Meet Winnacunnet High School's top 10 students in the Class of 2023

HAMPTON — Winnacunnet High School has announced its top 10 students in the Class of 2023.

Monique Baril

Monique Baril of Hampton is the daughter of Erika and Daniel. Her younger brother is Zachary. Monique has been a leader in many clubs and activities throughout high school. She is the editor in chief of the Literary Magazine and held this position for two years.  She has been involved in Student Council all four years and was Junior Class President.  She is the co-president of the American Sign Language Club and part of Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Astronomy Club and a member of Project Search. She is also a member of the Drama Club and Tech Crew for the theater productions.  Monique participated in the Close UP Program this spring where high school students from across the country come together in Washington DC to make lasting connections with the people and places that represent our democracy.

Very different from her in-school experiences, Monique spent time as an assembly line worker during the COVID pandemic packaging N95 masks and other medical equipment. She is also an aerial dancer and will continue this activity beyond high school.

Monique will attend the Paul College of Business in the Honors Program at the University of New Hampshire.

Devyn Bernhard

Devyn Bernhard resides in Seabrook with her parents Jennifer and James and her triplet sisters, Haylee and Madison.

Devyn is a dedicated student whose attention to detail and willingness to challenge herself is impressive. She played Field Hockey during high school and works at Cider Hill Farm.  She loves reading, especially dystopian fiction, and spending time with her family.

Devyn will attend University of New Hampshire to study biology this fall.

Andrea Georges

Andrea Georges is the daughter of Sarah and Nicholas and younger sister of Grace, all of Hampton. Andrea has made a defining mark in music, athletics and several clubs during high school.

Ande plays saxophone for Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band.  She is the vice president of band, vice president of Tri M and Section Leader.  She has been on the swim team throughout high school and was captain as a senior.  She ran cross country and track as well.  Ande has a strong sense of community and service and is active in Interact, Girl Up and is on the Executive Council for the National Honor Society. Recently, Ande placed second in her age group in a half marathon and sees more races in her future.

Ande will be attending University of Vermont this fall to study nutrition and food science.

Riley Hoyt

Riley Hoyt, daughter of Lana and Matthew and older sister to Addison, is this year’s valedictorian. The family resides in Hampton.

Riley’s attention to detail has made her a success in all classes but also in the arts and crafts she enjoys. She is currently learning to crochet but has tried her hand at embroidery, metal jewelry and other mediums. She enjoys baking and reading, especially historical fiction.  At her job at Huckleberry’s Candies, she has the focus and attention to detail that has made her a favorite to detail special orders.

In school, she is part of the American Sign Language Club. Riley volunteers at Camp Runamok each summer.  Riley's calm demeanor, kindness, and creativity makes her assistance in the arts and crafts invaluable. When she’s not volunteering or working, Riley enjoys the time her family spends on Lake Sunapee.

This fall, Riley will attend Bucknell University to study animal behavior.

Adelaide Kinnaly

Adelaide Kinnaly is the daughter of Stacy and Paul and sister of Cooper and Kraer, all of Hampton Falls. Addie is highly thought of across disciplines and was the school’s nomination for the US Senate Youth Program due to her academic skills as well as her interpersonal skills. During high school, Addie played tennis, lacrosse and soccer.  Outside of academics, Addie devotes her time and energy to activities that she cares about.  She is active in the Sustainability Club and Interact Club due to her concern about the environment and local community. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.  Addie also enjoys reading and walking her dog. Addie is the salutatorian.

Addie will attend Boston College to study international studies.

Grace Pham

Grace Pham lives in North Hampton with her mother and stepfather, Ellen and Steve Sofronos. Her father and stepmother, Chuong and Kristin Pham, live in Massachusetts.  She is the sister of Colby, Kennedy, Madelyn, Garrett and Annie.

Grace is the current Student Council Student Body president and has been instrumental in bringing dances and other activities back after the pandemic.  As a junior, she was the Student Council historian. She is on the Executive Council of the National Honor Society, on the Math Team and a member of the Spanish Club.

Grace will attend Northeastern University to study biomedical physics.

Makenzie Poplawski

Makenzie Poplawski, daughter of Julie and Michael and older sister to Sydney, lives in Hampton. Mackenzie’s bright smile hides a fierce commitment to her academic and athletic pursuits. A Scholar Athlete Awardee, Mackenzie plays multiple sports. Volleyball is a favorite sport, and she has played for the school team as well as a club travel team. She received the Coach’s Award as a junior, the MVP as a senior and was co-captain of the team as a senior as well. She was also nominated to the D1 All State team.  She also enjoys being on the lacrosse team and track team.  In addition to sports, Mackenzie is part of Girl Up, Student Council and National Honor Society.

Makenzie will attend the Florida Institute of Technology this fall to study mechanical engineering.

Anthony Snider

Anthony Snider of Hampton lives with his parents, Carol and Ken and his brother Josh.  Even taking the most challenging classes in math and science has been fun for Anthony due to his love of the curriculum and love of learning.

He also enjoys playing tennis and was on the school team for three years. Outside of school, Anthony is an avid video game player and hopes to one day work in game development himself.

After graduation, Anthony will attend University of New Hampshire to study computer science.

Lillian Sununu

Lillian Sununu of North Hampton lives with her parents, James and Christine and siblings Isabelle and Owen. Lily is a talented artist and scholar.

At Winnacunnet, Lily has been involved in the Drama program as part of the tech crew and is a member of the International Thespian Society. In addition, she has been active in the Latin Club, a member of Project Search, National Honor Society and Interact. Her volunteer activities have included helping with food drives and coaching archery.  Outside of school, Lily is a member of the Junior Olympic Archery Development Program through East Coast Archery. Skiing has been a passion from a very early age, and she also bikes and roller skates.  For the past two summers, she has helped teach photography at a local summer camp. Photography is not her only artistic interest and passion, she is a talented artist in a number of mediums, including oil paint, watercolor, pen and ink and graphite.

Lily will attend Northeastern University this fall.

Abby Wilber

Abby Wilber lives in Hampton Falls with parents Leigh and Steve and brother Jack.  Abby’s strong interest in health science fits well with her excellence in the most challenging science courses.

A field hockey player for Seacoast Field Hockey Club and for the school, Abby is also a highly thought of athlete in basketball and lacrosse as well. In addition to playing field hockey, Abby coaches younger students and helps out with goalie clinics.

Abby is a member of the Interact Club and National Honor Society.

Abby will attend University of Vermont to continue playing field hockey at the Division 1 level and will be studying health and exercise science. Her eventual career goal is to become a physical therapist.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Winnacunnet High School names top 10 students in the Class of 2023