Meet Dover High School's top 10 graduates in Class of 2023

DOVER — Dover High School has announced the top 10 graduates in the Class of 2023.

Here's a look at each students' accomplishments and future plans, as provided by the school:

Riley Johnston

Riley Johnston, son of Kate and Rob Johnston, is graduating as valedictorian of Dover High School’s class of 2023. During his time in high school, Riley has been involved in various extracurricular activities such as Seacoast United Soccer, GCFC Soccer, Dover High varsity soccer and volleyball teams, Unified basketball and volleyball teams, National Honor Society (president), Class of 2023 Officers (treasurer), and lastly – but possibly most importantly – Ping Pong Club. Riley won the Jae S. Lim Science Award for excellence in science, and the Saint John Michael’s Book Award during his junior year.

This upcoming fall, Riley will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology to study chemical and biomolecular engineering with the aim of one day creating affordable life-saving medications for a variety of medical conditions.

Riley would like to give special thanks to everyone who has helped him, both in the classroom and outside of it.

Specifically, Riley would like to give tremendous thanks to his physics teacher, Mr. Russo, for demonstrating how one should let curiosity lead their learning and for being one of the best role models any young man could have. Riley would also like to thank Mrs. Veit for supporting him during stressful times in virtual learning, Mrs. Mccarron-Stewart and Mrs. Poirier for instilling the love of science within him, Mrs. Royalty for all the help she gave the class officers, and Dean West for tirelessly and selflessly working with him to make changes to a rule in the program of studies.

Additionally, Riley would like to thank his parents for always supporting him in all his endeavors and never giving up on him, and his sister for helping to bring him out of his shell and teaching him how to take school less seriously. Riley thanks all of his friends who have supported him throughout high school, and would like to specially thank Ted Decker for always sticking by his side and driving him to become the best student, and more importantly, person, he could possibly be.

Finally, Riley would like to wish good luck to everyone in the graduating class of 2023 and is excited to see the amazing impact each individual will have on the world.

Ted Decker

Ted Decker, son of Eric and Carolyn Decker, is graduating as the salutatorian and president of the Dover High Class of 2023.

Over the course of his high school career, he has attempted to involve himself with many activities, most notable of which include Ping Pong Club, Varsity Soccer, Unified Basketball, Unified Volleyball, Latin Club, and National Honors Society.

Ted would not be where he is today without the incredible influence of his teachers. He gives special recognition to Magistra Connelly, who was not only an invigorating teacher of Latin but an extraordinary advisor for both the Latin and Ping Pong Club; Mr. Russo for first teaching him that grades are sometimes the least important aspect of learning and then serving as an invaluable role model who let many rowdy seniors come to spend the best 30 minutes of their day eating lunch in his room; Mr. Duprat for introducing him to the wonderfully puzzling world of engineering in a way that would inspire him to choose his current career path; Mrs. Royalty, a class advisor who used her remarkable artistic talents, witty sense of humor, and wise judgment to assist Ted in all his presidential duties; and Mrs. Hippern, a fantastic coach for the unified sports programs who gave him a true understanding of how to help others. This thanks is extended to everyone involved in the unified sports programs, especially the wonderful athletes who were often the highlight of his day.

Outside of the classroom, there are many people responsible for Ted’s position that deserve proper recognition. He has the utmost pride to be a part of his family and would therefore like to thank them- his mother, Carolyn; his father, Eric; and brother, James. Both his parents worked tirelessly to make sure he could focus on anything he wanted to which was essential to his achievements. Their contributions will never be equaled and to fully appreciate them, pages upon pages of thanks would need to be written. James, an older brother by two years who graduated valedictorian from Dover High, paved a remarkable path for his younger brother to follow. Ted truly believes he is a better person thanks to his brother’s guidance and inclusion. Ted also has incredible friends, among whom are Riley Johnston and Andy Parker who continue to be instrumental sources of inspiration, support, and happiness.

Ted plans to attend college at Northeastern University in Boston to study civil engineering with a focus in transportation with the hopes of making the movement of people, goods, and ideas more efficient and safe.

Finally, Ted wishes the best for his fellow classmates and that they find from the future what they want from it. He hopes that they lead long and prosperous lives, using their experience from Dover High School as a stepping stone to their accomplishments.

Graham Richard

Graham Richard, son of Paul Richard and Bobbie Glidden, is graduating third in his class. He has served as Class Liaison in Student Government and is a member of the National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society, receiving a Silver Medal on the Latin Exam in 2022. Graham has participated in numerous clubs and activities including Key Club, Latin Club, Helping Hands for South Sudan and Ping Pong Club. Graham played Varsity Soccer and was a Scholar Athlete. Outside of school he enjoys skateboarding, surfing, drawing, playing video games and hanging out with friends. In the past he has volunteered at the Dover Friendly Kitchen, where he broadened his perspective on community.

Graham has found his years at Dover High School rewarding and positive and would like to thank his advisor Ms. Williams for her continuous support and kindness. He would also like to thank Ms. Poirier for cultivating his curiosity and passion for biology and always matching his sense of humor. He thanks, and will never forget the friends he made throughout his years of school. He especially appreciates those relationships formed through soccer on and off the field. Most of all, Graham would like to thank his parents for always showing love and encouragement.

Graham will be attending Boston University in the fall where he plans to major in cellular biology on a pre-med track.

Macy Harris

Macy Harris, daughter of Jonathan and Lauren Harris, is graduating fourth in the Dover High School Class of 2023. At DHS, Macy has participated in the marching and concert band for four years. She has been recognized with several awards for outstanding achievement in academics as well as in music. She is a four-year member of the World Language Honor Society. She is also the recipient of the Jae S. Lim Foundation Award for Mathematics.

Outside of school, Macy has enjoyed lessons on piano, flute, and piccolo. For eight years she has fostered her passion for dance at Sole City Dance where she takes jazz, ballet, and modern. She recently performed the lead role in their version of Treasure Island.

Macy would like to thank her teachers at DHS for the support they have given over the past four years, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the fall, Macy has chosen to attend the University of Maine in Orono, where she plans to study mathematics and dance and join their marching band.

Nhi Nguyen

Nhi Nguyen (she/her), daughter of Abidin Sudarto and Hang Nguyen is graduating fifth in her class. Some of the highlights of her high school career include being awarded as a 2022 Questbridge College Prep Scholar, 2023 Bank of America Student Leader, MENA-USA Empowering Resilient Girls Exchange (MERGE) participant, and a Youth Leader at Alliance Rhode Island Southeast Asian for Education (ARISE).

Nhi wouldn’t be in this position without the support of her mentors, teachers, and friends (you know who you are!!) and would like to give a special shoutout to the people who shaped her to become a better person.

Starting with her ARISE family, to Nancy Xiong, thank you for being one of the first people to believe in me, get me through the lowest points of my life, and show me how to reach beyond my limitations. To Ngan Nguyen, thank you for teaching me how to become independent during my month in Providence and encouraging me to put myself out there. To Symone Burrell, thank you for listening allowing me to vent about my struggles, and providing insight that allows me to become more intentional in my relationships. To Niamiah Jefferson, thank you for your leadership in organizing the youth leader’s meetings, for they pushed me to critically think about how I navigate through the world.

To Hannah, her MERGE mentor, thank you for being a reliable adult figure in my life and always challenging me to trust myself through my academic and social endeavors.

To her guidance counselor, Mrs. Schwartz, thank you for helping me get through my anxieties and for supporting me in building a better mindset.

To Ms. Dunn, Mrs. McManus, Magistra, Mrs. O’ Rourke, Mr. Mann, and Mr. A and all of her other teachers- thank you for your passion and commitment towards education. I wouldn’t make it this far in my education career without your support in nourishing my academic curiosity and helping me grow from its challenges.

She would also like to give a special shoutout to all the first-generation, low-income communities she met through Questbridge and her fly-in programs. Thank you for all the memories made at each program, they were the highlights of my senior year and I can’t wait to see the great things you’ll accomplish in the future!!

Lastly, she would like to dedicate this honor to her parents. Thank you for your diligence and courage to provide me shelter for the past 18 years, especially leaving Vietnam and Indonesia to do so. I’m grateful for everything you both have done for me.

She will be attending Stanford University in the fall with plans to study political science and comparative race in ethnic studies, and whatever comes along in her path.

Niyati Patel

Niyati Patel, daughter of Suhit and Panna Patel, is graduating sixth in the class of 2023 at Dover High School. During her time at DHS, she was a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, student ambassadors, and treasurer of Red Cross Club.

Over the course of four years, Niyati participated in a plethora of extracurricular activities. Her favorite has been her year-long psychology research project at Merrimack College with the chair of psychology, Dr. Michael Stroud, who she would like to give thanks to for his time and dedication. Her interest in psychology research was initiated after taking AP Psychology, which granted her the opportunity to delve into her psychological interests that correlate with her interest in neuroscience. She has been investigating how individuals assessed on the Big-5 personality scale behave when exposed to stressful stimuli utilizing heart rate variability devices.

Niyati spent all her high school working at a nursing home, which drew her closer to the field of healthcare. She has also devoted a majority of her time being a Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, which has allowed her to explore the public policy aspects of healthcare. Niyati has collaborated with her state legislature along with federal legislatures to raise awareness on funding for youth cessation efforts and breast and cervical cancer research.

Niyati is grateful for all the support she has received throughout her high school experience. She would like to thank a myriad of her teachers for their contributions to her time at high school. Mrs. McStew, for introducing her to chemistry and its applications to daily life; Mrs. Veit, for her constant encouragement to compromise with tough situations and look at the brighter future; Mr. Fazekas, for guiding her through the biomedical world; Mr. Russo and Mrs. Poirier, for their optimistic approach to situations; and Mrs. Hall, for teaching her that math can be stressful yet fun at the same time.

She would also like to thank her AP Bio table, which consisted of Finn, Angie, and Josh, for the constant laughs, bickering, and learning experiences throughout the year. Niyati’s family has also made a great impact on her high school experience, and she would like to thank her mom for showing her hard work and resilience, her dad for encouraging independence, and her younger brother for the radiating energy he brings into her life.

Niyati wishes all her classmates the best of luck for their futures and hopes they are able to pursue their true passions in life.

She will pursue an accelerated master’s degree at Northeastern University with a double major in behavioral neuroscience and data science and a minor in anthropology on the pre-med track after she studies abroad at Greece her first semester. Niyati hopes to become a neurologist and start a private practice someday.

Gretchen Parent

Gretchen Parent, daughter of Chad and Jessica Parent, is graduating seventh in the class of 2023 at Dover High School. In her time at the high school, she has been a member of the National Honors Society, the National Technical Honors Society, and the Spanish Honors Society. She has also participated in various clubs such as Earth Action and Women’s Empowerment, and served as the secretary of both Key Club and Helping Hands for South Sudan.

Gretchen is so grateful for everyone who has supported her along the way. She would especially like to thank Mrs. Hall, for helping her learn to love math; Mrs. Little, for pushing her academically and helping her grow as a writer; Mr. O’Mahony, for always being supportive and allowing her the opportunity to study Spanish V; and most importantly, Mrs. Poirier, for teaching her the importance of balance. Gretchen would also like to thank her parents for providing her with countless opportunities to succeed, and encouraging her every step of the way.

This fall, Gretchen will be attending Emmanuel College with a major in biology. After being introduced to genetics in seventh grade, she is so excited to follow through with her passions, and hopes to pursue a career in genetics in her future.

Elijah Horwath

Elijah Horwath, son of Karen and Jacob and brother to Lillienne and Sophie, is graduating eighth in his class at Dover High School. During his time at DHS, he participated in the Gender-Sexuality Alliance, Youth Democratic Socialists of America, School Newspaper (for which he served as managing editor and head of business and fundraising), Latin Club and Certamen Team, Project SEARCH, National Honors Society, and World Languages Honors Society. Through his dedication and commitment to schooling, he was one of 4,500 seniors nationwide to be nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. He has also enjoyed all of his time volunteering at the Great Bay National Estuary and at Mary’s Dogs Adoption and Rescue.

He would like to thank all of his teachers — if he could list them all, he would — for fostering his love of learning. He would especially like to thank his science teachers Mr. Wason, Dr. Martin, Mrs. McStew, Mrs. Poirier, and Mr. Russo; they started him on his journey to forensic science and educated him about the intricacies of our humble planet. He would also like to specifically thank Magistra for introducing him to Latin and the ancient Roman world — he credits her for his earning second place in the NHCA Warren H. Held Exam Competition, two National Latin Exam gold medals, and National Latin Vocab Exam silver and bronze medals, among many other Latin achievements. Finally, he would like to thank Mrs. Repucci for helping him develop his writing skills and giving him the confidence to write proudly throughout high school.

He would like to express his gratitude to all of his friends and family that have supported him throughout his life, and made it possible for him to even graduate. As a student from Barrington, he found it difficult to reach out to Dover students, but at every turn, his friends were there to pull him through. He would like to give a special thanks to Nick, Brae, Sam, Elsie, Michelle, and Mia, for their humor and advice; and Shamus, for helping him find himself.

In August, Elijah will be attending University of Massachusetts Boston, where he will be majoring in both biochemistry and classical languages. He hopes to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science with the goal of researching the intersectionality between forensic science and social justice.

Taylor Wilson

Taylor Wilson, daughter of Brett and Nicole Wilson, is graduating ninth in the Class of 2023 at Dover High School. She was captain of the Varsity Tennis Team and a member of Helping Hands for South Sudan, Stock Market Analysis club, World Language Honors Society, and National Technical Honors Society. She served as a Career Technical Education Ambassador for the school’s biomed program her sophomore and junior years, and, inducted as a sophomore, she served as the Treasurer of the National Honor Society her senior year.

Athletically, Taylor has amassed a cumulative singles and doubles record of 93-9 over her three seasons on Dover’s varsity tennis team. Her junior season, she led the team to a Division I state title, Dover’s first in program history. She also captured the state doubles title alongside her partner, another first in program history.

Taylor would like to thank her incredible coach, Sue Vitko, who never fails to go above and beyond for her players. The team would not have gone so far without her.

Taylor completed the biomedical science program through the Career Technical Center, and looks back upon the course fondly. Despite being one of her favorite classes, the most valuable lesson that it taught her is that she does not, in fact, want to pursue a career in biomedical science. Though she won’t miss the lingering smell of rubber gloves and sheep heart, she will miss her teacher, Mr. Fazekas. Taylor would like to thank Mr. Fazekas for teaching with enthusiasm and a big personality, giving her a block to look forward to every day. She would also like to thank Magistra Connelly, for teaching with immense knowledge and compassion, and Mr. Fennessy, who made each class more interesting than the last.

This fall, Taylor will be attending Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where she will play on the tennis team while studying business finance.

She is incredibly grateful and excited to continue her athletic career at the collegiate level, and would like to thank each coach, trainer, and friend who has helped her along the way. Above all, Taylor would like to thank her parents, who have moved mountains to make everything possible. They taught her that hard work is best supplemented by the occasional rest day, and encouraged her to be ambitious while never holding too tightly onto expectations. She is excited to see where the next four years will take her.

Greta Hemphill

Greta Hemphill, daughter of Kiley and Jamie Hemphill, is graduating number 10 of the Class of 2023 at Dover High School. She was a core member of Project DREAM, co-founder of Dover High School’s Young Democratic Socialists of America, and member of the Alpine Ski Team, French Honors Society, Key Club, the Tide, and a (not so) Secret Book Club.

Greta will be attending Wellesley College in the fall. She’s still leaving room for new decisions and growth, but right now is looking towards a double major in religious studies and French and hoping for a future teaching post-secondary education.

High school would have been so much more difficult if not for all of the family, friends, and teachers that have supported Greta through all four years. She would like to thank Dean Waldron for helping her grow into a strong leader and amplifying youth voices; Mrs. McManus, for allowing her to dive deep into her interests, regardless of their dubious relevance to class; Mme Spencer, for helping her fall in love with French and for creating a classroom that she always felt safe stepping into; Mrs. Kontos, for teaching her to be patient with herself and to persist through hard work; Mrs. Hall, for strengthening her ability to problem solve and have fun in a subject she never knew she’d care so much about; her grandparents, for showing such immense pride in her passions and strengths; her brother, for his help in developing her rhetorical skills and for modeling hard work; and her parents, for supporting her through times when she needed help and pushing her to do what she loves.

Greta would also like to thank all of her friends, both those who’ve been with her since elementary and middle school, and those who she has met in the past four years. She is especially grateful to the community she’s found in Project DREAM, who have supported her, challenged her, and become a family to her.

Greta hopes that, on the skirts of their high school experience, other members of the class of 2023 will be able to seek beauty without ignoring injustice, and find happiness in facilitating the happiness of others.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover High School Class of 2023 top 10 graduates