The Board of Education recognized Newtown High School’s top demi-decile students for the Class of 2020, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Leadership Award-winning students, those who earned the Western Connecticut Superintendents Award, and the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) scholarship winning student at its meeting on June 2.

The meeting was conducted virtually, with attendees calling in or joining by video.

Newtown High School Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco read the names of the NHS Class of 2020 top demi-decile students so they could be honored at the meeting. The top demi-decile is the top five percent of the graduating class. This year’s demi-decile students are valedictorian Sophia Guizzo and salutatorian Jackson Hebner, along with (listed alphabetically): Milan Chand, Justin DeThomas, Michael Enaye, Kylie Giroux, Aliya Anna Hafiz, Sofiya Alexandra Hafiz, Catherine Hanna, Julia Klein, Sachin Mansukhani, Quinn McAndrew, Eileen McCleary, Moira McKinley, Shivani Mendiratta, Annelie Minor, Keenan Murphy, Nihal Nawaz, Jake Pare, Mason Suba, and Lily van der Kroef.

“Congratulations. We are so incredibly proud of all of you,” said Dr Longobucco to the demi-decile students.

While there was a snag, with students at first identified as winning the wrong award in announcing the CABE Student Leadership Award winners and the Western Connecticut Superintendents Award winners, congratulations were still shared at the meeting.

Students who earned the CABE Student Leadership Award from Newtown Middle School are Alexis Underwood and Eleanor Cruwys-Hayes. The NHS winners are Natalie Barden and Jack Mulligan, according to the district.

“They are incredible role models for their peers,” Dr Longobucco said of the NHS CABE Student Leadership Award winners.

The Western Connecticut Superintendents Award winners from NMS are Puma Marx and Reese Wheat. The NHS winners are Danielle Johnson and Milan Chand.

NHS student Lily van der Kroef was announced as the CASBO scholarship winner.

Also at the meeting, Board of Education members thanked the 2019-20 NHS school board representatives Hannah Jojo and Milan Chand for their year of service of sharing the voice of NHS students with the board.

“Thank you so much for all you have done with our board,” said Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku.

The board also recognized NHS students Jillian Clure and Rushil Jerfy as the chosen 2020-21 NHS Board of Education student representatives.

After each recognition, messages of congratulations were shared.