EDUCATION

Oyster River High School announces top 10 students of Class of 2021

Fosters Daily Democrat

DURHAM — Oyster River High School has announced its Class of 2021 top ten Students.

The school, with students from Durham, Lee and Madbury, will be holding its 2021 graduation at 6 p.m. Friday, June 11 on the school's new turf field.

Oyster River held a mask-erade event in place of a prom on May 12.

Here are the top 10 students, listed in alphabetical order

Aaron Hoag

Aaron Hoag

Aaron Hoag, Class of 2021 valedictorian, is the son of Susan and Jonathan Hoag of Lee.  Aaron has been recognized as a NH State Scholar, and a member of the Strings Orchestra as a cello player, in addition to being a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.  Aaron was selected as the recipient of the Yale Book Award, and was a founding member for the ORHS Academic Support Center, providing peer-based tutoring for fellow students.  Aaron earned a second-place finish for his National History Day project on the Stonewall Riots and went on to compete in the National competition.  Aaron is a steward of the environment and shares his passion with youth in the community as a counselor for the Coyote Club Wildlife Education program, as well as volunteering time to assist with the maintenance of various community gardens.

Time to celebrate:Oyster River students make most of Mask-erade, not quite a prom

Having been accepted to Dartmouth College, University of New Hampshire, University of Connecticut, University of Vermont, and University of Maryland, Aaron will attend the University of New Hampshire where he plans to attend the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture to combine his interest in art and the environment.

Maria (Mia) Hricz

Maria (Mia) Hricz

Maria (Mia) Hricz is the daughter of Saskia and Craig Hricz of Durham.  Last Spring, Mia was the recipient of the Saint Anselm Book Award for academic achievement and is a NH State Scholar with a STEM emphasis.  Mia is a member of the varsity soccer and track and field teams, participates on the unified basketball team, and is a member of the ORHS Best Buddies chapter.  Mia is an active member of her youth group, often volunteering time to serve her community.  Mia is an avid baker and can often be found enjoying nature through skiing, biking or hiking.

Having been accepted to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, and Boston College, Mia will attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to pursue her goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Hannah Jeong

Hannah Jeong

Hannah Jeong is the daughter of Sarah and Kyung-Jae Jeong of Durham.  Hannah was named the recipient of the Clarkson University Achievement Award and earned the Scholastic Arts Award Gold and Silver Key as well as Honorable mention.  Hannah was awarded the Anthony Quinn Foundation Summer Intensive Art Program Scholarship and is a NH State Scholar with a STEAM emphasis.  Hannah is the proud owner of an Etsy portrait business, and volunteers readily with the UNH Art Summer Camp.

Having been accepted to Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, Parson’s School of Design, Massachusetts College of Arts & Design, Tufts University, University of New Hampshire, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Hannah will attend Rhode Island School of Design in the Experimental Foundational Studies program.

Matthew Laliberte

Matthew Laliberte

Matthew Laliberte, of Madbury, is the son of Susan and Michael Laliberte. While at Oyster River, Matthew was identified by faculty for his high achievements in STEM academics and a dedication to leading other students through innovative community service and after-school activities. He was the recipient of the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, as well as the Excellence in Mathematics Award from the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics. Mr. Laliberte will graduate as a New Hampshire Scholar, with an emphasis in STEM, in June. Matt has masterfully fulfilled the role of editor for the recently revived Oyster River Television program (ORTV) and is treasurer of the school’s chapter of National Honor Society. He is also a dedicated employee at Market Basket, and remarkably found the time to earn his certified Private Pilot License – flying out of Hampton Airfield.

Acceptance letters were received from Jacksonville University, University of North Dakota, Southern New Hampshire University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Aspiring to become a commercial airline pilot, Matt will attend Auburn University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Flight with a minor in business.

Roshnni Rajkumar

Roshnni Rajkumar

Roshnni Rajkumar is the daughter of Umamageshwari Thangavelu and Rajkumar Angamuthu Rajendran of Durham. She is a member of the French Honor Society and was the recipient of both the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Book Awards. She will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with a STEM emphasis.

Roshnni is active and talented outside of the classroom as well. She is particularly interested in social justice and is involved in both activism and volunteerism on a regular basis. Additionally, she is co-captain of our debate club. She has a love of music and plays the guitar, drums, and piano.

Having gained admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst, Brandeis University McGill University, University of Toronto, and the University of New Hampshire, Roshnni will be attending Fordham University’s Lincoln Center as an international studies major.

Megan Schmidt

Megan Schmidt

Megan Schmidt is the daughter of Kim and David Schmidt of Durham.  She was the recipient of the Wells College 21st Century Leadership Scholar Award and will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with a STEM emphasis. Outside of the classroom, Megan has committed herself fully to her dancing. She competes in a multitude of forms, including jazz, contemporary, acro, and ballet.

Having gained admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Clarkson, University of Connecticut, and University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Megan will be attending the University of New Hampshire, where she will major in engineering.

Maria Shuba

Maria Shuba

Maria Shuba is the daughter of Svetlana and Roman Shuba of Lee. She is a member of the French Honor Society and was the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Science Award and the Rensselaer Medal Award. She will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with a STEM emphasis. Her involvement, commitment, and success extend well beyond the classroom, as she is a member of the swim team, math team, debate club, Red Cross club and prom committee.

Having gained admission to the University of New Hampshire, University of Rochester, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Maria will be attending Boston College to pursue a degree in Applied Physics.

Ella Stasko

Ella Stasko

Ella Stasko is the daughter of Michael Stasko and Carla Wiles-Stasko of Durham. She is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Art emphasis. Ella is a twelve-season athlete; she is the Captain of the Cross-Country team and has additionally been a member of both Winter and Spring Track. She was recognized at the State level as a scholar athlete and is a member of our Student Athlete Leadership Team. Ella also finds time to hold a part-time job.

Having gained admission to the University of New Hampshire, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Syracuse University, she will be attending the University of Vermont, where she intends to major in psychology.

Calla Tucker

Calla Tucker

Calla Tucker, Class of 2021 salutatorian, is the daughter of Corinna and Greg Tucker of Lee. She is a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award and will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with a STEM emphasis. Calla has pursued her athletic and volunteer endeavors with the same energy, enthusiasm, and skill as her academics. She has been a member of our varsity soccer team for four years, taking on the leadership role of Captain in both her Junior and Senior year. Calla has also been recognized as part of the All-State team. Additionally, her volunteer work has been both broad and extensive.

Having gained admission to Penn State, University of Rochester, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Calla will be attending Purdue University’s Engineering program, as she intends to become a biomedical engineer.

Mica Wishengrad

Mica Wishengrad

Mica Wishengrad is the daughter of Jeanne and Steve Wishengrad of Durham. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the St. Michael’s College Book Award and the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit. Mica will receive the distinction of New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Art emphasis. She is the operations manager of The Pearl (ORHS’s creative arts magazine), a member of the math club and works as a junior role player at Strawberry Banke. Additionally, she is competitive in archery.

Having gained admission to Brandeis, Mt. Holyoke, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Smith College, and Washington and Lee University, Mica will be attending Hamilton, where she will double major in Chemistry and Mathematics & Statistics.