Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Principal Dr. William Whalen are pleased to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Seekonk High School Class of 2024.
The valedictorian of the graduating class is Mackenzie Carlsten, and the salutatorian is Olivia Gasior.
Mackenzie Carlsten
Mackenzie Carlsten highly values her education at Seekonk High School. She has dedicated these four years to high academic achievement and increasing involvement in extracurricular activities. Mackenzie holds several leadership roles, such as being the president of Model UN and Spanish Club, treasurer of the Key Club and captain of the cross country team.
Mackenzie is also a member of the Student Council Executive Board, National Honors Society and indoor and outdoor track teams. Her unyielding commitment to academics is reflected in her many accolades, including the 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Award, Francis W. Gallishaw, Jr. Memorial Award for Academic Excellence and Brown University Book Award.
Mackenzie has shown her creativity by acting as a host for the SHS Winter Concert and Afternoon with the Arts, which are school-wide assemblies in the auditorium where students showcase their talents. As a host, Mackenzie introduced the performers and acted out skits with her co-host.
Outside of school, Mackenzie organizes and runs an annual environmental cleanup at her local hiking trails every spring. Additionally, she practices her leadership skills as the CEO of her own babysitting business. Next year, Mackenzie plans to study biology on the premedical track at the University of Virginia.
Olivia Gasior
Olivia Gasior is a driven student at Seekonk High School, both academically and in extracurriculars. She challenges herself in her academics and proves to be successful in many areas of study, with a broad range of interests.
Olivia has balanced her rigorous course load with active involvement in several of Seekonk High School’s clubs, including Science Club, Book Club, Math League, Key Club and Yearbook, where she serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief. She has had the opportunity to compete with her school in many academic events, including National Science Bowl, Physics Olympics, and Math League competitions. In her leadership positions and involvement with the school, she is passionate and always puts in the work to see the success of her own projects and those of others around her.
With over 100 hours of community service accumulated, Olivia sees engaging and connecting with others as a significant accomplishment. Her proudest accomplishment in community service is her engagement as a camp counselor at Seekonk’s summer camp.
During her time at SHS, she received the Medal Award from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), recognizing her achievements in mathematics and science. She plans to continue her education at RPI to further pursue scientific study.
“It fills me with great pride and joy to see students achieve their goals and excel academically. We wish them all the best on their continued journey,” said Kidwell.
Superintendent Kidwell and Principal Whalen also wish to recognize the entire Top 10 graduating students of Seekonk’s High School class of 2024:
- Mackenzie Carlsten – University of Virginia – Valedictorian
- Olivia Gasior – RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) – Salutatorian
- Megan Capello – College of William and Mary
- Sara Santoro – Hofstra University
- Alyssa Clegg – UCONN
- Kylie Charron – UMASS Amherst
- Kristen Nguyen – MCPHS
- Madison Ohlgren – UMASS Amherst
- Vedika Patel – UCONN
- Laura Giuseffi – Bridgewater State University
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