Oyster River High School Announces Class of 2020 Top 10

*This version includes additional information about the Class of 2020 top 10 students*

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse and Principal Suzanne Filippone are pleased to announce the Top 10 students for the Class of 2020, who will be honored along with their fellow classmates at a socially distanced graduation ceremony next week.

Class ranking is based on the soon-to-be graduates’ with the highest cumulative GPAs for their grade.

“These seniors are great examples of what the students at Oyster River High School are capable of,” said Superintendent Morse. “We’re honored and proud to celebrate their incredible achievements not just over the last four years, but during their entire academic careers. We wish them the best as they start this next chapter of their lives.”

Leah Zamansky of Durham, Valedictorian

Leah is the daughter of David and Jennifer Zamansky. Leah is a National Spanish Award gold medalist, president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Leah also earned the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award for her leadership skills and academic All-Star status. After performing nearly 200 hours of community service over the last two years, she earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Art emphasis.

Leah is the captain of the high school’s swim team, earning both leadership and sportsmanship awards for the team. She is a clarinet player in the NH Youth Band and New Hampshire Music Educators Association (NHMEA) All State/Chamber Festival.

After gaining admission to the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College, Leah plans to attend Dartmouth College in the fall to study biological sciences and hopes to become a pediatric surgeon.

Ty Mountain of Lee, Salutatorian

Ty is the son of Ryan and Barbara Mountain. He was the recipient of the Yale Book award, Excellence in Math Award, Boy’s State Award, and Economics and Business Award. Ty was first in the state for the Stock Market Game, an online simulation of the global capital markets that teaches students in grades four through 12 about economics. Ty is a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. In his commitment to excellence, Ty was also a member of the student academic integrity committee. He will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Art emphasis.

Ty is a member of both the alpine ski and golf teams. He is co-captain for the golf team and earned the status of First Team All-State. He is a member of Oyster River High School’s Student Athlete Leadership Team and has been a member of the student senate throughout high school, and is the group’s president this year. Ty has been a member of Oyster River High School’s Best Buddies program for the last four years.

Ty was accepted to the Miami University Honors College, University of Colorado Boulder Honors College, Syracuse University, Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Utah Honors College. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall to study biomedical engineering.

The remaining honorees, in alphabetical order, are:

Caleb Chinburg of Durham

Caleb is the son of Karen Crowley and Jon Chinburg. He is a member of National Honor Society, math team, boys’ soccer, and part of the ACE Mentor Program. He was the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award, University of Rochester Xerox Award, the ACE Mentor Program National Scholarship, Teacher Choice Mathematics Award in both nine and 10 grade, and was part of the state championship team for the 2019 NH Stock Market game. He will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis. Caleb was accepted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Drexel University, and the University of New Hampshire. He will attend the University of New Hampshire as a presidential scholar, double majoring in civil engineering and sustainability, with a minor in architecture. He will then continue for an accelerated masters in Structural Engineering.

Laura Dreher of Durham

Laura is the daughter of Jean Harcourt and Mike Dreher. She is a member of National Honor Society, both the varsity field hockey and ice hockey teams for the past four years, plus three years on the varsity lacrosse team, and is a member of the Seacoast United field hockey team. She was the recipient of the Brandeis Book Award, earned All-State honors for field hockey in 2017, 2018, 2019 and named to 2020 twin state team for both field hockey and ice hockey. Laura also served as captain for both of her ORHS teams this year. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis. After applying for early decision, Laura will attend Smith College and plans to major in microbiology and play field hockey.

Natalie Eddy of Madbury

Natalie is the daughter of Catherine and David Eddy. She is a member of the National Honor Society, serving as secretary. She was the recipient of the Smith Book Award, was the ORHS representative to New Hampshire American Legion Girls’ State program and earned a silver medal on the national Spanish Exam. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis.

Natalie is a committed dancer in tap, jazz and modern styles. She was accepted to Colby College, Middlebury College, Hamilton College and the University of New Hampshire. She will attend Middlebury College to study economics. As for future career goals, she looks forward to seeing what path she will find herself on, already knowing she is drawn to psychology and sociology along with other social sciences. 

Shannon Foulds of Barrington

Shannon is the daughter of Margaret and Jason Foulds. She is a member of National Honor Society, Oyster River’s Student Athlete Leadership Team (as well a founder and the treasurer), she played varsity lacrosse, was a unified sports partner, and played on the girls’ volleyball team. Shannon is a volunteer at both the Barrington Public Library and Riverside Rest Home.

She was the recipient of the Michigan Book Award and Scholar Athlete award. She will also be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar. She was accepted to the University of Connecticut Honors Program, University of New Hampshire Honors Program, University of Maryland, University of Delaware Honors Program, University of Rhode Island Honors Program, and University of Michigan. Shannon will attend the University of Michigan, where she plans to study movement science on a pre-med track. She sees herself headed down a path to being a physical therapist or family physician.

Brady Mountain of Lee

Brady is the daughter of Ryan and Barbara Mountain. She was the recipient of the Sage College Book Award and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis. Brady is committed fully to her dancing, dancing with Sole City and the New England Dance Project throughout high school.

She is a violinist in the school orchestra and is a member of both Best Buddies and the Red Cross Club. She was accepted to the University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire Honors Program, Hofstra College, University of Utah, James Madison University, Miami University of Ohio, Elon University, the University of Arizona Honors Program, Ohio University Honors Program and the University of Colorado-Boulder Honors Program. Brady will attend the University of Colorado-Boulder Honors Program to study dancing and pursue pre-med.

Zoe Pavlik of Durham

Zoe is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Pavlik. She earned recognition as a National Merit Scholar for her exceptional academics. She also earned the College of the Holy Cross Book Award and Society of Women Engineers High Honors and New Hampshire Scholar Athlete Award. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis.

Throughout high school, Zoe has been a member of both the cross country and swim teams. She also plays the cello in the ORHS Orchestra and the UNH Youth Orchestra, and plays the flute in the UNH Youth Band and the school musical. She was accepted to Amherst College, Brandeis University, Olin College of Engineering, Mount Holyoke College, the University of Maine and the University of Vermont. She will attend the University of Maine to major in ecology and environmental studies.

Jane Schwadron of Durham

Jane is the daughter of Katharine Duderstadt and Nathan Schwadron. She was the recipient of the Mount Holyoke Scholarly Book Award and is a member of the French Honor Society. She will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with both a STEM and Arts emphasis. She loves the outdoors and finds joy in surfing, scuba diving and hiking. Additionally, Jane spends her free time creating art. She has also volunteered at the Freedom Café and at the University of New Hampshire doing research. She was accepted to Clark University, the University of Miami, University of New Hampshire and the College of William and Mary. She will attend the University of New Hampshire to study ocean engineering.

Austin Throop of Lee and Durham
Austin is the son of Rebecca Throop, of Lee, and Thomas Throop, of Durham. He was the recipient of the Saint Michael’s Book Award for Academic Achievement and Social Conscience and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.

He was also awarded the Scholar Athlete Award and will be recognized as a New Hampshire Scholar with a STEM emphasis. Austin has committed himself fully outside of the classroom as well. He is a member of both the golf and baseball teams, has been the highest earner in charity events, and has held jobs both during the summer and school year. He was accepted to Butler University, Marquette University, Syracuse University, Union College, the University of Denver, University of Pittsburgh and Villanova University. He will attend the School of Computing Information at the University of Pittsburgh.

Graduation details

A socially distanced graduation ceremony will be held at Oyster River High School, 55 Coe Drive on Friday, June 12 between noon and 7 p.m.

Students and their families will arrive by car to the high school where students will then be able to get out of the car with their families. Students will walk across the stage, have their name read and diplomas presented. The Durham Police Department along with ORHS faculty, staff and administration will be helping to direct students and their families. This ceremony will be live streamed and information on where to watch the ceremony will be shared at a later date.

All performances and speeches will be recorded ahead of time and shared on the morning of graduation. Videos and photographs will also be taken of students receiving their diplomas, which will be compiled into a second video and shared with students and their families.

Faculty and staff wish to relay to the community that they are tremendously proud of the Class of 2020, and look forward to celebrating their achievements with them at graduation.

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