Part 1 of a two-part feature.
The teachers, guidance counselors and administrators at Hamilton High School West have selected eight seniors as this year’s Academic Achievers. Each nominating teacher has written a testimonial, as well as each student. The Hamilton Post is proud to recognize four of the students this month. The other four will follow next month.
Viviana Bossi, world languages
Italian teacher Maria Alberta Baril writes:
I have known Viviana for over three years in various capacities. She has been involved in the Italian National Honor Society for three years, and has served as President since September of this year. During her four years in Italian classes, Viviana has been one of the top 10 percent achieving a 4.00 GPA every marking period. She has also excelled academically in other subject areas, and has been recognized as an Honor Roll student since 2011, a National Honor Society member since 2012 and receiving Academic Award accolades in grades 10 through 12.
Viviana is a thoughtful, experienced and qualified student leader who deserves formal recognition as the world languages representative. Viviana has gone above and beyond as a leader in Italian classes at Hamilton High School West. She has balanced her extracurricular and academic responsibilities and made a lasting impression on me and many other individuals. She is involved, dedicated and caring—the poster child of student leadership. Viviana’s outstanding qualities make her a worthy and deserving nominee for this year’s Academic Achievers team.
Viviana Bossi writes:
The Italian language has opened up doors for me to learn and expand my knowledge in not just a different language but also in a different culture. Culture has and will always play an important role in my life. Throughout my life I have been surrounded by nationalities such as Colombian, Uruguayan, Brazilian, Venezuelan, Costa Rican, Ecuadorian, Argentinian and many others. My Spanish heritage has impacted me immensely because it has provided me with the knowledge of an entirely different language and has made me understand the different types of traditions in just one continent.
Being bilingual has influenced me into studying Italian and learning how different it is from the cultures to which I have already been exposed. I remember my first day of Italian class and how excited I was because I was finally given the opportunity to learn a different language other than one I already had mastered. Throughout my four years of Italian at Hamilton High West, I have been able to learn the beautiful Italian language and its history.
Italian, as well as many other languages, are not just a different way of speaking, they are what makes the world diverse and that’s what intrigues me the most about our world languages.
Mitchell Fechter, technology
Technology teacher Gregory Paulick writes:
Mitchell has been quite active in the engineering and technology classes since his freshman year at Hamilton High West. He has performed at the top of his class in various areas of study related to new and emerging STEM topics. Mitchell has always put forth tremendous effort and showed tireless diligence when solving and engineering a solution to any challenge put in front of him. His understanding of the Engineering Design Process and how it can be used as problem solving technique critical to thoughtful design. Mitchell also has the intentions of continuing his education in either mechanical engineering or advertising design.
The amount of Mitchell’s volunteer service and work experience outside of school are evidence of his commitment to helping his community. He has been a lifeguard at the YMCA and is trained in CPR and First Aid. That also allowed him to begin teaching swimming to children between the ages of 2-15. He has volunteered to serve meals at the Special Olympics, ran a water station for the NJ State Triathlon, and raised money for Ryan’s Quest.
Mitchell has demonstrated this social awareness in his courses at the high school. He has helped design floor plans for families living with disabilities, helped develop a new DC charging device capable of powering different hand-held electronic devices. His current GPA is 3.6, and he is a member of National Honors Society and has achieved highest honors in each of his many Technology courses taken here at the school. He has taken three Advanced Placement classes, along with honors English and GALRE.
His versatility is evident by his well-rounded approach to school and community, working in many STEM related projects, participating in boys’ soccer, winning many different honors and awards including being an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, Ryan’s Quest and Special Olympics, along with being a teacher to young children in many different roles.
We are honored to proudly nominate Mitchell Fechter as our Hamilton High School West technology education nominee. His well-rounded, socially responsible approach to academic and life exemplifies the standards in pedagogy critical to prepare him to be a future professional in technology and engineering.
Mitchell Fechter writes:
I have been in a technology class for four years, and I knew from Day One that I wanted to pursue this field as a career. The combination of technology, critical thinking and prototype building is what made these classes stand out to me.
I started with Computer Aided Design my freshman year. My sophomore year, I moved to Tech Center I. I progressed through the levels every year. These classes opened my eyes to new career opportunities and topics that I enjoyed. Unlike other tech classes, Tech Center I, II and III combined parts from other subjects all into one program. I really enjoyed the process that we would start with an idea, create sketches, design it on the computer and then finally make a 3-D model or prototype.
The Technology Department has really helped me chose the career I want to pursue. I enjoy the hands-on work, but also I like all the design work we do. I enjoy a class where I can build prototypes while solving problems. The exposure to this field has made me want to pursue higher education and a career in design or engineering.
Hesbon Isaboke, science
Science Department chair Elizabeth T. Giampiccolo writes:
It is my very great pleasure to write this letter on behalf of Hesbon Isaboke, a student in my A level chemistry his junior year and a student in my AP level Chemistry class this year.
Hesbon is an excellent student; he easily comprehends challenging topics and quickly grasps complex ideas. He has goals to pursue an education in the sciences, and has chosen the arduous path of multiple AP science courses to make this a reality. Combining intelligence and diligence, he maintains grades that are well above average. In addition to his pursuit academic excellence in the sciences, Hesbon also challenges himself with AP level and honors level courses in all academic areas, and this hard work has enabled him to maintain his position at the top of his graduating class.
Setting high standards for success, Hesbon shows the perseverance to attain and surpass these goals. He is acutely aware of the importance of hard work both in and outside the classroom, is an extremely cooperative student, who interacts well with his fellow classmates, willingly offering his time to help others. Hesbon does not allow personal disappointments to dampen his enthusiasm or lesson his strong aspirations for personal growth and intellectual development.
Hesbon is a member of National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, as well as several other honor societies, and serves Hamilton High School West as a varsity athlete. Additionally, service to the community is demonstrated through the many clubs he faithfully and happily contributes his time. Hesbon represented Hamilton West in Science League competition as a member of the AP Biology team, and will again represent Hamilton High School West on the AP Chemistry team this year.
Hesbon shows a genuine interest in the field of science, frequently expressing his strong desire to continue his studies at collegiate level, and using his innate intelligence, coupled with his strong work ethic he will make this a realization.
Hesbon’s intelligence, reliability, conscientiousness, integrity, and strong commitment to excellence make him an outstanding representative for as the science academic achiever.
Hesbon Isaboke writes:
In 2012, Oscar Pistorius was the first amputee to compete in the Olympics. Despite having both legs amputated, he was able to run for his country, South Africa, in a time of 45.20 seconds in the 400m event. This proves how much science and technology has evolved to empower disabled people.
Although some needs cannot be met just yet, the future is very optimistic as long as we invest in science. My mother passed away due to cancer a year ago. Contribution and research for cures and better treatment methods is one desire that motivates and increases my interests in science. With science comes opportunities to develop products and procedures which would advance mankind.
I am pulled by the possibilities of the power of science. Not only has science provided effective medicine for certain diseases, it has also provided new technology we depend on, new ways of producing food and a better way of understanding the world we live in. The future holds many more discoveries.
Mackenzie Kostin, business
Business teacher Phil Panfili writes:
I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Mackenzie Kostin as an Academic Achiever.
Kostin is an outstanding student with considerable potential. She has been a student in the Business Department for all four years at Hamilton West. She received academic awards in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, and is a member of both the National Technical Honor Society and the National Honor Society.
Kostin has taken Introduction to Microsoft Office, Desktop Publishing, Advanced Desktop Publishing, Web Design, Multi-Media Presentations, Business Administration, Marketing, International Business, Honors Accounting, Financial Literacy and Investments. She is a stellar student and takes her coursework very seriously, currently earning a GPA of 4.03.
In addition to being one of my most gifted students, Kostin was also my Yearbook Club president. Yearbook Club is difficult to join, with only 4-5 students accepted each year. I could not have chosen a better student to become president. Kostin was the lead designer of the Yearbook Club; responsible for coming up with creative ideas, and making sure her fellow workers met the ideas she had come up with.
Kostin was also head design editor for The Criterion, the school newspaper. She showed such excitement about the design process, and was more knowledgeable than anyone in the club that she decided to work alone on the layout and design. She was solely responsible for acquiring the graphics and articles, scheduling a printing session, and coordinating with the content editors to meet certain deadlines. Kostin excelled at all aspects of these tasks, and I never had to worry about her meeting a deadline or handing in sub-par work.
She was also involved in many other sports and clubs within our school, being the FBLA president, Consumer Bowl president, Key Club member, DECA member, field hockey and lacrosse player.
It is for the reasons above that I, without hesitation, nominate Mackenzie Kostin as an Academic Achiever. She is more than deserving of this prestigious award.
Mackenzie Kostin writes:
Business is prevalent in our world today, and has become indispensable in our lives. Nearly everything an individual does is directly or indirectly related to business. The business classes at Hamilton West have been a major building block for my interest and future career in the business world. I am a numbers person, and honors accounting gave me the opportunity to solve complex problems in the financial world. I especially enjoy developing marketing and business plans and learning about business all around the world.
Business is like New York City, the city that never sleeps. The constant change and past-paced environment sparked my interest, and that’s when I knew the business world is where I wanted to pursue my career. I am an active member in all of the business clubs, organizations and honor societies Hamilton West has to offer. Whether I am preparing financial statements in accounting, studying businesses around the world or developing marketing plans, I know I am going to contribute and succeed in whatever aspect of business I pursue.
I am truly honored to be chosen for such a highly esteemed award, and I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given.
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