Wayne Highlands School District is CLOSED on Friday, November 22, 2024.

A trio of stellar students were honored during the January meeting of the Wayne Highlands School Board.

“We are very fortunate tonight to have three of our finest seniors who not only represent our high school, but the entire Wayne Highlands School District (WHSD) very well throughout their academic career,” said Wayne Highlands High School Principal Chris Petrazewski.

Sara Kizer, daughter of David and Rene Kizer of Beach Lake, is in the top 10 percent of her class and an honor roll student.

Sara has participated in the American Mathematics Contest, Marywood Math Contest, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS).

She plans to pursue a biochemistry major at Wilkes University on her way to become a forensic pathologist.

Addressing the room, Sara thanked the board for the honor.

“I would also like to thank the WHSD itself,” she said. “It’s given me so many opportunities, including college courses that...” many other schools don’t offer. Sara also thanked the teachers, highlighting the science department, saying “I honestly think that we have the best teachers.”

Madison Palmer, daughter of Chris and Renee Palmer of Honesdale, is also in the top 10 percent of her class.

Athletically, Madison lettered in tennis, where she also was captain.

She is a member of the chamber choir, dessert theater, district and region choruses.

Madison is also a member of the wind ensemble, performed in the Marywood Senior Wind Band Celebration and was a member of district band. She is also a member of the Honesdale High School (HHS) Players.

Madison has participated in the Envirothon, is a Student Council Member at large and vice president of the NHS.

An honor roll student, she is a volunteer at Wayne Memorial Hospital and is a member of St. John’s Youth Group.

Madison plans to attend Arcadia University on the pre-med track with a chemistry major and Spanish minor on her way to become an allergist.

Madison echoed Sara’s appreciation for her teachers, and highlighted music instructors Betty Ann Robson and Martha Curtis, “...because school is so much better because they’re there.”

Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Clark and Amy Williams of Honesdale, is in the top 10 percent of her class.

She is a four year member of the band, and a two year member of the wind ensemble.

Elizabeth participated in the American Mathematics Contest and the American Chemical Society Challenge Exam.

A student council member at large, she also serves as homeroom representative.

Elizabeth participated in the all-school play production of The Music Man, serving on the makeup crew.

An honor roll student, she is also a member of the Interact Club, and is the Blood Drive Committee Chairperson for the NHS.

Elizabeth hopes to attend the University of Scranton with an undeclared major, but has a strong interest in the medical field.

After thanking the board, she thanked the mathematics and music departments.

Elizabeth also thanked her grandmother, “...for showing me how to be independent. And to always see the good in people.

“And although she can’t be here with us today, I know she’d be very proud of me, standing in front of all of you. I’ll continue to make her, and everyone in this room, very proud.”

On behalf of the board, board member Kathy Grandjean expressed her congratulations to the three students.

“I’m thrilled on behalf of the Wayne Highlands School Board to welcome you, and we are extremely proud of you and glad that you were chosen...”

Grandjean continued by stating, “We want to thank you - the parents - for giving them such a great start in life.

“Tonight I ask that you look behind you at all your memories, look before you at all your dreams, look around at all those that love you and, most importantly, look within you because you have what you need to succeed.”

Article by The Wayne Independent Writers