Meet the Baker's Dozen for the Class of 2024
1) Kelsey Dwyer
Honors: National Honor Society, Rensselaer Medal Winner, National Merit Scholarship Commendation, Section III Pole Vault Champion
School activities: Soccer, Indoor Track and Field, Lacrosse, National Honor Society
Activities outside of school: Student Advisor to the Baldwinsville Community Scholarship Foundation, Club soccer
College you plan to attend and major: Massachusetts Institute of Technology; mechanical engineering
Career plans: I would like a career that allows me to travel.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for you future: Baldwinsville has prepared me for my future by providing me with the opportunity to participate in both unique and challenging classes, as well as excellent sports programs.
2) Emma Huhtala
Honors: National Honor Society, NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete, OCC President’s List, AP Scholar with Honor Award, National Merit Scholarship Commendation, Rotary Student of the Month
School activities: Crew, National Honor Society, Interact Club, Student Council
Activities outside of school: Rowing, babysitting my two younger sisters, volunteer work
College you plan to attend and major: University College London; majoring in English
Career plans: I hope to find a career in which I can make a difference through writing.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for you future: Baldwinsville has taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my life. It has also allowed me to develop lasting friendships and connect with teachers, counselors, and coaches who truly care about their students. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Lori Arigo for supporting me through my high school career.
3) Jessica Witz
Honors: Scholastic Gold Key In Editorial Cartoon, Scholastic Silver Key in Poetry, Scholastic Honorable Mention in D&I, RIT Business and Leadership Scholarship, Wells College 21st Century Leader Award, Rotary Project Leader Award, Rotary Student of the Month, AP Scholar, 10x Scholar Athlete, Various regional Science Olympiad medals, National Honor Society, OCC Dean’s List
School activities: P2 member, SAC representative for P2, Science Olympiad, Rotary Interact Club, National Honor Society, Cross Country, Indoor track
Activities outside of school: Creative Writing Intern at a mental health nonprofit, co-founder of a musical content curation business
College you plan to attend and major: University at Buffalo in the honors program as a presidential scholar; I plan to major in chemical engineering
Career plans: I hope to be involved in the synthesis of new forms of cost-effective energy to help rural communities, especially those in India, since my family immigrated from there.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has allowed me to make very many great friends, who have always been a support system for me. I am grateful to Baldwinsville for facilitating the process of gaining any relationship, positive or negative, as they have taught me important lessons about myself.
4) Ryan Wilson
Honors: National Honor Society, Commended student, OCC Dean’s List, AP Scholar Award
School activities: Varsity cross country, varsity indoor track, varsity outdoor track, National Honor Society
Activities outside of school: Syracuse Chargers Volunteer, HumaneCNY cat socializer, recreational ping pong, lifeguard
College you plan to attend and major: Colgate University; general biology.
Career plans: I would like to travel the world working on environmental/animal conservation.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: BCSD has granted me more opportunities than I can say yes to and placed me in the right classes that set me up for an inevitable success.
5) Angelee Overbey
Honors: National Honors Society, Scholastic Gold Key Art, Elks Lodge Student of the Month
School activities: Student Council, Key Club, Ski Club, Art Club, National Honor Society
Activities outside of school: Infinity Dance Academy Competition Team, Life Youth
College you plan to attend and major: Binghamton; majoring in biomedical engineering
Career plans: I hope to work in the biomedical field to help improve technology in medicine.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has helped prepare me for my future by providing me with teachers and friends who support me unconditionally. I am thankful for everyone who has made a positive impact on my life.
6) Andrew Jung
Honors: National Merit Scholarship Commendation, Byrne Dairy & Deli NewsChannel 9 Athlete of The Week, AP Scholar, National Honor Society
School activities: Key Club President, Varsity Soccer and Tennis, Honor Society, Math League
Activities outside of school: Vintage Clothing Reseller, CNY Korean School Teaching Assistant, Elden Elementary School Student Mentorship Program
College you plan to attend and major: Hamilton College; Applied Mathematics/Economics
Career Plans: Corporate job, data analyst, Quantitative analyst
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Teaching staff and peers were very supportive throughout my 12 years, and the district always provided me with the resources needed to thrive. I’ve also built valuable connections with many people in Baldwinsville that I hope to carry forward after graduation.
7) Sofia Beck
Honors: 4 BCSD Certificates of Excellence, USFSA Gold Medal in Partnered Pattern Ice Dance, Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards, and Liverpool Elks Lodge Student of the Month
School activities: Student Council, Senior Council, Student Advisory Council and National Honor Society
Activities outside of school: Figure Skating (solo, ice dance, and synchronized), Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, Volunteering and Girl Scouts
College you plan to attend and major: I plan to attend Yale University and major in Political Science.
Career plans: I hope to become a political analyst, as it would allow me to promote civic engagement and help others stay informed.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has provided me with a variety of opportunities, classes, and resources that have allowed me to become a more well-rounded individual. Moreover, my supportive teachers and guidance counselors have encouraged my creativity, passions, and thirst for knowledge.
8) Jack Forman
Honors: National Honor Society, RIT Computing Medal, George Eastman Young Leaders Award, and 3X Tennis captain
School activities: I am one of the Senior Class Co-Presidents, as well as a member of the Key Club, Rotary Interact Club, Student Council, and Varsity Tennis
Activities outside of school: I work at a restaurant, I tutor several subjects, and I often volunteer for different community events.
College you plan to attend and major: University of Massachusetts Amherst; Computer Science
Career plans: I am pursuing a career in computer sciences and quantum computing and hope to work for a big technology company in the future.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has provided me with a high quality education through teachers who care about their subjects and me, spanning from kindergarten through my senior year (shout out to Mrs. Resseguie and Mrs. James!).
9) Nela Loftin
Honors: National Honor Society, Volleyball SCAC Class AAA Honorable Mention, RIT Science and Math Award, Seal of Biliteracy
School activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Outdoor Track & Field, Student Council, Class Council, Environmental Club, Math League
Activities outside of school: Part-time job at Sardos Mangia Bene
College you plan to attend and major: Swarthmore College; Environmental Engineering
Career plans: I hope to become an environmental engineer and help economically disadvantaged communities combat the clmate crisis.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: I am leaving Baldwinsville with an amazing support system and many life-long relationships! I am honored to have met some lovely people throughout my time here, and I am grateful for their support of my future endeavors. I am confident that my time at Baker has prepared me well for the next chapter of my life!
10) Emily Giocondo
Honors: National Honor Society, OCC Dean’s List, AP Scholar, RIT Women in STEM, Elk’s Student of the Month
School activities: FCCLA, Student Council, Class of 2024 Council, Student Advisory Council, Honors Society
Activities outside of school: Helping Hounds Volunteer, work at Sal’s Pizza and Buffalo Pharmacies at St Camillus
College you plan to attend and major: Cornell University; Human Biology, Health, and Society
Career plans: I plan to work in the medical field as a pharmacist and help make a positive impact on people’s health.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has prepared me through the amazing staff and endless opportunities. I will carry with me the knowledge I have learned as well as life skills that I have gained over the years at Baker.
11) Raegyn Wells
Honors: National Honor Society, NYSPHSAA Section 3 Field Hockey All-Star, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team Award, NFHCA 2024 High School Impact Senior Team
School activities: Field Hockey, National Honors Society
Activities outside of school: Volunteer Junior Coach at Girls on the Run, Hostess/Server at Canal Side Cafe and Bistro
College you plan to attend and major: University at Buffalo; majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering
Career plans: Research and/or development of medical technology
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: The Baldwinsville community has supported my goals and success in every aspect. I am excited to take everything I’ve learned into the next stage of my education!
12) Leah VerSchneider
Honors: National Honor Society, St. Lawrence University Book Award Scholarship, All CNY Large School Top Softball Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Third Team All State Softball Team, Scholar Athlete, Team Captain.
School activities: Student Council, FCCLA, Honors Society, Class Council, Softball, Unified Bowling
Activities outside of school: Softball, Volunteer Work
College you plan to attend and major: St. Lawrence University; Major Environmental Science and Chemistry
Career plans: I plan to become an environmental scientist and work to protect our environment and address environmental changes.
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: Baldwinsville has prepared me by giving me countless opportunities, resources, and connections to expand my knowledge and prepare me for my future. It has also created friendships that have given me beautiful memories and that will last a lifetime.
13) Ava Wickes
Honors: National Honor Society, NYSPHSAA Individual Scholar Athlete
School activities: Volleyball, Flag Football, Youth Alive, Rotary Interact
Activities outside school: Club Volleyball, Faith Formation teacher, Beach Volleyball
College you plan to attend and major: SUNY Alfred State for Sports Management and volleyball.
Career plans: College Coach, Entrepreneur
How has Baldwinsville prepared you for your future: The staff at Baldwinsville have encouraged me throughout the years to be my best, even in each of my assignments. I am able to use the work ethic I have developed in the future towards my career path and working for others around me.
