In addition to earning the number 1 spot in his class, Giancarlo Gentili was an active presence in his school community. He participated in Theatre, Paramount Show Choir, the Young Men’s Chorus, Science Olympics, National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Peer Ministry, and worked as Head of Marketing/Media for the Theatre Department.
Gentili achieved many honors throughout his four years at Hendricken, including becoming a National Merit Finalist, and earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold Science Olympiad Medals.
“My family, friends, teachers and administrators all contributed to my success and enjoyment of high school,” wrote Gentili, “The confidence and pride my family and so many others held in me, as well as the desire for a brighter future and better world motivated me to excel.”
Gentili will attend Boston College in the fall; he plans to double major in English and Spanish.
Second in his class, Derek Byrne was a member of Art Club, Ice Hockey, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and English Honor Society.
Byrne was the recipient of the Excellence in Spanish Award, and the Class Salutatorian Medal, in addition to earning a bronze medal on the National Spanish Exam in 2015 and 2017.
“My supportive parents, my passionate teachers, and of course my fellow classmates contributed the most to my success and enjoyment of high school,” wrote Byrne, “the mutual concern of my classmates truly proves that a brotherhood exists at Hendricken.”
When asked what motivated him to excel, Byrne wrote, “The motivation of my teachers, and their deep passions for their respective fields allowed me to drive towards my desired purpose in life, which I am still discovering each day.”
Byrne will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall; he plans to major in electrical and computer engineering.
Frederick Choi ranked number 3 in his class, while also showing leadership in his school community by being the Captain of both Math Team and Programming Team, and the Head Programmer for the Robotics Team. He also played the viola in the Hendricken Orchestra, the RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and All-State Orchestra.
Choi was a Best in Fair Finalist at the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair, a National Merit Finalist, and an American Invitational Math Exam Qualifier. He also earned 1st place at the Providence College Programming Competition, and 2nd place at the Cornell University High School Programming Contest.
“Everyone I know has helped me to succeed,” wrote Choi, “My teachers pushed me when things were too easy, my parents pulled me forward when things were too hard, and with all my classmates, we moved forward together, working with and supporting each other.”
When asked what motivated him to excel, Choi wrote, “I excel because I love to learn, whether it be writing new programs, solving a hard problem, playing the viola, or writing a song, everything I do is because I love to do it,” adding that by putting all his time and energy into doing the things he loves, as a result he excels at what he does.”
Choi will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall; he plans to major in computer science.
Not only was Tharun Somasunder ranked fourth in his class, he was also the President of Robotics Team, Co-founder of Hawks Helping Kids, and a member of Mock Trial, the Blood Drive Committee, Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, and the Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Somasunder was the recipient of the Mathematics Award and the Award for General Excellence in Science. He earned Best in Fair at the Rhode Island Science Fair, and 1st in state, 2nd in nation at the National French Competition.
When asked who contributed to his success and enjoyment of high school, Somasunder wrote, “My parents, teachers, and most of all the brothers I made at Hendricken.”
He added that his drive to be the best he can be, to become an amazing doctor, and the fact that he was surrounded by some of the hardest workers in the state motivated him to excel.
Somasunder will attend Boston University in the fall; he plans to participate in their 7-year medical program.
Nicolas Berg, the number five student in his class, was also Secretary of the Robotics Team, peer mentor to mentally disabled students, member of the Visual Arts Academy, Boy Scouts, and President/ Dungeon Master of the Dungeons and Dragons Club.
Berg won many honors, including Best in Fair at the RI Science and Engineering Fair twice, allowing him to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair twice. He also was the recipient of the Hendricken award for Science, a National Merit Finalist, and an Eagle Scout.
Berg made special mention of his biology teacher and School Fair Director, Mr. Graney, who gave up his own free time, putting countless hours into supervising Berg’s research, even on weekends.
When asked what motivated him to succeed in high school, Berg wrote, “I wanted to make my dog proud, Cleo is a 13-year-old English Springer spaniel, and she always pushed me to do my best.”
Berg will attend Emory University in the fall; he plans to major in biology.
Haoyang “Bill” Cai ranked number sixth in his class. He was a member of the Math Team, and a member of the National Math Honor Society; “Theta Mu Society.”
Cai wrote that Mr. Morey and Mr. Flanagan contributed most to his success and enjoyment of high school, adding that the advisor for international students motivated him to excel.
Cai will attend New York University in the fall; he is undecided on his major.
In addition to ranking seventh number in his class, Brandon Selvidio was the Founder and President of Hawks Helping Kids, President and Vice President of the Ambassadors Club, a member of Youth Taking Action and the Health Club.
Selvidio was the recipient of the Principal’s Leadership Award, and the President’s Leadership Award.
When asked who contributed most to his success and enjoyment of high school, Selvidio wrote that his parents, grandparents, and siblings, (especially his sister) were huge supporters of his. He added that in the Hendricken community, his “wonderful family in the Advancement and Business Office,” also greatly contributed to his success and enjoyment.
“Ever since my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2011, I have known my calling in life is to become an oncologist,” wrote Selvidio, “I have learned that every patient deserves a physician who will treat the entire person, not just the disease.” Therefore, added Selvidio, his motivation to excel has always been to fulfill his calling in life, because education is the most critical piece of becoming a doctor.
Selvidio will attend George Washington University in the fall; he plans to major in biology with a pre-med concentration.
Thomas Dunn ranked eighth in his class, and will be attending the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall.
Nicholas Gianferante was a member of Unified Volleyball and Basketball, Ambassador’s Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Peer Ministry, and Peer Mentors. He also was a part of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Math Honor Society.
“The people who have contributed the most to my success and enjoyment of high school would have to be the teachers and faculty,” wrote Gianferante, “My motivation to excel was my parents, who helped me strive to be a great student.”
Gianferante will attend Harding University in the fall; he plans to major in youth and family ministries.
Declan Smith was a member of varsity basketball, Rhode Island Urban Debate League, and Coach of the Immaculate Conception Grammar basketball team. Smith also interned for the General Treasurer for 3 years, and was assistant head page at the RI House of Representatives.
Smith was a national merit finalist, the recipient of the Henseler Award for service to BHHS sports programs, and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Alabama.
“My parents and grandparents supported me through everything, without them I wouldn’t have made it past pre-calculus,” wrote Smith, “Mr. Curran and Mr. Clark allowed me a love of the humanities.”
“I was motivated to excel by the fact that I’d feel disappointed in myself if I did anything less than my best,” wrote Smith.
Smith will attend the University of Alabama in the fall; he plans to major in history.
Marc-Oliver Arcand was on the rugby team, wrestling team, and was an eagle scout. He was a member of National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, French Honor Society, and English Honor Society.
Arcand will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall; he plans to study ecology and evolutionary biology.
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