Meet Westport Middle High School's Top 10 Graduates of 2022
WESTPORT — The following students are graduating from Westport Middle High School at the academic top of the senior class.
1. Laura Martel
Laura Martel, Valedictorian, is the daughter of Mary Ann and Steve Martel. Laura will be continuing her education at Husson University where she will major in Occupational Therapy and be a member of their soccer team. Laura has played varsity soccer for Westport High School for six years and this year was a First Team All-Star for the Herald News and in Grade 10 was the Eastern Mass Second All-Star. She was named the Female Scholar-Athlete this year and earned the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence, the Superintendent’s Award, Science Department Award, and the AP Calculus Award. She was also the recipient of several local scholarships including The Westport Lion’s Club, Saint Anne’s Credit Union, and Hawthorn Medical to name a few. Laura has helped raise $4,700 over four years for the Homes for our Troops Fundraiser. She is a volunteer at Samaritan’s Purse and My Brother’s Keeper. She is a member of the Student Council, the Medical Club, and the National Honor Society. In her junior year, Laura was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award and the Future Women in STEM Award at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Laura has been an intern for our Occupational Therapist this school year.
2. Christopher Wilson
Christopher Wilson, Salutatorian, is the son of Michelle Garant-Wilson and Daniel Wilson. Christopher will be continuing his education at Western New England University majoring in Computer Engineering. Christopher was the recipient of the John T. Hickey Scholar-Athlete Award along with the Chris Cariglia and Joanne Charest Memorial Sportsmanship Award. Along with those prestigious honors, he received the Citizenship Award, Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellent, Physics and Calculus Awards, as well as the Computer Science Essentials Awards. During his junior year, Christopher was the recipient of the Renssalaer Award for excellence in math and science. Christopher has played baseball for all four years, has been a member of the Student Council and the National Honor Society. Christopher has also worked at the Newport Naval Base as an intern in their computer engineering and robotics program.
3. Gwenyth Pichette
Gwenyth Pichette is the daughter of Amy and Stephen Pichette. Gwenyth will be entering the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the fall to study English-Journalism. This young woman challenged herself with AP and Honor’s courses throughout her high school career. Gwenyth has been a member of our SADD Club (Student’s Against Destructive Decisions), the Newspaper Club, and the National Honor Society. Gwenyth has been a volunteer for many of our school events and community organizations. Gwenyth has been a dancer for over twelve years. She was the recipient of the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence and several local scholarships like the Betty F. Slade, Westport Historical Society Scholarship.
4. Jessica George
Jessica George is the daughter of Jillian and John George. Jessica will be continuing her education at Wheaton College majoring in writing-specifically journalism. Jessica has been the intern for our Media Specialist assisting in Literary Support. Jessica received the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence as well as the Clube Madeirense, the new Bradford R. Bibeau Memorial Scholarship, and Westport Music Boosters Scholarships. Jessica has been involved in our school’s Drama Club since the 10th grade and has been a member of the Student Council for as long. She is a volunteer for several town events and is involved with her church.
5. Benjamin Almeida
Benjamin Almeida is the son of Lisa and David Almeida. Benjamin will be entering the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth majoring in Nursing. Benjamin is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a participant in our co-op football program, as well as our Drama and Makerspace Clubs. This hardworking young man works part-time at a local retail store while maintaining his 4.0 plus GPA. Benjamin received the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence.
6. Sarah Carney
Sarah Carney is the daughter of Marybeth and Mark Carney. Sarah will have a dual major in History and Education at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the fall. She has played three varsity sports: co-op track, field hockey, and basketball. She was the captain of the field hockey team this year and became a mentor for the younger players. Sarah has been a member of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and the National Honor Society. She has participated in many school events as a volunteer and has been a STEM Camp Counselor for elementary-aged students. This year, Sarah participated in the HSSIEP Project which is the High School Senior Internship Education Project. Sarah worked with a middle school history teacher as her intern. She also interned for a high school history teacher. Sarah was the recipient of the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence and the AP English Award.
7. Sydney Arsenault
Sydney Arsenault is the daughter of Sandra and Patrick Arsenault. Sydney will be continuing her education at the University of New Haven majoring in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Investigative Services. Sydney played soccer, was a part of the Drama Club, and is extremely involved in her Church. Sydney’s resolve is evident as she has maintained her 4.0 GPA, while working part-time and involving herself in community activities. Sydney is the recipient of the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence as well as the AP Statistics Award. During her junior year, Sydney received the Suffolk University Book Award. She was also the recipient of the Sgt. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship and the Grimshaw Gudewitz Charitable Award.
8. Nathaniel Gifford
Nathaniel Gifford is the son of Sarah and Bruce Gifford. Nathaniel will be attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy majoring in Marine Transportation. Nathaniel’s resume is filled with jobs that he has done or is currently doing that involve the marine industry. He is also a volunteer and notably an Eagle Scout. Nathaniel was recognized with the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence as well as a Citizenship Award. He also received several scholarships; Ladies’ Branch of the New Bedford Port Society, Luther B. Bowman, Westport Lion’s Club, Westport Agricultural Fair to name a few.
9. Lily Pichette
Lily Pichette is the daughter of Amy and Stephen Pichette. Lily will be attending the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the fall to major in Psychology. She was a member of the basketball and soccer teams. And, this year was the captain of the basketball team. She has received numerous accolades for her athletic skill and most recently was named the Female Athlete of the Year and received a Math and English Department Award along with scholarships.
10. Kyra Ferreira
Kyra Ferreira is the daughter of Kristi and Alfred Scott Ferreira. Kyra will be attending the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in the fall majoring in writing. Kyra is the Class of 2022’s President and was elected to be the voice of her peers each year of high school. Kyra has been a member of STEEL (Students That Exemplify Extraordinary Leadership), Yearbook, Medical Club, and the National Honor Society. Kyra has played field hockey all four years, tennis as well as cheering. Kyra has also volunteered for several school and community events. This young lady maintains a 4.0 GPA while being so involved and working part-time. Kyra was recognized for her academic ability by receiving the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Meet Westport Middle High School's Top 10 Graduates of 2022
