Top 10 Seniors

Mr. George Niesz, Greenwich High School Principal, is pleased to announce the top ten graduates of the Class of 2023.

Pictured from left to right:

Front row  (left to right) – Alexander Baker, Declan Kelleher, Kaitlyn Lavoo

Back row (left to right) –  MacKenzie Dixson, Teagan Wright, Norah Niesz, Catharine Abate, Grace McFarren, Maeve Kelleher, Keegan Collins

 

Teagan Wright - Teagan is the daughter of Deborah and David Wright. She is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Future Business Leaders of America (Historian, Past Reporter) (FBLA), NYS FBLA Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society, Future Farmers of America (Treasurer) (FFA), Tech Club, Varsity Choir, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Math League, French Club, Varsity Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Varsity Soccer. Teagan has been awarded the Seal of Biliteracy, Heisman Scholar High School Honoree, NYS FBLA Intro to Business Competition 3rd place and Advertising 5th place,  FFA National Gold Ranking (Food Science and Technology Competition),Cross Country NYS Team Champion and Two-Time Runner-Up, Team League and Sectional Team Titles for Indoor, Outdoor and Cross Country, NYS Cross Country Class C Top 10 Individual, Greenwich Community Character Award, Capital Area School Development Association Students Who Make a Difference Award and the Hudson Crossing Park-Seedling Award. Teagan is also a piano accompanist, and an Angel Pusher with Ainsley’s Angels of America.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Remember that life is not meant to be wasted. We can always be chasing the sun. So fill up your lungs and just run. But, always be chasing the sun.” - Sara Bareilles

Future Plans - Teagan will be attending South Dakota School of Mines & Technology where she will be studying Mechanical Engineering.

 

Norah Niesz - Norah is the daughter of George and Maureen Niesz. She is a member of NHS, Spanish National Honor Society, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Softball, Greenwich Band (Saxophone) and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Campaign (Team Member of the Winning Campaign). She has been awarded NYS Girls Basketball Regional Champion 2022-2023, Section 2 Class C Girls Basketball Champion 2022-2023, NYS Class C Softball Champion 2022, First Team Wasaren League Girls Soccer 2022, Section 2 Girls Basketball Wasaren League MVP 2022-2023, Section 2 Girls Soccer Class C All-Star 2022, 2nd Team All-State Girls Basketball 2022-2023, 2nd Team Times Union Small School Girls Basketball All-Star 2022-2023, Scholar Athlete, Grishkot Scholarship, and the Augsbury/North Country Scholarship. She is also an altar server at St. Joseph's Church and a Comfort Foods volunteer.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Future Plans - Norah will be attending St. Lawrence University where she will be studying Biomedical Sciences and playing on the Women's Basketball team.

 

Catharine Abate - Catharine is the daughter of Sean and Patrice Abate. She is a member of NHS (Treasure), Math League (League High Scorer), Varsity Track and Field, Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Soccer (Captain, Wasaren League Defensive MVP, First Team All-Section, Fourth Team All-State), and Varsity Basketball (State Semifinalist). She has been awarded the College Board Rural and Small Town Recognition and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Award. She is also a Greenwich Youth Soccer Coach and a Comfort Foods Volunteer.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “I believe in hope. I believe in believe.” -Ted Lasso

Future Plans - Catharine will be attending Colgate University where she will be studying Biological Sciences with a concentration in Business.

 

Grace McFarren - Grace is the daughter of Scott and Amy McFarren. She is the founder and president of the Greenwich Jr. Sr. High School HOPE Club. She is also a member of NHS and the Spanish National Honor Society. She sat on the Greenwich Youth Center Board in 2020-2021, and sits on the Governor’s Youth Council and the Washington County Youth Board this year. She is also running her own photography business. She has been awarded a scholarship to attend SUNY Adirondack tuition free.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote -  A healthy balance between school and fun is so important. Don’t spend so much time doing work that you forget to enjoy what you love.

Future Plans - Grace will be attending SUNY Adirondack where she will be studying Outdoor Education.

 

Alexander Baker - Alexander is the son of Mathew and Brandii Baker. Alexander is a member of NHS, National Technical Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. He attended the New Visions Engineering program this year. He is also a member of FBLA (1st place in Client Services in the District). He has been awarded the Clarkson University High School Achievement Award and the 4-H Cashmere-For-Kids Showmanship Award.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - Expect nothing, but appreciate everything.

Future Plans - Alexander will be attending Cornell University where he will be studying Electrical Engineering.

 

Maeve Kelleher - Maeve is the daughter of Maryann and Tim Kelleher. Maeve is a member of NHS (Vice President), FBLA (Vice President), FBLA National Honor Society,  Students to Oppose Pollution, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Student of the Year), Student Council, Willard Mountain Freestyle Mogul Team (Captain, USSA Eastern Freestyle Moguls Top 100 Ranking), Spanish Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Capital Region Human Rights Symposium, Youth of St. Joseph’s (President), Varsity Soccer (Captain, League All-Star Honorable Mention), and Varsity Lacrosse (Captain, Foothills Council Honorable Mention). She also attended the American Legion’s Girls State last spring. Maeve has been awarded the New York State Scholar Athlete Award and the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony Frederick Douglas Award. Maeve is a volunteer coach for the community youth Lacrosse and Soccer programs. She is also an Irish Step Dancer and an Altar Server at St. Joseph’s Church.

Future Plans - Maeve will be attending SUNY Brockport where she will be studying Exercise Science in the 3+2 program and playing on the Women’s Lacrosse team.

 

Declan Kelleher - Declan is the son of Maryann and Tim Kelleher. Declan is a member of NHS, Spanish National Honor Society, Math League, Mock Trial Team, Yearbook Club, Student Council, Senior Band (French Horn, 2019 NYSSMA Level 4 Soloist), All County Band (2019 & 2020), Students Against Destructive Decisions (Secretary), Students to Oppose Pollution (STOP, Treasurer), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Campaign (Team Member on the Winning Campaign), Willard Mountain Freestyle Ski Team (Captain, Top 10 Ranking), Varsity Soccer (Captain, First Team League All-Star), Varsity Lacrosse (Captain), Varsity Football (New York State All-State Kicker). Declan attended The American Legon’s Boys State last spring. He has been awarded New York State Scholar Athlete, the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. Declan is an altar server at St. Joseph’s Church, volunteers annually serving Thanksgiving meals at the Equinox and coaching and refereeing youth lacrosse and youth soccer.

Future Plans - Declan will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point where he will be studying Physics.

 

MacKenzie Dixson - MacKenzie is the daughter of Nicole and John Dixson. MacKenzie is a member of NHS, National Technical Honor Society, Varsity Field Hockey (Captain, First Team All-Star Wasaren League), Varsity Lacrosse (Captain, First Team All-Star Foothills), Varsity Track and Field (Wasaren League All-Star Section 2 4x200 Relay, Class D 4x200 Relay - 2nd Place, Wasaren League Section 2 1st Place 50m Hurdles), HOPE Club (Secretary), Science Club (President), STOP Club (President). MacKenzie has been awarded the Times Union Best of the Week Section 2 (4 Time Winner), Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award and the Russell Sage Scholar Award.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” - Max Depree

Future Plans - MacKenzie will be attending Nazareth University where she will be studying Physical Therapy in their 3+3 program.

 

Keegan Collins - Keegan is the daughter of Kevin and Jill Collins. Keegan is a member of NHS (President), Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council (Class President, Treasurer), and Varsity Track and Field (State and Federation Weight Throw 1st Place, Indoor Shot Put and Weight Throw Sectional Champion 21-22, Outdoor Shot Put and Discus Sectional Champion - 21-22, Indoor Weight Throw Sectional Champion 22-23). She has been awarded the Russell Sage Scholar Award, Capital District Leadership Award, and Scholar Athlete.

Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - Do what makes you happy!

Future Plans - Keegan will be attending the University of Albany where she will be studying Public Health and competing on the Women's Track team.

 

Kaitlyn Lavoo - Kaitlyn is the daughter of Deborah and Michael Lavoo. Kaitlyn is a member of NHS, French National Honor Society, Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Cheer (Sectional Champion Team), Varsity Field Hockey (Waseren League First Team All-Star), French Club and STOP. Kaitlyn has been awarded Scholar Athlete, the National Rural and Small Town Award, the Alfred University Scholars Award, and has earned her Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Award. Kaitlyn was nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: National Security-Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense. Kaitlyn volunteers each Thanksgiving delivering meals.

Future Plans - Kaitlyn will be attending the University of New Haven where she will be studying Homeland Security and be part of the Women’s Cheer team.