BY DERRICK PERKINS
Four years ago, Cassandra Costello graduated first in her class at Pelham Memorial School. Now, she’s the top student again. Costello is the valedictorian of Pelham High School’s Class of 2009.
“I’m excited about graduating, but I love Pelham High School at the same time,” said Costello, 18, who will address her class as valedictorian at the school’s Friday, June 19, graduation ceremony. “I’m going to miss a lot of my teachers and friends, so there’s kind of mixed feelings.”
This fall, Costello will begin her study of modern languages at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. She wants to be a high school Spanish teacher.
“She has a great command of the language,” said Spanish teacher Allison Walker, who’s been a mentor to Costello. “She’s very energetic; she has a passion for it. I feel she’s going to be very good.”
Spanish has been an important part of Costello’s academic life. She’s president of the Spanish Honor Society, took all the Spanish courses the school offers, and studied Spanish literature at the advanced placement level as an independent study.
She also learned how a teacher does her work. While taking a Teaching in the 21st Century course as part of the Future Educators Academy, Costello helped develop a project assignment with Walker for her Spanish III students, presented it to the students, helped answer questions, and observed the students as they presented their work. Costello has also helped Walker tutor students.
“(Teaching) is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said.
In addition to her class work, Costello competed in lacrosse and field hockey, and participated in National Honor Society, Peer Outreach, and served as a student ambassador.
The No. 2 senior, the salutatorian, is Gina Guimond, 17, who will attend Northeastern University in Boston and is interested in health science. She’s been active in student government, NHS, Peer Outreach, lacrosse, field hockey and the school’s dance team.
“I can’t believe (graduation) is coming,” said Guimond. “I’m ready to move on. I’m so excited about college, but again I’m going to miss (Pelham High). I’ve put so much time and effort into this school.”
Dawn Ely, 18, who is the class essayist, the No. 3 senior, will attend Ithaca College in New York, where she will major in writing. She’s interested in editorial work or communications.
“I had a lot of really inspirational writing teachers here at Pelham (High),” said Ely. “I’ve taken essay writing, college writing, creative writing and they’ve all helped me really develop myself as a writer.”
She’s competed in tennis, and has been active in the drama club, prom committee, and in the French and National honor societies.
Guimond and Ely will also address their class at graduation.
There are 145 seniors.
All three students took honors and AP classes, and will receive scholarship money at the colleges they’re attending. They credit the support of others, including parents, friends and teachers, along with selfmotivation, for their success.
“There are so many teachers here who absolutely love what they do in every subject,” said Guimond, who credits teacher Lauren Streifer for turning her on to biology. “Every one just loves the subject areas they teach and it helps the kids.”
At times, the students found themselves doing school work at unusual times to get their work done. Costello has worked through lunch. Guimond has hurried to the library between classes to finish papers. Ely would do homework and read during drama club rehearsals when
not on stage.
And there were times when they didn’t always get enough sleep.
“Juggling school work, friends, sports, outside life, and all the clubs – it was hard,” said Guimond. “Time management was something that we learned.”
“Kind of,” said Costello, with a laugh.
“I’d say juggling all that was a challenge in itself but now looking back on it I’m happy I did it,” added Guimond. “Because now I know what to do … at college, where we’re going to have a lot harder homework, a lot more things to do.”