Westport's 'Top 10' class of 2023 graduates is actually a list of 11. Here's who.
WESTPORT — Westport Community Schools' traditional Top 10 list of academically ranked students ended up being a list of 11 class of 2023 grads this year, with two students co-named to the No. 10 spot. The seniors graduated earlier this month.
10. Cameron Leary
Leary, the son of Christopher and Rachelle Leary, will be attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to major in Mechanical Engineering. He has played varsity baseball since Grade 8 and varsity basketball since Grade 10, and was a captain this year for both teams. He's also been a member of the National Honor Society and Environmental Club. Leary has volunteered for many school events while being a part-time employee of a local supermarket and an AP and Honors student. He received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and several scholarships at the annual Award and Scholarship Night.
10. Benjamin Boudria
The son of Scot and Susan Boudria, Boudria is co-ranked tenth in the Class of 2023 of Westport Middle High School. In the fall, Benjamin will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Engineering School majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He has played basketball since grade nine, having been the team captain; as well as played soccer, tennis, golf and baseball for Westport Middle High School. He was recently inducted into the National Honor Society for his academic standing and has spent a lot of his free time working with younger students and teaching them basketball skills.
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9. Taylor Perry
Perry, the daughter of Jason and Christine Perry, will be attending the American Musical and Drama Academy (AMDA) in New York majoring in acting for film and television. She has been a member of the Drama Club since the ninth grade and recently had a lead in "Little Shop of Horrors" which she helped produce. Perry has also been a four-year volleyball player and member of Environmental Club and Student Council. Along with her school involvement Taylor has held several part-time jobs and has been an AP and Honors student. At the annual Award and Scholarship Night, she received a Drama and Music Award along with several scholarships.
8. Tyler Simonin
The son of Sean and Danielle Simonin, Simonin will attend Pace University in the fall majoring in Design. He has been the Class President all four years, he has been a member of the Drama Club since middle school and he is a member of the Yearbook Club. He also works two jobs, including being a gymnastics coach. This year he helped bring back the Mr. Westport competition which is a great night of entertainment that raises money for the Athletic Boosters. Simonin also draws, paints, and takes photographs that enhance the beauty of the building, the district said. At the annual Award and Scholarship Night, Simonin received the Principal’s Award, a Drama Club Award, Music Award and the Above and Beyond Award. He was also the recipient of many scholarships.
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7. Camryn Rezendes
The daughter of Mark and Tara Rezendes, Rezendes will be attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth majoring in Nursing. Camryn has been an active member of the Student Council all four years of high school. She is also a member of the Medical Club and cheerleading. She works part-time, is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in many activities for the Student Council and Medical Club. She was a recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and many scholarships at the annual Award and Scholarship Night.
6. Shelby Orr
The daughter of John Orr and Kathie Silvia, Orr will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall to major in Education. She has worked as an intern for the middle school and also at the elementary and primary schools. Orr has been a member of the basketball team, Yearbook Club, Drama Club and Student Council. Shelby has assisted with the high school’s Memorial Garden and has been an asset to the guidance department when they needed student volunteers to have lunch with younger students, the district said. Orr received several scholarships and awards at the annual Award and Scholarship night, one being the President’s Award for Academic Excellence.
5. Alison Francoeur
The daughter of Jeffrey and Melinda Francoeur, Francoeur will be attending the University of Rhode Island and majoring in Nursing in the fall. At the annual Award and Scholarship Night, she earned the President's Award for Academic Excellence and the Wellness Award for Advocats, a program that began at Westport Middle High School to encourage inclusivity, where students work with peers who have special needs. Alison has played softball since ninth grade, and has been a member of Student Council and Medical Club.
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4. Michael Braga
The son of Joseph and Susan Braga, Braga will be attending Bridgewater State University in the fall majoring in Communications with a minor in Theater. Michael has been a member of Westport's drama program and pep band since the ninth grade. He performed in "Legally Blonde" and "Little Shop of Horrors." His talent has also been witnessed at our annual Westport’s Got Talent Show. Baraga has earned a Music Department Award, the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Peter Habib Memorial Scholarship. He is an AP and Honors student, a member of the National Honor Society, volunteers for the United We Move food pantry and has coached youth soccer. This year, Braga was instrumental in starting The Wildcat, the high school newspaper, as its managing editor.
3. Peyton Mahjoory
Mahjoory, daughter of Arastou Mahjoory and Theresa Pacheco, will be attending Providence College in the fall to major in Entrepreneurship working toward a career in Interior Design. A scholar-athlete, Peyton’s athletic prowess has witnessed on the softball field, and she has also played basketball and soccer for Westport Middle High School, the district said. Honors earned in her high school career include being named Scholar Athlete of the Year. Mahjoory has been a member of the National Honor Society and the Medical and Yearbook clubs, as well as a volunteer for Macomber School and the Tiverton Yacht Club.
2. Noah Sowle
The Salutatorian of the class of 2023 from Westport Middle High School, Sowle — son of Frederick and Laura Sowle — will major in Biology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the fall with the goal of becoming a doctor. Noah has been president of the Medical Club and National Honor Society, named the Scholar Athlete of the Year and has played soccer and baseball since the ninth grade. He has been the recipient of the AP Calculus Award, the President’s Award for Service and Academic Excellence along with many scholarships at the annual Award and Scholarship Night. He has a full schedule of AP and Honors courses to match. He has earned over 100 hours in Community Service and has been a volunteer at Urgent Care and SouthCoast Hospitals. Westport Middle High School will miss the influence of this fine young man.
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1. Lily MacDonald
The Valedictorian for the class of 2023 at Westport Middle High School, MacDonald — daughter of Keith and Andrea-Berry MacDonald — will be studying Environmental Science at the University of Vermont in the fall. She is a member of the Environmental Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, National Honor Society, Student Council, and she is a dancer outside of school. Lily has been an AP and Honor student throughout her tenure at Westport Middle High School and is always willing to assist with group events like open houses, Camp Invention and beach clean-ups, the district said. During the district's Award and Scholarship Night, MacDonald earned the Superintendent’s Award, the Science Department Award along with the AP English Award. She is also the recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and several scholarships.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Westport High announces its Top 10 for Class of 2023
