Congratulations to the students who have earned a spot in the Top 10 of the Class of 2019 for maintaining the highest GPAs over their four years in high school: valedictorian Jared Sierra, salutatorian Waleed Ahmed, Alexis Dykes, Madyson Sawyer, Zagham Shah, Dylan Fumarola, Mustafa Raza, Dez’Jah Mitchell, Angelina Rodriguez and Hannah Linacre.
“I congratulate them all on their academic success and personal achievements,” said Principal Ryan Groat. “From the day they entered the ninth grade, they have remained committed to doing their individual best. They are role models for their peers in and out of the classroom, on and off the athletic field. They make all of Watervliet proud!”
With the countdown to graduation now on, Mr. Groat also took the opportunity to give the seniors a brief pep talk, encouraging them to remain focused on their goals and finish their high school careers on a positive note.
“These final weeks of school can be a challenge for students, especially seniors,” he said, “It’s easy to get distracted, but continue to keep high standards; put the exclamation point at the end of the sentence.”
Read more about the Class of 2019 Top 10 below:
Jared Sierra, #1
Jared Sierra is graduating at the top of his class with a 98.4% grade point average. He plans to attend the State University at Buffalo to study international trade. During his high school years, Jared participated in Masterminds, indoor track and Drama Club.
Q. What has been your key to success?
Studying and seeing teachers for help.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Masterminds. The random questions helped me in some of my studies. I actually learned and enhanced some of my math skills through Masterminds.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019 ?
It’s going to be stressful. Remember to breathe.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
Manipulate probability because then I could do anything. What’s the chance $1 million falls from the sky in front of me? 0 %? Let’s change that to 100%. The chance I grow wings and have the ability to fly? 0%? Yeah; no, it’s 100 percent. I could literally do anything.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job would be a translator or interpreter.
Waleed Ahmed, #2
With a 97.61% grade point average, Watervliet High School senior Waleed Ahmed is the salutatorian of the Class of 2019. He plans to study physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the fall. In his junior year, he was awarded the Rensselaer Medal, a merit scholarship for outstanding math and science students that has a value of $25,000 per year, and is guaranteed for four years for each medalist who is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer. Waleed says that studying was his key to success.
Alexis Dykes, #3
Alexis Dykes is graduating with a 97.56% grade point average and has received a full scholarship to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She plans to study editing and publishing with a minor in creative writing. While attending WJSHS, Alexis played trombone in the band, was in the school play and was a member of the volleyball team.
Q. What has been your key to success?
I treat teachers with respect and do my work on time. If I don;t understand a subject, I have teachers to fall back on, and while they are always willing to help, they will go a lot farther for you if there is mutual respect.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Band has been a huge opportunity for me to practice personal responsibility, critical thinking and cooperation with others.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Get over yourself. These teachers have seen paper clips stronger than you, and they are not impressed. Sit down, keep quiet and listen. Treat your teachers right and they will literally move heaven and earth to help you if they can.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be immense wealth, because Batman and Ironman seem to do just fine.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
I’d love to be a writer who lives in a secluded cabin n the mountains with electricity, running water and a fireplace.
Madyson Sawyer, #4
Madyson Sawyer has a 97.17% grade point average, earning her the number four spot in the Class of 2019. She will study biology at Binghamton University in the fall. Madyson participated in Masterminds, Student Council and ran cross country track during her years at WJSHS.
Q. What has been your key to success?
To focus and to study. To put my education and my studies above everything else.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Masterminds because you need to know a lot of random thing; and in order to succeed in Masterminds, I had to know a lot.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Study hard and don’t be afraid to stay after school to ask questions or get help.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to speak any language. I’d be able to understand what everyone is saying and speak to anyone.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job is to be a veterinarian.
Zagham Shah, #5
With a 97.14 % grade point average, Zagham Shah is ranked fifth in the top 10 scholars of the Class of 2019. He plans to study physics with a minor in film-making at the Binghamton University in the fall.
During his high school years, Zagham participated in the following extracurricular activities: National Honor Society, Delta Force, Student Council, varsity soccer, cross country and indoor/outdoor track, and Masterminds.
Q. What has been your key to success?
The key to my success has been striving to do my best each and every single day. Not in a cliche way either, but actually pushing and challenging myself every day.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you most and why?
Delta Force and all the varsity sports helped shape my discipline and work ethic. I sincerely thank everyone involved in those programs.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Please take high school slow. I know life may make it seem like you’re grown up but stay a kid in your heart.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
The smart answer would be time manipulation, but the inner kid in me would have to choose flight. There’s a certain sense of freedom that you can’t obtain otherwise.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
I’m open to anything really, the future isn’t set. If I’m able ti help some people, have some fun and get paid, then that wouldn’t be such a bad gig.
Dylan Fumarola, #6
Dylan Fumarola is graduating with a 94.90% grade point average. He will attend SUNY New Paltz in the fall to study Spanish. Dylan served as an officer in the National Honor Society.
Q. What has been your key to success?
I certainly think that studying played a part, but having the drive to get your work done is hat helped me the most.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Even though this isn’t technically an extracurricular, spending after school in Spanish class has helped me learn more about what I plan to study, as well as some of the tasks that teachers do on a daily basis.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Learn to mind your business. You’ll save yourself from a lot of trouble if you stay focused on your path.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want to possess invisibility because you could get into some very interesting situations with a super power like that.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job would most likely be a teacher as I enjoy learning and sharing what I have learned with others.
Mustafa Raza, #7
With a 94.76% grade point average, Mustafa Raza is ranked seventh in the top 10 scholars of the Class of 2019. He earned the Bausch + Lomb scholarship from the University of Rochester, and the RIT Founders Scholarship from the Rochester Institute of Technology where he plans to study mechanical engineering in the fall. He participated on the Masterminds team and was a member of National Honor Society during his time at WHS.
Q. What has been your key to success?
The key to my success was keeping my “eyes on the prize,” which was to graduate high school with high honors and go to college. I put all distractions to the side and hustled and grinded my way here. The support of my parents was also a big key.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Being in National Honor Society benefited me most.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
You’re not going to be able to achieve your goals overnight, but instead go step by step and eventually you’re going to achieve it. Also, have a strong faith in what you’re doing because without it, it will be hard to accomplish anything.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want to be able to teleport places. This means I would be able to go anywhere I want without having to pay for a plane ticket. It would also help when I am running late.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job would be working for car companies like Tesla, BMW and Mercedes.
Dez’Jah Mitchell, #8
Dez’Jah Mitchell is graduating with a 91.50% grade point average. She has been a member of the soccer, basketball and softball teams and received multiple coach awards for those sports, as well as the Vince Cocca Unsung Hero Award for basketball. Dez’Jah has also earned high honor roll awards. Although currently undecided on a college, she wants to study to become a nurse.
Q. What has been your key to success?
I’m not going to lie and say that school was extra hard for me. Working hard and wanting good grades was natural to me. Keeping myself focused and organized helped me with my success.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Sports definitely helped me throughout my years at WJSHS. It helped me to come out of my shell and put myself out there.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
It’s okay to be different. Always set high expectations for yourself. Your hard work will definitely pay off in the end.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could possess any super power it would be to heal all illnesses, diseases and sicknesses.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job is to be a nurse practitioner.
Angelina Rodriguez, #9
With a 91.28% grade point average, Angelina Rodriguez is in the ninth spot in the Class of 2019. She has been a varsity cheerleader, a peer mediator and a member of National Honor Society. Angelina will study marine biology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Q. What has been your key to success?
My focus on my studies and always having someone to talk to, whether it was my friends, my teachers or my mom.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
Through varsity cheerleading and National Honor Society I have learned to work with many different personalities, and I learned that giving back to the community can be fun.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Take your school work seriously from the start and always put 110% effort into everything you do.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
My super power would be the ability to breath underwater. Having this super power would make my future career easier when exploring the ocean.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
My dream job would be rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals.
Hannah Linacre, #10
Hannah Linacre is graduating with a 90.14% grade point average. She serves as co-president of her class, is a member of National Honor Society and plays percussion in band and the snare drum in marching band. Hannah will study accounting next year at either the University at Buffalo or the College of St. Rose in Albany.
Q. Which extracurricular programs at WJSHS have benefited you, most and why?
I think being co-president has taught e a lot of skills. It has taught me leadership, patience and problem-solving.
Q. Any words of inspiration or advice to share with students entering their high school years in Sept. 2019?
Don’t stress yourself out trying to be something you;re not. It’s okay to fail at things, so don’t beat yourself up if you do.
Q. If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and why?
Telekinesis would be pretty cool. It’s practical for everyday life but exciting enough to have fun with it.
Q. What would your “dream” job be?
I’d love to end up as a CFO for a big company.