Alden High School Announces Top Ten Seniors

Alden High School Announces Top Ten Seniors

Staff, Staff

Laura Karlnoski - Valedictorian

The Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 is Laura Karlnoski. Laura is the daughter of Marc and Kim Karlnoski of Alden. She has an overall average of 98.42. Laura was awarded the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence which is $1,500 over four years. She also received the Canisius Trustee’s Scholarship worth $21,000 over four years. Laura has been student of the month for various subjects throughout her high school career and was the recipient of the Clarkson University Leadership Award. She is a 10-year soccer player and was captain for the varsity team her senior year. Laura has been a member of the Big Brother, Big Sister club for the last three years, the National Honor Society for the last two years and a member of the Key club for the last two years, where she served as Secretary. She has also been a member of the Catholic Youth Organization for the last two years. Her community service includes Meals on Wheels, St. John’s Youth Night volunteer, the Alden/Marilla Car Show and volunteer work for a summer camp in the Bronx. Laura will be attending Canisius College in the fall to study Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation. She plans to pursue a career as a Veterinarian or in an animal related field.

 

Katherine Williams #2
The Salutatorian of the Class of 2016 is Katherine Williams. Katie is the daughter of Ed and Jamie Williams of Alden. Katie has a cumulative three and one half year average of 97.68. Katie was awarded the Rensselaer Medal. An avid swimmer for life Katie participated in Varsity Swimming for four years, serving as Captain for the past two. She has been very active in the instrumental program participating all fours years in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz and Pep Band, and Pit Orchestra. She is also a four year member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and President for the last two years. In the community Katie performs with the Akron Community Band and the Marilla Marching Band. She also volunteered for the Variety Women Winter Tea. Katie works as lifeguard for the Town of Alden, Community Education and the Boys’ Varsity Swim Team. Katie was awarded the College of Wooster Dean’s Scholarship in the amount of $96,000. She plans to attend Case Western Reserve where she will study pre-medicine (biochemistry or neuroscience) with a goal to achieve a combined PhD/MD and become a doctor or surgeon while conducting medical research.

 

Mallory Ronan #3
Graduating third in the Class is Mallory Ronan with a cumulative average of 96.43. Mallory is the daughter of Scott and Kelly Ronan of Alden. An accomplished runner, Mallory ran track for all four years of high school and joined Cross Country for her junior and senior years. She also played JV Soccer for two years before moving to Cross Country. Mallory performed in all 8 theater productions over the past four years, four musicals and four plays with a lead role this fall as a senior. She is a four year member of Student Congress and Theater Club and attended the NYSTEA Conference in grade ten. She has also been involved in Show Choir, Spanish Club, Big Brother Big Sister, and served as Secretary of Future Teachers of America. She is also a four year performer with Wind Ensemble and sings with Park Street Voices. In the community Mallory volunteers for Meals on Wheels and is active at her church, Nativity Lutheran Church, where she teaches crafts at Vacation Bible School and provides childcare during services. Mallory will attend Niagara University in the fall to study English Education. She will participate in cross country and track and field at Niagara and was awarded a NU Trustees’ Scholarship, a Niagara University Athletic Scholarship and the NU Invitational Scholarship. She plans to become a high school English teacher.

 

#4 Emma Retzlaff

Emma Retzlaff, the daughter of Theresa Retzlaff and Michael Retzlaff, both of Alden, is graduating ranked fourth in the Class. Emma has an overall average of 96.30. Emma was awarded the George Eastman Leadership Award and is a two year member of National Honor Society. She has been a very active member of the Yearbook Club for the last four years and this year serves as Senior Editor. She is also a four year member of Science Olympiad and Theater Club serving as both Treasurer for two years and then President. She is also active in Youth2Youth and Model UN. Emma has been active in the instrumental programs all four years serving as Band Treasurer the past two years and performing with All-County and All-State. She is also a writer for The Buffalo News NeXt section and has been published numerous times. In the summer Emma works for the Alden Recreation Department as a Drama/Theater instructor. She has also worked at The Whistle Stop. In the fall Emma will attend Alfred State to pursue Forensics. She plans to become a Medical Examiner.

 

#5 Emily Beisiegel

Graduating fifth in the Class of 2016 with an overall cumulative average of 95.89 is Emily Beisiegel. Emily is the daughter of Rebecca Beisiegel of Marilla and Vincent Beisiegel of Alden. Emily received the Clarkson University High School Achievement award. She is a nine year member of 4H where she has served as Treasurer, Secretary and President. She has also been a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association for four years, the Spanish club for three years serving as Student Congress Representative and the National Honor Society for the last two years serving as Treasurer. Emily has volunteered her time to help out with the Marilla Car Show as well as the Alden Auto Show. In the fall Emily will attend West Texas A&M to study Pre-Med. She plans to pursue a career as an Orthopedic Surgeon.

 

#6 Lillian Kozlowski

Lillianne Kozlowski is graduating sixth in the Class with an overall average of 95.79. She is the daughter of Paul and Paula Kozlowski of Alden. During high school Lillianne received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award for excellence in science, the Varsity Letter, the Academic Letter, High Honor Recognition for two years, and perfect attendance for two years. She has been active in our Soccer program playing on both JV and Varsity. She is a three year member of Big Brother, Big Sister where she served as Secretary for two years, a two year member of Key Club and a member of the National Honor Society for the last two years. Lillianne was also a member of our school musical, Tarzan, this past year. Lillianne is employed as a babysitter as well as a soccer referee. Next year Lillianne will attend the University of Buffalo to study Nursing. Lillianne’s long term goal is to eventually earn her advanced degree to work as a Nurse Practitioner.

 

#7 Ashley DuszaGraduating seventh in the class is Ashley Dusza with a cumulative average of 95.14. Ashley is the daughter of Tim and Krista Dusza of Alden. Ashley was awarded the Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship from Daemen College worth $20,000 as well as Daemen’s Presidential Scholarship worth $40,000. She was also awarded the Provost Scholarship from Buffalo State College worth $8,000. Ashley is a four year recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award. She has been a member of the Track and Field team for four years where she served as captain her junior and senior year and the Cross Country team for two years serving as captain her senior year. Ashley is a two year member of the Athletic Association where she serves as Treasurer. Her community service includes helping with food drives through the St. John’s religious education program as well as volunteer work she did through the Big Brother, Big Sister program her freshman and sophomore years. Ashley is undecided about where she will attend next year, but plans to major in Education or Art Education.

 

#8 Mark Mychajluk

Graduating eighth in the Class of 2016 with a cumulative average of 94.78 is Mark Mychajluk. Mark is the son of Mary Mychajluk of Alden and Myron Mychajluk. Mark was awarded the University of Rochester’s Xerox Award for Information Technology and Innovation. He has been active in the Key Club for the past four years and currently serves as President. He is also a two year member of National Honor Society and this year’s Secretary and a two year member of Model United Nations. Mark has volunteered for the Alden Kiwanis Club many times over the past four years working at a variety of their annual events. Mark was offered scholarships to the University of Rochester, Canisius College and Washington and Jefferson College. He has decided to study International Relations in the fall at the University of Rochester. He plans to become a Foreign Service Officer and eventually work his way up to being a state lawmaker or Congressman.

 

#9 Jaclyn Wallace

Jaclyn Wallace is graduating ninth in the Class with an overall average of 94.67. Jaclyn is the daughter of Martin and Michelle Wallace of Alden. Jaclyn was awarded the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence and the Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal. She has been Treasurer of the Class of 2016 for the all four years of high school. She is a four year member of French Club and a two year member of National Honor Society. Jaclyn ran Cross Country for five years and was elected Captain for three years. She also participated in the women’s basketball program for four years serving as Co-Captain for the Junior Varsity team. Jaclyn is also a Co-Captain on the Track Team. Jaclyn’s community service includes Meals on Wheels, and volunteering at numerous events at the Alden Primary school as well as for the Alden Community Scholarship Foundation including the annual Chicken BBQ and the 5K Race for Scholarships. In the fall Jaclyn will study Biomedical Sciences at Canisius College. She plans to work for a company that focuses on improving equipment used in the medical field.

 

#10 Colton Pyszcynski

Rounding out the Top Ten with the slimmest of margins is Colton Pyszcynski with an overall average of 94.66. Colton is the son of Tim and Sharon Pyszcynski of Alden. Colton was awarded the Rochester Institute of Technology Creativity and Innovation Award and named Scholar Athlete. He is a four year member of both the Basketball and Baseball teams. He was voted Captain of the Baseball team last year. He is also a member of Key Club. His community service includes volunteering for Alden Kiwanis events and working at sporting events in the town of Bennington. He is employed at Tsp Contracting. Colton plans to attend Clarkson University in the fall to study Environmental Engineering. He hopes to secure a position as an Environmental Engineer in the Buffalo area.