Garfield Heights High School recently announced its ‘Academic Top 10,’ as part of its regular, year-end awards ceremonies that in an ironic “three-way-tie” actually includes eleven Bulldog senior students. This year’s Academic Top 10 includes a broadly involved group of high schools seniors, whose involvements range from athletics, to student leadership activities, to active involvement in the arts and community services. Collectively, the Academic Top 10 includes, Valedictorian Kaitlyn Regan, Salutatorian Stephanie Spellacy, Barbara Sychla, Dale Kiefer, Dillon Dalton, Gabriella Radak, Emma Hanks, Jasmine Braxton, Isys Garcia, Lauren Kingsmill and Nicholas Sorohan.

Valedictorian Kaitlyn Regan excelled in the classroom and with her co-curricular involvement. Graduating with a 4.217 Grade Point Average, Regan was also involved in National Honor Society and Glass Ceiling Roundtable. Perhaps her most accomplished work apart from her studies was spent in on the stage. Kaitlyn participates in the A’Cappella choir and Music Express and was the Best Female Soloist at the Findley Fest in 2009. She is a 4 star Thespian, winning Best New Actress in 2010 and Best Actress in 2011. During her junior year she was also Head of Publicity for our Theatre group and this year is President. Kaitlyn will major in Musical Theatre next year at Kent State University.

Finishing with a 4.207 Grade Point Average, Stephanie Spellacy was named class Salutatorian for 2012. Spellacy was member to the Spanish Club and National Honor’s Society. She also demonstrated strong leadership skills as secretary to Students of Service, serving as the Co-Chair for their Annual Blood Drive this year, and also serving as Class of 2012 Co-President. She will continue her studies in the fall by majoring in business management and accounting, although her school-of-choice is still undetermined.

Adding to the dignified celebration was the opportunity for each member of this year’s Top Ten to identify a teacher, coach or instructor from The Garfield Heights City Schools, who in some way, had mentored or influenced each respective finalist. That list is below:

Valedictorian    Kaitlyn Regan:             Stephen Benjamin         
Salutatorian      Stephanie Spellacy:      Amanda McCollough       
              
Emma Hanks:                  Jennifer Washko
Barbara Sychla:               Michael Shively                                               
Jasimine Braxton:             Bobbie Marksbury
Dale Kiefer:                     Robin Majors                                    
Isys Garcia:                      Nika Carleton
Dillon Dalton:                   Kyle Kovach                                      
Gabriella Radak:              Helen Lindsay
Lauren Kingsmill:             Amanda McCollough
Nicholas Sorohan:           Paul Harvan

Congratulations to the Academic Top 10 for the 2012 graduating class at Garfield Heights High School!