Newtown High School's (NHS) Class of 2026 Valedictorian Olivia Bossio-Dotolo and Salutatorian Nikita Mukka fondly reflected on growing up in Newtown and their journey as students.

NHS officially announced the girls as this year's valedictorian and salutatorian on April 28. They were honored once again at last week's Board of Education meeting, alongside the other demi-decile students from their graduating class.

Bossio-Dotolo and Mukka were not too taken aback by the news, with Bossio-Dotolo adding that "they've kind of known in a way."

"I don't want to sound cocky or anything," Bossio-Dotolo said. "We're obviously very proud that our work has really paid off and that there's a distinction we get for that."

Both of them have lived in Newtown their entire lives — Bossio-Dotolo has moved, but always stayed within Newtown, while Mukka playfully called herself a "Newtown OG."

Mukka said she really likes living in town. She feels Newtown has a great atmosphere and that the community is always willing to lend a hand to help.

"I'll do a bunch of events for clubs, and everybody always pitches in, I love that," Mukka said. "Everyone's super friendly. I feel like I could go up to anyone in the grocery store, and ask them for help finding something."

Bossio-Dotolo added that she feels Newtown does not have a "super competitive environment," which carries over into the public school system.

"I feel like [Nikita] and I weren't competing with each other for the top spot. It was like, 'Well, whoever gets it, we're both happy, and we're happy that it's the two of us,'" Bossio-Dotolo said.

Mukka added, "If anything, we boosted each other."

With time comes change, and both girls said they worked hard to build themselves up over the years.

Bossio-Dotolo said she used to be incredibly shy, especially the case in school, where she never raised her hand or answered any questions in class.

This changed in sixth grade at Reed Intermediate School, when she had Andrew Hall as a teacher. He gave her the nickname "OBD" — short for her initials — and it stuck.

"And I don't know, I wrote this in an essay somewhere, but it felt like I had an alter ego with that," Bossio-Dotolo explained.

She felt like that name almost gave her more confidence, and then she became known as OBD to everyone in school.

"For some reason, it felt like I just had another version of myself that I grew into and become more confident with," Bossio-Dotolo said.

She grew more confident in herself, especially in high school. Bossio-Dotolo remembers being really nervous for freshman year, so she made a goal to talk to one new person everyday.

"And that really helped me. I feel like now I'm a very social person," she laughed.

Mukka said she did not have any particular school experience that made a crazy impact on her life. However, she feels like she has always tried her hardest in school to take every opportunity that comes her way.

"And that's just helped me build myself up," Mukka added.

When it comes to classes, Bossio-Dotolo said her favorite class has been AP Physics, and her favorite teacher is Kim Lowell, the AP Physics teacher.

Mukka said she loves physics and math as well, adding that she has had the same teacher, Eugene Hall, for the past two years, and that they got to develop a solid bond because of it. She also felt Lowell was an amazing teacher, adding that she makes physics so fun.

"I have her this year, and I love her teaching style," Mukka added. "She always makes sure every single student is recognized, and she always talks to everyone."

Support And Change

Both Bossio-Dotolo and Mukka have gotten a lot of support from their family and friends over the years. Mukka said her parents have always encouraged her without creating pressure on her.

"They've always been supportive, and they've always celebrated my achievements," Mukka said. "I like having that kind of support; that doesn't make me nervous or anything."

Bossio-Dotolo said it was the same for her and her family. Her parents always told her to do what feels best for her and, whatever she achieves, they will be happy with that.

"They were never trying to tell me I needed to get an A+ in a class. They were like, if you come out with a C but you loved the class and you learned something, then that's what matters," Bossio-Dotolo said.

Now, with graduation nearly upon them, the pair are setting their sights on college. Bossio-Dotolo said she is going to Hamilton College in New York, which she is super excited for because it is a liberal arts schools and she feels it matches her personality.

She added that she wants to try a bunch of things before really deciding what she is going to commit to for the rest of her life. However, Bossio-Dotolo noted that she loves science and helping other people, so she thinks she wants to pursue a career in medicine, most likely as a doctor.

"I'm gonna do the pre-med requirements, but I also want to study music and Spanish, and all different types of things that I can come out as well-rounded and then truly see what fits with me," Bossio-Dotolo explained.

As for Mukka, she is going to Purdue University in Indiana, which she is really excited about. She will be in the university's engineering program; although Mukka is unsure exactly which type of engineering she will choose, she said she can figure that out in her first year.

"It's a big school, and I love that energy. There's so many people, and even seeing them on Instagram is really fun ... there's a lot of opportunities there that I'm excited for, too," Mukka said.

Both universities are quite far away from Connecticut. However, both Bossio-Dotolo and Mukka said they are excited for the change in scenery.

Bossio-Dotolo said she loves going to new places. She added that, while she loves Newtown, she also feels she has been here for so long that she needs to have different experiences with different types of people.

"That's the main thing I'm excited about, meeting people from all different places and learning about their experiences, instead of in Newtown, where we've all grown up together and we all know everyone," Bossio-Dotolo explained.

Mukka agreed, and said the transition will really feel like a "breaking out of the shell" moment. While Mukka said Purdue is definitely far, she feels it will have a different culture because it is in the Midwest.

"But I feel like the location is lowkey also similar to this small town suburban area because it's in the middle of nowhere Indiana, but I think the people is what will really make the location, so I'm excited for that," Mukka said.

For current and future NHS students, Mukka encouraged them to take advantage of every opportunity at the high school.

"They always give you all the resources that you'll need, and anything that you're interested in, they'll have for you," Mukka said. "So as long as you just keep trying new things, your future will come to you."

Bossio-Dotolo said she is doing her graduation speech on not being confined to a box or label. She feels this is especially important in high school, because it is where many people get a sense of who they are and other people's impressions of them.

"But I think it's important to try different things and not care what other people are gonna think if you do them," Bossio-Dotolo said. "Like not caring what anyone's going to say because it's more important to do what you love and find yourself, rather than trying to be something that you think other people want you to be."

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.