The top 10 graduating seniors in the Steinert High School Class of 2022 shared their future plans and favorite memories with Community News.
Madelyn Kausch
Georgetown University | Biology
Rank: 1 GPA: 5.0273. Career plans: Medicine/medical Research
Clubs: DECA, National Honor Society (secretary), SGA, Senior Class Secretary, German National Honor Society, Key Club, Science National Honor Society, Environmental Science Club, Math Club.
Varsity sports: Cross country, winter track, softball.
Schools: Sayen, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: My German teacher, Mrs. Smith (AKA Frau). She has made learning the language so fun over the past four years and has given me a love for the German language and culture that will always stay with me.
Favorite memory: One of my favorite memories of school is going to the international DECA conference this past year.Me, my friend Emma, Mr. Yacyk, our advisor, and Mrs. Yacyk all flew to Atlanta for the conference.
Jazmin Abouelsaad
Wake Forest University | Exercise science
Rank: 2 GPA: 4.9372. Career plans: Undecided
Clubs: National Honor Society (president), Key Club, Spanish club, SGA, Art Committee.
Schools: Morgan Elementary School, Reynolds Middle School
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Ryan inspires me.This man is one of the hardest working people I know, and anyone who steps into D1 can back me up on that statement. At the end of the day every action Mr. Ryan takes in the classroom is so he can see his students succeed. He always has his students’ best interests in mind and it shows in and out of the classroom. Whenever I make a private comment on Google Classroom asking to go over a homework problem, he takes the time to incorporate my question into the lesson the next day. Most teachers wouldn’t go out of their way to do that, let alone with that short of a notice. There have been countless times where I get a notification at three in the morning because Mr. Ryan is up grading or replying to my private comments, or even just posting new assignments. I’ve never heard Mr. Ryan complain even when it is completely justified. The only time he was out this entire year was when he had a procedure done, but even then this man hosted Google meets from his house to teach us. Mr. Ryan is extremely dedicated and I hope that one day I’ll love my job just as much as he does his.
Favorite memory: Watching Mrs. DeBonis awkwardly talk about Sigmund Freud’s five psychosexual stages as kids in the class asked her questions that were even more awkward to answer.
Christopher Philburn
The College of New Jersey | Mechanical Engineering
Rank: 3 GPA: 4.9258. Career plans: Disney Imagineer
Clubs: Peer Leadership, Jazz Band, Key Club, Math Club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society.
Varsity sports: Tennis (captain)
Schools: Alexander, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mrs. Burke, Mr. Ketterer, and Mr. Jacobs. I had Mrs. Burke in third grade and she instilled a love for learning in me that carried throughout my schooling career. Her upbeat attitude made me love going to school which led me to grow both as a student and a person. I’ve had the pleasure of having Mr. Ketterer as my band teacher in some form or another for the past 9 years. He constantly pushed me to be the best musician I could be and never gave up on me, no matter how unmotivated I was. Lastly, Mr. Jacobs’ constant jokes never failed to make me laugh, and reminded me to never take life too seriously.
Favorite memory: My favorite memory was competing in Mr. SHS as Mr. Tennis. I never thought that I could have so much fun dancing to Taylor Swift. My fellow contestants and everyone else involved with the show made it a truly unforgettable experience.
Kaitlyn Eaves
Franklin and Marshall College | Biochemistry
Rank: 4 GPA: 4.8947. Career plans: Medical Research
Clubs: Key club, National Honor Society, German National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society
Varsity sports: Lacrosse and field hockey.
Schools: Sayen, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Leonardo, my 5th grade teacher, inspired my love of learning because of how fun and informative his classes were.
Favorite memory: Mr.SHS.
Andrew Philburn
Ursinus College | Environmental studies and biology
Rank: 5 GPA: 4.8902. Career plans: Environmental Scientist
Clubs: Environmental Science Club, Key Club, Marching Unit, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society.
Varsity sports: Tennis (captain).
Schools: Alexander, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mrs. Brown inspired me by showing her passion for science. Mrs. Brown was devoted to my AP Biology class. Through her extensive preparation for labs and lectures, she inspired me to put that same passion and effort into my own work which has led me to become the young scientist I am today.
Favorite memory: During my sophomore year the marching unit performed at states. This was a feat that has not happened for many years so it was a truly special experience to be a part of.
Daniel St. John
Lehigh University | Mechanical Engineering and Design
Rank: 6 GPA: 4.8781. Career plans: Set designer
Clubs: Math Club, Peer Leadership, School Musical, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society
Varsity sports: Tennis
Schools: Sayen, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Ryan inspired me to try my hardest in everything I do by showing me that I know how to find the answers, I just need to stop and think.
Favorite memory: Senior Prom
Olivia Matakonis
University of Rhode Island | Anthropology
Rank: 7 GPA: 4.8653. Career plans: Archaeologist
Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Student Government Association.
Varsity sports: winter track, spring track and field.
Schools: Morgan, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mrs. Crivelli, my 6th grade World History teacher, helped me realize how much I loved to learn about the history of past civilizations.
Favorite memory: Homecoming 2019. I wasn’t really all that interested in it, but my friends ended up convincing me to go and I had one of the best times of my life.
Emma Yorke
Bucknell University | Markets, Innovation and Design
Rank: 8 GPA: 4.8615. Career plans: Digital/Commercial Advertising
Clubs: Senior Class treasurer, SGA vice president, DECA, Key Club, Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, German National Honor Society
Varsity sports: Cross country, winter track, spring track.
Schools: Morgan, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Yacyk was my XC and track coach, DECA advisor, and marketing teacher, as well as a huge inspiration to me. As someone who went into high school unsure of what I wanted to do after graduating, Mr. Yacyk pushed me to consider business as a potential career path, leading me to where I am today.
Favorite memory: Co-hosting Mr SHS with my sister (even though I lost my voice).
Julian Golik
Colorado School of Mines | Geological Engineering
Rank: 9 GPA: 4.8558. Career plans: Hydrogeologist in the public sector
Clubs: Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society.
Varsity sports: Soccer and swimming.
Schools: Yardville, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: My fourth grade teacher, Miss Brock, now Mrs. Mercer, inspired my dedication to the subject of geology by letting me teach my class the rocks and minerals unit.
Favorite memory: Being crowned Mr. Steinert High School.
Emily Andrusiewicz
University of Pittsburgh | Biology
Rank: 10 GPA: 4.8388. Career plans: Genetic counselor.
Clubs: National Honor Society (vice president) Science National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Student Government Association, Key Club, Steinert Marching Unit Color Guard (captain and drum major), Steinert Musical Theater.
Schools: Sayen, Reynolds
A teacher who inspired you: Mrs. Brown, my AP Biology teacher, inspired me because not only did she push me, as a student, farther than any other teacher, but encouraged me to pursue my interests in science with confidence and curiosity.
Favorite memory: Leading the Steinert Marching Unit as a Drum Major for my senior year.
Steinert High School’s Class of 2022 Top 10 stuidents. Front row: Madelyn Kausch, Daniel St. John, Jazmin Abouelsaad, Olivia Matakonis, Emma Yorke, Julian Golik, Christopher Philburn, Emily Andrusiewicz, Kaitlyn Eaves and Andrew Philburn.,
