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Graduation day: June 7, 2013
at Watson Arena, Bowdoin College
Graduation information provided by the high school
- Top 10 seniors
Nathaniel Vilas son of Robert Vilas and Margaret Zillioux, is valedictorian of the BHS class of 2013. A recipient of a National Merit Scholarship and a Presidential Scholars Program nominee, Nathaniel was accepted early decision at Williams College where he expects to study physics and music. Nathaniel is a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He also received the Bausch&Lomb Honorary Science Award, Spanish department award, and the Dartmouth Book award. A versatile and dedicated musician, Nathaniel has attained multiple All-State and All-District designations as pianist in the BHS jazz ensemble and jazz combo and bassoonist in the BHS band program, as well as having achieved All-New England status for bassoon performance. He is principal bassoonist in the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra and the USM-based Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he performs in the Bowdoin College Orchestra, has long been active in the Youth Music Ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Church, and has won awards at several classical solo piano competitions. His individual jazz performance honors include a prestigious “Superior Musicianship†award at the 2013 Berklee College High School Jazz Festival in Boston. Nathaniel has competed on the BHS cross country and track teams for four years and was named to the KVAC All-Academic Indoor Track Team this year. He is also a member of the BHS math team.
Michelle Ingram is the daughter of John and Carol Ingram. In the fall Michelle plans to attend Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where she will study biomedical engineering and the classics. Michelle has been inducted into the National Honor Society (she is co-president), Spanish Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. She has been a two time recipient of the Davis Award, and received the Wells College Leadership Award and Chemistry Award in 2012 and the English Award in 2011. She has been involved in several activities both in and outside of school. She played field hockey, has been a member of Key Club including serving as Vice President. Michelle has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and been an usher for the Maine State Music Theater. She studied both ballet and tap dancing for eleven years and has studied the violin since she was five years old. She been working at Thornton Oaks for two years and in her spare time, when she’s not in school or working, she enjoys traveling, going on outdoor adventures and baking; she often donates baked and other food items to the Tedford Shelter.
Ranked 3rd in her class, Meghan McGuire is a gifted and creative young woman who should be proud of her many accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. She is the youngest daughter of Richard McGuire and Eileen Poulin of Brunswick, Maine. Meghan has gained respect from faculty and students alike not only for her exceptional academic talents but also for her warm and enthusiastic nature. She is the recipient of the St. Michael’s Book Award, the 10th grade English Department Award, The 11th grade French Department Award as well as the George Eastman Young Leaders Award. One of her AP teachers states, “Meghan is exquisite in her written and spoken communication. By far one of the most articulate students I have taught.†During her spare time, Meghan has devoted her energy and talent in Theatre. She is president of the Young Company Board at the Theatre Project where she has directed numerous plays. This fall she plans on majoring in Communication and Theatre at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.
Jamie Ross is the son of Laurie Leader and James Ross, both of Brunswick. Jamie plans on attending Colby College where he will major in biology. He is interested in medicine and in the future, hopes to be involved with the Doctors without Borders organization. Jamie’s aptitude and passion for science contributed to his selection for one of the BHS science department awards. He is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honors Society. The excellent self-discipline Jamie exhibits in his academic life is also very present in his athletic endeavors. He is a three season athlete who is a member of the varsity cross country, indoor track and track teams. He was selected for the all-conference KVAC class A track and field team last year. Jamie shares his love of running with younger students in his volunteer work with the Brunswick Recreation department. He is an avid outdoorsman who hopes to hike in Alaska this summer and he also enjoys sailing, biking and swimming.
Alexander Nichols is the oldest son of Tobi and William Nichols of Brunswick Maine. Ranked 5th in his class, teachers state he is polite, humble and dedicated to achieving his personal best. Alex sets remarkably high standards for himself both in and out of the classroom. He has been the recipient of the Brown Book Award as well as the R.I.T. Computing Award. A talented runner, Alex won the state 400 meters 2 years in a row.
He also won the 200 meters this year and set the state 400m state record this year - 49.93- (He is the first to ever break .50 sec!) He holds the KVAC record in the 400m and the school record in the 300m and the 400m. Other interests and activities include, NHS treasurer, Destination Imagination, Math Team as well as a member of the Garden Club and the Ultimate Frisbee team. This fall he plans on majoring in Neuroscience at a select liberal art college in New England. 
Elizabeth (Libby) Arford is the daughter of Loren and Poppy Thatcher Arford of Brunswick and currently ranked 6th in her class. Libby has pursued a course of study that would be considered “rigorous†the last four years and includes induction into both the National and Spanish Honor Society’s. She also earned National Merit Finalist recognition and was a Presidential Scholar nominee. Libby’s strong, independent nature led her to pursue a junior semester at sea through the Ocean Classroom program aboard a schooner in the Caribbean. One of her most lasting and touching experiences during this trip was a stop in the Dominican Republic helping build a school for “stateless orphans†which has continued to have a profound impact on Libby’s life. In addition, Libby’s love of sailing and the sea inspired her to pursue academics beyond the traditional high school classroom with her taking a Bowdoin College class in Oceanography. Another passion of Libby’s has been her artistic endeavors. A talented artist, Libby is also an inductee into the National Art Honor Society and has received the prestigious Scholastic Art Award her junior year. She has been a member of our soccer, basketball and lacrosse team earning a letter from each. Libby plans to continue her education at Tufts University with an interest in International Relations.
Isabella Fasulo is the daughter of David Fasulo and Carol Leach. She will be attending the University of Richmond in the fall. Isabella has been inducted into the National and Spanish Honor Societies and was the recipient of the Smith Book Award. She has served as an Environmental Youth Leader at the Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) where she volunteered at CREA’s youth camps and worked on environmental monitoring projects. In addition, Isabella has demonstrated a good deal of dedication to both dance and music. She has studied the violin for ten years and is first violin in the Coastal Chamber Orchestra; she also travels to Portland five days each week where she has studied an array of dance genres from ballet to contemporary to street jazz.
Ethan Knowles is the son of Tamara and R. Cleveland Knowles, Jr. In the fall Ethan will attend the University of Maine and study engineering. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and has been on the track and cross country teams. Ethan has been very involved in his church; he sings in the choir and for the last several summers has volunteered at the church’s vacation Bible school. In his spare time he loves to read and build models.
Michael “Jimmy†Kenyon is the son of Edward and Diana Kenyon. He plans to double major in political science and economics at the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. Jimmy has been inducted into the National, Art, Latin and Tri-M Honor Societies; he has been the recipient of the St. Michael’s College Book award. Jimmy was named to the Maine All-State Choir. He has been in a number of leadership positions including President of National Honor Society and the National Art Society as well as President of the Brunswick High School student body. He has also been captain of the both the soccer and tennis teams and was named to the KVAC All Conference First Soccer Team. Jimmy has been a DARE mentor and active in church activities including singing in the church choir. In his spare time he enjoys sailing and hiking.
Arianna “Ari†Kasabian is the daughter of Michael and Barbara Kasabian. At this time Ari has not yet decided what college she’ll attend in the fall and has a strong interest in the humanities. She was inducted into both the National and National Art Honor Societies and was the recipient of the Yale Book Award. Ari has been a member of yearbook and also the tennis team. She has served as a junior counselor for both the Maine Audubon and Wolfe Neck Farm summer camps. In her spare time Ari enjoys traveling, baking miniature cupcakes and jumping on trampolines.
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