York High School held its graduation at 6 p.m. June 11 at the school. The following students were the top 10 percent of the class of 2015.

CusackEMMA ELIZABETH CUSACK, valedictorian, is the daughter of Michael and Susan Cusack, and sister to Matthew and Amanda.
Emma received many awards for mathematics, science, English and French. She was a 2014 AP Scholar, a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Award, and a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language National Honor Society for French. Emma also served as a student listener and senior facilitator her senior year. As a tutor for the Writing Center, she provided assistance to other students on English assignments. She was a three-year member of the soccer team and a four-year member of the tennis team. In the winter, she enjoys skiing with her family, which she has done since she was five years-old. Emma also volunteered coaching a girls soccer team for the York Soccer Club. She was a member of Sober Friends throughout high school and was a representative for Student Government for two years.
Emma will attend Tufts University, where she will pursue a career in biomedical engineering.

KnoettnerHANNAH MARIE KNOETTNER, salutatorian, is the daughter of Gregory and Julianna Knoettner and older sister of Emily.
Knoettner was a member of the National Honor Society, World Language National Honor Society, AIDS Education Team, Interact Club (vice president), Writing Center and Prom Committee. She also mentored a freshman team as a senior facilitator. She received several awards, including the Wellesley Book Award, and academic awards in biology, physics, statistics, English and French. She received high honors all four years of high school. She was selected to participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and in Girls State, where she will serve as a junior counselor. She also volunteered at York Hospital and mentored a young girl in elementary school for two years as a student listener. She played lacrosse for two years, and then served as team manager.
Hannah intends to participate in a 3-2 Biomedical Engineering program between Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology.

The remaining commencement scholars listed in alphabetical order.

BennettMICHAEL JAMES BENNETT, is the son of Kathleen and James Bennett of York.
Michael played four years of soccer and was a four-year volunteer youth soccer coach and referee for the York Soccer Club. He was also a member of both indoor and outdoor track for three years, winning two indoor state championships and one outdoor championship, and captaining both teams his senior year.
Michael has a passion for music and was a four-year member of the Jazz band and a member of the Chamber Singers his senior year. Michael was a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language National Honor Society for Spanish. He won several academic awards, including ones for excellence in Spanish, English and BC Calculus. Outside of school, he is an avid outdoorsman and loves to hike, rock climb and camp.
This fall, Michael will attend Bates College, where he plans to study biology.

BychokEMMA BYCHOK, is the daughter of Michael and Natalie Bychok, of York.
She was a member of TIDALWAVSE, the National Honor Society, and the World Language National Honor Society for German. Emma was captain of the cross country and indoor track teams. She also has had a passion for music. She was a member of the Chamber Singers for three years and attended the District and All-State festivals for singing. She also maintained honors all through high school.
Emma will attend the University of Rhode Island, where she plans to pursue interests in music and education.

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carrKENDALL CARR, is the daughter of Jerry and Sandi Carr.
She was a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Chamber Singers, TIDALWAVSE, Sober Friends and Interact. She was secretary of Student Government and a senior facilitator. Kendall won the 2015 National
Championships with the Portland Jr. Pirates youth hockey team. She also served as captain of the hockey and softball teams for two years, and played varsity soccer for three years. She enjoyed helping out in the community, especially with York Little League and the York Soccer Club. During the holidays, she enjoys delivering Christmas presents donated by the Maine State Police to children at Maine Medical Center.
She will attend Wesleyan University and play ice hockey for the Cardinals. She plans to major in biology and Spanish to pursue her dream of becoming a bilingual pediatric surgeon.

CromwellGRACE CROMWELL, is the daughter of Beth and Ray Cromwell, of York.
She was a member of the National Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society, and a writing tutor for two years. She also was a senior facilitator. She was captain of the York Equestrian Team for the past two years and has been an equestrian for 12 years. She was an active member and volunteer at First Parish Church including mission trips, Sunday School teacher, and Vacation Bible School leader.
Grace will attend Colgate University in the fall to study biology in the pre-medical track.

GauthierZACHARY GAUTHIER, is the son of Michael and Naomi Gauthier.
Zachary participated in athletics all four years of high school and was involved in extracurricular clubs. He was captain of the varsity soccer and basketball teams while participating in the Interact Club, a community service group, and TIDALWAVSE, the substance free mascots of the high school. He was inducted into the National Honor Society his junior year and received several awards for individual success in his classes. Zachary enjoys coaching youth basketball and volunteering at his mother’s camp for children with heart defects as a group leader and counselor.
Zachary will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall where he plans to major in health and exercise sciences.

GoliniOLIVIA GOLINI, is a daughter of Jack Golini of Wakefield and Catherine Gmelch, of York.
She was an active member in school and the community. She acheived honors or high honors throughout her high school career,
Olivia was a four-year member of TIDALWAVSE (Teens In Drug Awareness Leading, Working, And Valuing Self-Esteem); the vice president of the National Honor Society; a four-year Student Government representative; the Vice President of her graduating class; a member of the French World Language Honor Society, and a senior facilitator in her last year. Aside from these, she strived in athletics, as she was a part of the varsity lacrosse team and the state-championship field hockey team, while managing the girls’ ice hockey program in the winter. Outside of school, she volunteered for Caring
Unlimited as a day-care worker for the past three years. Olivia plans to bring her talents to Phillips Andover in the fall, where she will take a postgraduate year to play field hockey and lacrosse.

LerouxCLAIRE LEROUX, is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Leroux.
Claire was a member of the Interact Club, Action Team, Sober Friends, and a member of St. Christopher’s Youth Ministry. She was president of the National Honor Society and a member of the World Language Honor Society for French. She attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference after her sophomore year. She was a senior facilitator and student leader for which she received the Physical Education Student Leader Award. Clairewas involved with athletics throughout high school. She was a varsity outdoor track athlete throughout high school and a varsity soccer athlete for three years. She played junior varsity basketball for two years, was captain of the junior varsity basketball team her sophomore year. She received the Coach’s Award before pursuing indoor track her junior and senior year. She received the Williams College Book Award her junior year for her high academic achievement while being involved in many extracurricular activities. She also greatly enjoys music. She participated in the school’s band and was a three-year member of the Chamber Singers. Every spring for the past 16 years, Claire has been a part of St. Christopher’s Church’s play “To God be the Glory” and now cantors at mass from time to time.
Claire will attend Villanova University’s College of Nursing in the fall.

LillieAMANDA LILLIE, is the daughter of Theresa and Shawn Lillie and older sister to May, 9, and Garrett, 16.
She is a four-year member of the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams, and captain of both in her senior year. She helps coach and referee youth soccer teams and enjoys running during the off-season. Outside sports, she has studied classical piano for 12 years and has begun writing her own compositions, both instrumental and vocal. She was a flute player in the concert band for three years and is currently a two-year member of the Chamber Singers.
During her senior year, she played piano in the Jazz Ensemble, worked as a tutor in the Writing Center, and was a senior facilitator. She was also an intern for Northeast Flavor Magazine last summer. She won many awards, including the Yale University Book Award and the Maine Principals’ Association Award. She is a member of both the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.
She will attend Tufts University.

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TaylorTAYLOR PELLETIER, is the daughter of Denise and Jason Clark of York.
Taylor was a contributor to the school’s newspaper, The Agamenticus Sun, and became an editor in her senior year. She was a leading member of the debate team, becoming co-captain her junior year and captain her senior year. Her passion for debate helped her to excel in state tournaments and qualify for nationals in Dallas his summer. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the World Language Honor Society for Spanish. She received the Phi Beta Kappa Academic Achievement Award as well as numerous other academic achievement awards in math, science, English, Spanish, and the social sciences. She also dedicated her time to volunteering at Families First in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Taylor is attending Amherst College, where she plans to study either political science or law, jurisprudence and social thought.

RohrerEMMA JANE ROHRER, is the daughter of Marilene and Tyler Rohrer of York.
Emma began at York High School her junior year. She served as class historian her freshman, junior and senior year, and is a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She also received academic awards for both French and social studies. She is also a member of the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. Emma also served as an assistant coach for York
Soccer Club, a mentor for an elementary school student, and volunteered at York Hospital. This year, she became an active member of the debate and speech teams, competing in several state-wide meets and earning membership into the National Forensic League for Speech and Debate.
She has received a merit scholarship at the University of Connecticut, where she will be studying physiology and neurobiology and pursuing a career in the medical field.

ShawLYDIA ANN SHAW, is the daughter of John Shaw and Thea Rostad.
Watching her parents work in their family-owned restaurant, Frankie and Johnny’s, has taught Lydia the importance of hard work and perseverance. During her time in high school, Lydia participated in Interact, Debate Team, and Young Woman’s Leadership Team. Lydia was a member of both the indoor and spring track teams, which reached states for four consecutive years. Outside of school, she volunteers at York Hospital, plays golf, rock climbs, skies, sails, and has participated in multiple mission trips; most recently building an irrigation system for a small village in Spain.
This fall Lydia will attend Dartmouth College, where she plans to study biomedical engineering

Sobotka-23AMANDA SOBOTKA, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Melanie Sobotka, of York.
She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Société d’Honneur Française. She maintained honors and high honors throughout high school. She also received academic awards in French, social studies, health, science and music. She was part of the Concert Band for four years; participated in the Districts I Honors Music Festival for three years; and was a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Amanda danced at Brixham Danceworks for 14 years, where she was a teacher’s assistant with younger classes. She was also a member of the Brixham Repertory Company and Dancers Making a Difference.
Amanda will attend Bates College, where she plans to pursue interests in French, environmental studies, dance and English

yauchJOE YAUCH, is the son of Peter and Patricia Yauch.
In high school, Joe took courses in calculus, the study of life beyond Earth (Astrobiology), music, and social science electives such as Holocaust Studies and European History. He was a three-season athlete and a captain for cross country, indoor and  outdoor track. He was a member of the school jazz band and a jazz combo at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center; a volunteer at White Pine Programs; a member of TIDALWAVSE (Teens In Drug Awareness Leading Working and Valuing Self Esteem); and the editor of the school newspaper.
Joe plans to attend Colby College.

York High School’s Class of 2015

Matthew J. Abruzzese, Samantha R. Ackerley, Hannah L. Albert, Joseph M. Albert, Conall R. Anderson, Hannah Armstrong, Tyler J. Barrows, Edward P. Bengtson, Michael J. Bennett, Christopher R. Bent, Colby S. Berger, Daniel P. Bock, Andrew M. Brenna, Forrest H. Brenske, Hannah E. Brown, Justin T. Burley, Nora B. Burns, Emma M. Bychok, Alexandra V. Cable, Thomas Joseph Canino, Brendan M. Carney, Kendall E. Carr, Stephen A. Carr, Zachary C. Carroll, Hugh M. Castorina, Elaine K. Cavalieri, Nicole M. Chipi, Jacquelyn Compositor, Malory C. Connolly, Tucker I. Corbett, Grace E. Cromwell, Kiana S. Cryan, Cameron J. Curtin, Emma E. Cusack, Matthew G. Cusack, Erin S. D’Aquila, Jack H. de la Pena, Jacqueline E. Eaton, Madeleine Ejdys, Jack G. Engholm, Samantha L. Fagone, Sequoia Blaise Fister, Eden K. Fitzgerald, Jessica M. Foggarty, Marissa L. Ford, Devan A. Fountain, Justin C. Frecker, Addison E. Fredette, Georgiana Luff Gardner, Zachary D. Gauthier, Thomas G. Giffen, David P. Giles, Olivia Golini, Gabriela Gomes, Dillon T. Goslin, Adelle Goyetche, Alex L. Gutierrez, Alexander C. Hallas, Amanda Hamilton, Hunter L. Henriksen, Jason M. Henson, Nicholas E. Heyland, Megan L. Hiney, Keelan F. Hynes, Zane C. Insko, Sarah Kate E. James, Adam F. Jannetti, Alexandra M. Jutras, Mark Kalnin, Joshua T. Karpowicz, Brad E. Kelley, Kara E. Kelly, Kayla R. Kelly, Lisa K. King, Hannah M. Knoettner, Kyle M. LaBossiere, Cecilia M. Lacouture, Alison P. Lamoureaux, Lars C. Lauersen, Abigail Leclerc, Claire C. Leroux, Amanda G. Lillie, Eric B. Lindbom, Mark C. MacGlashing, Jonathan Mackaman, Emily M. Mahoney, Samuel A. Mark, Mariah D. Masse, Paige A. McElwain, Erin M. McKenna, Kevin C. McKenna, Kyle John McKinnon, Patricia G. McMurray, Brandon T. McWilliams, Julia E. Mello, Katherine Melo, Griffin W. Mercer, Cole A. Merritt, Marcus S. Mitchell, Casey S. Moaratty, Caleb Tyler Moglia, Makenzie R. Moore, Alexandra L. Murphy, Alexandra I. Navarrete-Young, Celina Neal, Derek A. Neal, John M. Neary, Griffin Cervantes-Erow O’Connor, James D. Orso, Ashlee Ortstadt, Taylor C. Paavola, Hannah C. Panteleos, Robert A. Papp, Emma E. Patten, Taylor A. Pelletier, Rachel M. Peters, Jordan P. Pidgeon, Elizabeth Potito, Matthew P. Pratt, Colin A. Reed, Autumn Elisabeth Rees, Madison K. Roberts, Samantha J. Robinson, Rebecca L. Rogers, Emma J. Rohrer, Anthony E. Ruest, Jacob W. Selbach, Brooke L. Sevigny, Lydia A. Shaw, Mark E. Slusher, Connor B. Smith, Amanda A. Sobotka, Danielle A. Sparks, Haley Spiegel, Alexander R. Steffenberg, Owen R. Talley, Catherine H. Talty, Graem W. Timmons, Alex J. Turgeon, Matthew C. Wacker, Nicholas A. Walsh, Amber Wells, Hannah K. Will, Brandon J. Wong, Blain J. Wood, Joseph P. Yauch and Clare E. Zicari,


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