Board of Ed Applauds Exceptional Students

Eleven Farmington High School seniors joined the Board of Education Monday night for what Chairman Mary Grace Reed called “the best night of the year.” And though they are all talented musicians, athletes and scholars, none performed. Instead, they simply came to be recognized for who they are and what they’ve achieved.

“This is the only time the Board of Education gets the intimacy of acknowledging you for the extraordinary work that you have done …It’s really a time when we get to talk together, hear what it is about Farmington that is special to you and tell you how incredibly spectacular you are and how proud of you we are and also acknowledge your parents,” Reed said.

Farmington High School Principal Tim Breslin did most of the talking during the Class of 2011 Student Recognition Night, describing why each student was chosen for his or her award.

First, Kaitlyn Helfrich was honored as the Superintendent’s Award winner.

“It would be hard to imagine this school without Kaitlyn,” Breslin said, noting that though she has volunteered throughout high school, been active in sports and music, “I know her for her warmth and approachability.”

Reed commended Helfrich as president of Student Council. Reed said she had sat in on one early morning meeting when the council had a lengthy agenda and was surprised at Helfrich led the meeting.

“I remember thinking I need to ask her how she does this,” Reed said.

Breslin singled out Conor Brooks and Katharine Meigs from “the nicest group of seniors I’ve ever worked with” to receive the Prinicipal’s Award.

“What impressed me about Conor is he lost an election this spring and he said to me afterwards, ‘I don’t care what I do. I just want to help out,’” Breslin said. “When a seat came vacant he ran for it and he won. In the words of the student government advisos, ‘he has really been indispensable.”

Kat Meigs is an eight-season rower for the creaw team and a captain this year.

“She’s also an outstanding student,” Breslin said. “She’s ranking number three in her class – by a hair – and one of her teachers said ‘I am thrilled when I see a student’s great potential coupled with a passion for science.’”

Meigs thanked the board in return.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity I’ve had in Farmington from academics to sports to music and especially for the Board of Education support for the crew team,” she said.

Brooks echoed her sentiments, thanking the board for “sticking up for us. Without you guys this school would be nothing like it is,” he said.

Senior Class President Evan Cooper, who became familiar to the town through his constant petitions at town meetings, and All-Conference basketball player Uju Momah received the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Student Leadership Award.

The board commended Cooper for his leadership in organizing students to attend budget meetings and for the grace with which he addressed the town during the difficult budget season.

“You stood up for the student body and for your school but you also never alienated the community,” Reed said.

Of Uju she said, “You have the most gentle spirit of a passionate person that I have ever known and wherever you go you must remember that is what makes you different.”

Along with Farmington High School leaders, the class also boasts some amazing artists. Yeaeun (Julie) Lee is an accomplished student, singer and flutist, who plays with several local and regional ensembles. She and Stephen Manning, a visual artist, won the Connecticut Association of Schools Arts Scholars awards.

Instrumental teacher Tom Johnston called Lee “one of the finest students I have taught in my 25 years and maybe the finest performer,” Breslin said.

Stephen Manning created his own comic book for his Capstone project. Because the Capstone project is still being developed, Reed said his success at the project and his input into it would help shape the program for coming students.

“Stephen, you are really a pioneer doing groudbreaking work when it come to our Capstone,” Greider said. “Just your creativity and how you have worked here at the high school really has inspired others.”

Stephanie Winslow and Kevin Michalak are the class scholar athletes.

Winslow is also an AP Scholar and a member of several honor societies. Maybe more impressively, Winslow is a Friends Program volunteer. The club seeks to bring special needs students and mainstream students together in friendship.

Through work with Friends,  “You have made a permanent difference in people’s lives. It’s really very powerful,” Reed said

Michalak is an All-American soccer player, AP student and a member of three honor societies. But it’s his humility the board focused on.

“You would think with all the accolades Kevin has earned in the past few years – probably more than nay other kids I’ve had in school – that he might be promoe to having a swelled head, but that’s simply is the opposite,” Breslin said. “He’s an extraordinarily nice, kind, gentle soul.”

The last two students were Farmington’s Class of 2011 valedictorian Tarek Shoukri and salutatorian Xinni Cai.

“Being Farmington High School salutatorian is an honor ….you will forever carry with you that  I think is a very significant honor and we feel fortunate to have a lovely young woman carry that honor,” Reed said

Shoukri is a student with an insatiable appetite for learning and a passion for history in particular, Breslin said. But in a crowd, in the lunchroom, it’s impossible to spot the valedictorian or salutatorian, he said, “because they are such gentle, kind people and they blend in so nicely.

Board member Ellen Siuta said she remembered Shoukri from long ago and said his humility is amazing.

“You are one humble guy, you really are,” Siuta said. Her son Jack is friends with Shoukri, Siuta recalled finding out he had been named valedictorian.

“I said to [Siuta’s son] Jack, ‘Did you know that Tarek was your valeictorian?’” she asked. “Yes, I’ve known that for years,” was Jacks’ response.

To read Principal Tim Breslin's description of each student's accomplishments,