Principal Chrabaszcz: Toll Gate class of 2015 ‘a community’

Greg Maynard
Posted 7/14/15

Toll Gate’s Class of 2015 is not so much a class as it is a community.

“They’re a group of young people that really like to be together,” Principal Stephen Chrabaszcz said of the recent …

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Principal Chrabaszcz: Toll Gate class of 2015 ‘a community’

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Toll Gate’s Class of 2015 is not so much a class as it is a community.

“They’re a group of young people that really like to be together,” Principal Stephen Chrabaszcz said of the recent graduates. He described the group as close-knit, and it is no surprise from looking at the Top 10 to see that he’s right. The students are heavily involved and devoted not only to academics, but to many extracurricular activities, as well.

“I can see their futures being very promising,” Principal Chrabaszcz said.

Dongeun Seung

Toll Gate’s 2015 valedictorian plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she will major in arts and science. She plans to later pursue a career in computer science.

In her time at Toll Gate, Seung was involved in various extracurricular activities, including orchestra, the Best Buddies club, Academic Decathlon, Math League, Art Club, Club Green, and the high school newspaper. Seung is a Science Olympiad.

She has been a recipient of several awards, including the Harvard Book Award, a Rensselear medal, and an All-State music award. She has also received a silver medal in the National Spanish Exam and a Certification of Achievement for the beautification of Toll Gate.

Having only come to the United States four years ago and knowing very little English, Seung is especially grateful of her friends and teachers, to whom she wishes to give “double cheers” for giving her so much help and support throughout her high school years. Despite the barrier of learning a new culture, Seung earned high-honor roll all four years of high school. When asked about her motivation to excel, she said it was her uncertainty in a new country.

“I just tried my best in everything, asking teachers if I didn’t understand something. I wanted to know how much I could accomplish.”

Abby Gregory

Toll Gate’s salutatorian plans to major in biology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Gregory, throughout her time at Toll Gate, held a position as President of the Best Buddies club, an assistant of the Chamber Choir of the Rhode Island Children’s Chorus, and was President of her class on the Student Executive Committee during her junior year. She also participated in Mock Trial.

Gregory is also the recipient of a RI Lieutenant Governor Leadership Award, a Holy Cross Book Award, and an AP Scholar Award. In addition, she was named an Outstanding Senior in French, and earned 2nd place in National History Day: Individual Performance.

She graduates with gratitude toward her teachers for helping to shape her into who she is today.

“The teachers here motivate their students and inspired me to do my best,” she said. Gregory would also like to give a significant thanks to history department head, Dr. Wood.

“[She] has been so influential in my life for the past four years. She has encouraged me in all I do and has been a mentor to me. She is the person I turn to with questions, and I owe so much of my success to her, Gregory said, reflecting on her four years in high school.

Gregory’s motivation to excel came from her involvement in extracurricular activities.

“I have found that passion translates to success, and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given through my involvement.”

Sydni Charette

Ranked third, Charette will be attending the University of Rhode Island to major in cell and molecular biology on a pre-med track. She plans to minor in psychology and Spanish.

In her time at Toll Gate, she was involved with the Student Executive Committee, was President of Student Senate, a Science Olympiad, a varsity athlete on the volleyball team, and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Best Buddies club, President of the National Honor Society, 2013 alum of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar, and a member of the Spanish club and the Friends of Rachel club.

Charette is a recipient of a Brown University Book Award, a HOBY Award, and a President’s Volunteer Service Award, presented to her by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Charette also placed second in National History Day’s in-state competition and participated at Nationals.

She is gracious to the team of support she had throughout her time at Toll Gate.

“My Mom and friends have provided an amazing support system throughout my high school career and helped me to de-stress on the most overwhelming of days.” Charette also wishes to thank two teachers, Erin Woulfe and Stephanie Catanzaro, for mentoring her and helping her feel at home at Toll Gate. When asked about her motivations for success, Charette said she was propelled by her passions.

“I was motivated by a passion to become involved and to see my hard work pay off. I wanted to make both myself and my family proud, and prove that anyone can overcome hardships if they have the determination to pursue greatness.”

Jared Paolino

Ranked fourth, Paolino plans to attend the University of Vermont and major in engineering. Throughout his career at Toll Gate, Paolino was a devoted athlete, participating in varsity cross-country, basketball, and outdoor track. He as received a number of awards and recognitions for his involvement in sports and academics, including Cross-Country Academic All-State, Cross-Country Coach’s Award, Saint Michael’s College Book Award, and a Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Achievement Award.

Paolino looks back at his high school career in fondness:

“I will remember the friends I have made and the amazing experiences I have had because of them. My family has contributed to the most of my success and enjoyment of high school. My parents’ support and encouragement, and my older sisters, have all set positive examples for me to follow.”

Jared, when asked about his motivation to excel, said,

“I am motivated by a passion for learning and a desire to improve myself in all facets of life.”

Hunter Heberg

Heberg, ranked fifth in his class, plans to attend the University of Vermont. Throughout his high-school career, he played varsity soccer and varsity tennis. He was a captain on the tennis team. Hunter is a recipient of the Rhode Island College Book Award and a Franco-American Heritage Award.

He contributes most of his success to the support of his parents, although, Heberg’s drive was also unearthed from within. “I was motivated largely by my own ambition,” he said.

Dakota DelSignore

Ranked sixth, DelSignore will attend the University of Vermont to major in either civil or mechanical engineering with a possible minor in internal relations. DelSignore played on Toll Gate’s baseball team in his freshman through junior year, and in his senior year played on the tennis team. He also spoke as a senior class representative at school committee meetings. In his junior and senior year, he was a member of both the National Honor Society and the Italian Honor Society. He was also named Best Senior in Italian.

“My parents and teacher have always motivated me to exceed academically,” DelSignore said.

“Teachers I’ve had throughout high school including Wayne Politelli and Dennis Dubee have made my time here more rewarding and beneficial for my future.”

DelSignore thanks his friends for making the ride an enjoyable one. He moves on remembering what he had gained through his high school career.

“I will remember the friendships I have made and the bonds I have formed with many teachers. I’ve learned many life lessons during high school and cultivated a plethora of knowledge and rewarding experiences.”

When asked about his motivation to excel, he said, “The constant support of my parents and my drive to always go beyond the average level of achievement. I knew that quality and consistent hard-work would lead to endless positive outcomes in my school and personal life.”

Schuyler TenEyck

Ranked seventh, TenEyck will attend the University of Connecticut, majoring in Real Estate and Urban Economics in the School of Business.

In her time at Toll Gate, TenEyck was a devoted tennis player. She played four years of varsity tennis, and was named team Captain her senior year. She participated in the Best Buddies club all four years and was named Vice President her senior year. TenEyck also took on the role of being an ASK mentor for freshman students.

TenEyck not only represented Rhode Island in our nation’s capital at National History Day in her freshman year, but also took home the title of school and state winner. She is the recipient of a Bryant Book Award, a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Rhode Island Honor Society. TenEyck is also a recipient of the 2015 Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award, presented to her by Secretary of State, Nellie M. Gorbea.

Looking back on her years at Toll Gate, Schuyler will remember playing on the Girls Tennis team, the friendships she has made, and a school trip to France that she participated in this past April.

Schuyler thanks history teachers Kate Rauch and Wayne Politelli, Spanish teacher Christina DeFrancesco, tennis Coach Gary Gorman, and math teacher Tamra Gallo.

Reaching the top ten of her class has always been something of a goal for Schuyler.

“I have always dreamed of being in the Top 10 and worked extremely hard throughout high school to make that dream a reality,” she said. Schuyler would also like to thank her parents.

“They supported and motivated me throughout the process.” In reflecting back on her past four years and what is to come, Schuyler said;

“I enjoyed my years at Toll Gate and cannot wait to start a new chapter in college.”

Mara Martinez

Ranked eighth, Martinez will be attending the College of the Holy Cross in the fall to study biology. In her time at Toll Gate, she was Secretary of the Best Buddies club, Vice President of Student Senate, Treasurer and Secretary of the Executive Committee, a volunteer at the Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need, and a member of the National Honor Society. She has worked as a tutor, and is also a Science Olympiad.

Martinez is a recipient of a St. Michael’s College book award and 2nd place winner in Rhode Island National History Day.

She credits her success and enjoyment of high school to the friends she has made.

“They kept me focused and motivated while also providing me with a shoulder to lean on,” she said.

“The encouragement of both my parents and teachers and my self-determination motivated me to work to my fullest potential in everything I did.”

Grace McGrath

Ranked ninth in her class, McGrath plans to attend the Wentworth Institute of Technology and major in biomedical engineering. She will also play for their women’s soccer team during her enrollment.

In her time at Toll Gate, McGrath played girl’s varsity soccer. In her senior year she was named Captain of the team. She was also a member of the Friends of Rachel Club, a tutor, a volunteer at Scott Elementary School, and a Science Olympiad.

McGrath was a member of National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society for Spanish, and a 2nd place winner in the National History Day in-state competition.

“The thing I will remember the most about high school is the people,” she said. “All the memories I will take away from Toll Gate were made possible by my friends, classmates and teachers. My friends and I have been in the same classes and clubs for the past four years and without them, high school would not have been the same.”

McGrath contributes her success in Toll Gate to her parents and teachers.

“They supported me in everything I did and without their support, I don’t believe I would have enjoyed high school as much,” she said. “My friends and teachers have also contributed in a major way by making even the hardest classes fun.”

When asked about her motivation to excel, McGrath said it was instilled on her at an early age that success came from hard work. “By the time I reached high school,” she said, “I was self-motivated to work hard and to constantly strive to do the best that I could in every aspect of my life.”

Evan Cummiskey

Ranked tenth, Cummiskey will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall to major in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice and minor internal relations and political science.

In his years at Toll Gate, Cummiskey was secretary of the National Honors Society and also served as an ASK mentor. He ran on the cross-country team for four years, participated in outdoor track for two years, and indoor track for one year. He ran all-class and all-division for Toll Gate’s cross-country team. He has been recognized as an Outstanding Runner and was also awarded and Un-Sung Hero Award for cross-county.

Cummiskey is a member of the National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society. He is a recipient of the Mary Borra Award for Foreign Language. He is also a Junior Leadership Conference Attendee.

“My four years of high school have granted me a lot of good memories and good friends,” he said, “but more importantly have allowed me to explore my interests and figure out exactly what I want to do with my life in the many years to come.”

In addition to mentioning his family and friends for making his high school experience more enjoyable, he also would like to thank three select teachers.

“Mr. (Wayne) Politelli, my history teacher, for broadening my horizon of the world, Mr. (Christian) De Francesco, my Spanish teacher for introducing me to how fun learning languages can be, and Madam (Georgette) Jackson for spending time after school to teach me French.”

Evan kept an eye on his future to stay motivated throughout his high school career.

“I was motivated to do my best because I knew that it would open up future opportunities for me in college. I was motivated by my ambition to be the best person that I can be.”

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