Hoosac Valley Names 2009 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

03:34PM / Thursday, June 11, 2009

Valedictorian Holly Bednarz	Salutatorian Laura Russett

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School has named the top two students for the class of 2009.

This year's valedictorian is Holly Bednarz of Adams; Laura Russett, also of Adams, has been named salutatorian.

Bednarz is the daughter of John and Karen Bednarz. At Hoosac, she was a member of the LEO Club, a Student Council representative who served as president her senior year, and a member of the Susan B. Anthony Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Her outside interests include 10 years as a member of the Berkshire Dance Theatre, at which she has danced ballet, tap, jazz, modern and pointe.

As a junior, she was the recipient of the Dartmouth Book Award, the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Alec Frese Memorial Modern Scholarship and the Cecchetti Ballet Exam Award.

Bednarz will attend Boston University in the fall to major in physical therapy.

Russett is the daughter of Larry and Jane Russett. While at Hoosac, she was a member of the Dance Competition Team, the LEO Club, serving as director her senior year, a Student Council representative, and a member of the Susan B. Anthony Chapter of the National Honor Society.

As a junior, she was the recipient of the Clarkson University Book Award, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Book Award and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Russett will attend Springfield College in the fall, also to major in physical therapy.

Commencement exercises will be held on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium.