at the Central Delaware Dance Academy; National Honor Society.
College plans: to attend Sarah Lawrence College.
Intended major or field of study: Creative Writing and Film Studies.
What is your dream job and why? If I could pick any job, it would probably be being a staff writer for “The Office.” It is such a hilarious, intelligent show, and I have always admired that it is entertaining but also thought provoking, satirical and realistic in human behavior.
Hobbies and interests: I have been dancing since I was three years old doing everything from ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical, and dance is a major part of my life. I love music, movies, and writing. It sounds really cheesy, but I feel at home when I am onstage. Whether it is acting, singing, or dancing, it just feels right to be up there. In addition, I enjoyed being a member of the Delaware Youth Philanthropy Board because I was able to affect my community, and that has made me want to volunteer on a larger scale and persuade others to do the same.
What is your best memory about being in high school? That would probably be my AP U.S. History class. It was such a challenging course, and the students and teacher, Mr. Bittner, were really passionate about learning and discussing history and politics, and how that has affected our past and future. I now feel that I am better equipped to handle life as an academic and active citizen.
