Wahconah High Names Top Students for Class of 2020
DALTON, Mass. — Jack Michael Minella and Catherine Patricia Boino have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the 2020 graduating class at Wahconah Regional High School.
Both students will speak at graduation ceremonies on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. on the school athletic fields. The valedictory speech is titled "Memories to Look Forward To" and the salutatory address, "The Magic of Memories."
Minella is the son of Michael and Mary Minella, both of Dalton. While at Wahconah, his academic program included Honors and Advanced Placement coursework.
He was active in the many service projects sponsored by the National Honor Society, a member of the Wahconah Quiz Team and competed for three years on WGBY's "As Schools Match Wits." He was president of the French Club, a member of the Latin Club and editor in chief for the yearbook. He was treasurer for Green Umbrella Environmental Club and founded the Greenhouse Club. Minella also served on the Core Values Committee, and attended the Wahconah Building Visioning Sessions. He was a varsity member of the cross country and track and field teams. In the community, he served as treasurer of the Rotary Interact Club and on the Steering Committee of the Dalton CRA Youth Advisory Board. He has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and represented Wahconah at the Mass STAR Youth Leadership Conference.
In addition to several schoolwide academic recognitions, Minella received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Academic Excellence Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, the New England Math League Certificate of Achievement, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Clarkson Achievement Award, and the Harvard Book Award.
Minella is planning to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's Commonwealth Honors College in the fall to study environmental engineering.
Boino is the daughter of Kevin and Maureen Boino of Dalton. Her academic program at Wahconah included Honors and Advanced Placement coursework, as well as dual enrollment and Virtual High School classes. She was also an active member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club, Tribe Spirit Club, Prom Committee, Powderpuff Football, and Best Buddies. She has assisted with blood drives, orientation and induction activities. She played Wahconah soccer and dedicates many hours to dance. An active community member, Boino provides service through Rotary Interact, Big Buddies / Little Buddies, Buddy Dance and soccer camps. She has volunteered at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and participated in the Doctor for a Day program. Boino also participated in the National Young Leadership Forum in Medicine, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards leadership program, and the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program.
She has received numerous school awards as well as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal for excellence in math and science, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Philanthropic Educational Organization Star Scholarship, and the American Legion Past President's Parley Award.
She will be attending the University of Tampa in Florida, where she has been accepted into the Honors Program in biomedical.
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