Exceptional Seniors Honored With Awards

Superintendent’s Award Winner
Amy Tomasso has been selected as the 20112Superintendent’s Award winner. Amy is truly exceptional. From the moment she entered Farmington High School, she impressed teachers and peers with her diligence and leadership. In addition to challenging herself with a demanding course of study, she is student council president and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. An AP Scholar with Distinction in her junior year, Amy has taken courses in AP English, math, social studies, and world languages. In addition to being proficient in Spanish, she has taught herself Italian. She is conversant in both languages. Amy’s teachers cite her superior work ethic and kindness as an inspiration to her fellow students. Amy applies similar energy and devotion to extracurricular activities. As student council president, she worked all summer with other officers to develop initiatives to benefit her peers. She is also editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Perhaps most important, she designed and recruited friends for Boys and Girls for a tutorial project for which she recruited her classmates. Amy had the maturity and foresight to thoroughly research her career goal, which is to become an urban and regional planner, and to formulate a plan to actualize it.

Principal’s Award Winner
Jennifer Whaley is the epitome of the All-American high school student. She excels in every facet of her life and is a role model to everyone around her. In addition to having served as class president all 4-years at Farmington High School, Jenn has taken a demanding course load by taking primarily Honors and AP classes every year. Since her freshman year at FHS Jenn has been instrumental in elevating the status of the Girls Golf Team, leading them to the State Tournament each year. For her accomplishments she was named First Team All-State (2009, 2010, & 2011), First Team All New England (2010 & 2011), and the Most Valuable Player (2010).    Jenn was captain her junior year and is captain for her senior year as well. Jenn is a Peer Mentor and helps freshman who are struggling adjusting to high school. Jenn tutors in Hartford, CT at the McDonough Elementary School. Jenn Whaley is an exceptional person who has the ability to positively influence those around her at all times.

CABE Student Leadership Awards
Jennifer Whaley (see above) and Gunnar Moll, Farmington High School seniors, have been named as recipients of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Student Leadership Award. Based on criteria related to school leadership and active participation in the high school program, Jenn and Gunnar were nominated for this award by the FHS administration in collaboration with the Guidance Department and faculty members.

Gunnar Moll is an intelligent, focused, and driven young man. In addition to challenging himself in the classroom, he embodies core characteristics of one who is steadfast in achieving his goals. He is a student who readily participates in both school and community activities while meeting high academic expectations. Gunnar is in the top of his class after taking a mixture of Advanced Placement and honors level courses. Gunnar has also been the vice-president of the class of 2012 for the past four years. Finally, Gunnar has also been a four year member and section leader in our prestigious Symphony Strings and Chamber Orchestra. He has furthered his exposure to the arts by taking classes at The University of Hartford School of Music and has won numerous competitions, including placing first at the Connecticut Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Gunnar is a very bright, kind, and well-rounded young man with varied interests and talents.

CAS Art Scholars and Scholar-Athletes
FHS is pleased to announce that seniors Karina Marvin and Stephen Zaksewicz have been named Scholar-Athletes of the class of 2012. They will be honored at a banquet on May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.

FHS seniors Jeff Maynard and Stephen Zaksewicz have also been selected by Farmington High School to receive Art Awards from the Connecticut Association
of Schools (CAS). The awards will be presented on April 9 at a statewide Arts Awards Banquet at the Aqua Turf in Southington. This award is presented to two students with outstanding ability in the performing and visual arts.

Karina Marvin has established an impressive record of achievement and school involvement. By the end of her junior year, she was recognized by College Board as an AP Scholar with Distinction. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society where she holds the position of President. Karina has been actively involved and is a leader at FHS.

Karina is a Captain and member of the Cross Country in addition to the Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. She is active as a clarinetist in our school band and has attended the Northern Regional Music Festival since 9th grade. Karina is also Co-founder and Co- President of Above the Influence Organization. In the community, Karina has volunteered at the Farmington Libraries, Winding Trails Women’s Triathlon, and at Southington Community Services. She will attend Princeton University.

Stephen Zaksewicz is a leader in the classroom, community, as an athlete, and in music performances. Steve has achieved at a high level academically while taking the most demanding schedule possible and sacrificing having lunch for the past 3- years to take all of the classes he felt would prepare him for college. When Steve graduates he will have taken 9 AP classes, 12 music/chorus classes, and a College Course through BYU because he took are highest level of French (AP) at FHS as a junior. For his efforts on his AP exams last year Steve received the recognition of AP Scholar with Honor. Due to Steve’s academic success and community involvement he has been recognized by being admitted to the French Honor Society (President), Music Honor Society (Treasurer), Math Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

Steve is also a key member of the FHS volleyball team, which he has been selected as an All-Conference All-Academic member the past 2-years. Musically Steve has been recognized since his freshman year at the State and Regional level in chorus and orchestra. Steve has been accepted and plans to attend Vanderbilt University next fall.

Jeff Maynard is a very thoughtful and capable young man. He has established an excellent record of accomplishment, earning high honors every year. Jeff aspires to pursue a field of study that utilizes his creative and artistic talent. Academically, in addition to a strong college preparatory program of studies in the core curriculum taken at the honors or AP level, Jeff has also been enrolled in a deep art and technology sequence. His courses in studio art, arts thru technology, multimedia, computer-assisted drafting, photo design, and AP Portfolio show his versatility and skill in these fields. He has never earned less than an “A” in these elective areas.

Jeff’s teachers describe him as very insightful and eager participant in class discussions. They also state that he has good understanding and application of concepts. They applaud his willingness to develop ideas and push himself to develop quality pieces of art work. In addition, they perceive him as a bright, conscientious, and self-motivated young man. Outside of class, Jeff has further displayed his art and technology expertise. He has had various work opportunities that showcase his computer support and website capabilities.