WOODBURY — In all the high schools across the nation, the top 10% of students in their graduating class foretells bright, future leaders and innovators. Yet, behind each student’s complex narrative of their impressive GPAs lies a bittersweet reality: the relentless pressure to perform well, sacrifices made in pursuit of perfection leaves a uncertain future that awaits for them beyond graduation.
Nonnewaug High School announced recently the top 10% of the class of 2025. Their academic achievements are celebrated by peers and educators, but what’s next?
This year’s top 10% students are Liam Sandor, Katie Farrell, Kelly Farrell, Gavin Sandor, Andrew Grivner, Micah Tracht, Thomas Harris, Alexander Tracy, Grace Walkup, Chelsea Davis, Jano Nakhla, Ava Parks, Judy Nakhla, Chloe Weaver, and Lily Kiernan. They will be honored at the school’s annual top 10% banquet April 24 at the Painted Pony Restaurant in Bethlehem.
“I felt proud because my hard work for [the past] four years has paid off,” said this year’s valedictorian Gavin Sandor, who was accepted to Yale University last week. “It still feels somewhat surreal, especially since I’m the first in my family to achieve this.”
As underclassmen look for guidance, they find that the top 10% of students share similar advice about succeeding in school.
“From personal experience my biggest piece of advice is to not overwhelm yourself,” said Andrew Grivner, who plans on attending a military academy where he can study computer science while also considering his acceptance to Yale University. “Always ask questions, don’t stress when you mess up, stay organized, and try your best.”
Beside the importance of remaining organized, NHS’ top 10% also recognize the importance of education and valuing the experiences that Nonnewaug offers.
“I would urge the underclassmen to take school seriously in general,” said Judy Nakhla, who along with her sister, Jano, is excited to be named into this group. “It’s cliche advice and a lot of us have no desire to be in class all day, I get it. But just remember that you don’t have to enjoy all things in life to do well in them. High school is a very transformative time, and you only get to experience it once. When it’s time to have fun, have fun, and when you have to get work done, try your hardest. You don’t want to be a senior looking back and regretting how you spent your time, because you don’t get a do-over.”
In order to be in the top 10% of your class you must be willing to make sacrifices in order to succeed. But how do these sacrifices affect these students and their families?
“My family has sacrificed so much for me to succeed,” said Gavin Sandor, who is still deciding on what college campus he’ll call home this coming fall, “so I want to try my best in order to repay them and take advantage of their sacrifices.”
NHS Spanish teacher Karen Sandor is not just a staff member but also the proud mother of the remarkable achievements of her two sons, Gavin and Liam.
“I am so proud of both of them,” said Karen Sandor. “I am proud of them for being the best they can be in school and in life. They are both amazing kids who support each other.”
Every year, Sandor watches students come and go from a teacher perspective but in this case it’s different. For Sandor, it takes on a whole new meaning as she experiences the bittersweet journey of her own kids navigating their school years coming to an end.
“I will be crying tears of joy and sadness at graduation,” said Karen Sandor. “I am excited for both of them, but as any other parent, I will miss them on a daily basis, especially because we have had so many years together.”
Even though attending a school where your mom works has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages.
“Attending the same school that my mom works at has its perks and drawbacks,” said Liam Sandor. “On one hand, it is extremely convenient knowing that my mom is just a few classrooms away in case I need anything like a last minute permission slip signature. On the other hand, it has forced me to think about the way I carry myself more often. I feel the pressure to not only represent myself but my mother. However, I view this pressure as a privilege that has driven me to work diligently, interact with others respectfully and of course stay out of trouble. Moreover, by being able to connect with my teachers through my mom, I have built important connections providing me with numerous benefits. All in all, going to the same school with my mother has fostered me into the student I am and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Although leaving high school creates new opportunities to come, it still is hard to watch the time slip through your fingers.
“I am going to miss the bonds I have built with friends and teachers,” said Liam Sandor. “Although there is a long journey ahead full of opportunities to make connections, it is a bittersweet feeling leaving my childhood friends in a few months. Being able to walk into the lunchroom seeing Noah Sapack saving me a seat at the table or walking into the library with Mrs. [Deb] Flaherty already smiling at me provides a sense of community and comfort within me. I am ready to start a new chapter of my life, but it will be filled with moments where I miss my people at Nonnewaug.”
This year there are three sets of siblings in the top 10% which is quite unique, but what is it like from a sibling’s perspective?
“Being in the top 10% with my brother is a mix of excitement, and competitiveness,” Liam Sandor said. “When I heard my brother, Gavin, was our valedictorian I was almost as excited for him as he was for himself. While people aren’t wrong when they say he’s academically gifted, they fail to recognize the hours upon hours of hard work and discipline he has put in to get to the position he is in today that I have witnessed first-hand. His drive is contagious, pushing me to work hard in my classes myself and on the sports field. Of course, to me there is a competitive edge to most things we do. While he may hang the fact he’s number one over my head, we both recognize the achievement we have earned. At the end of the day, being in the top 10% with my brother is all about support and a testament to the hard work we and all the other top 10-percenters have put in.”
For some kids, being in the top 10% is a goal they set for themselves at the start of freshman year.
“Being in the 10% has been one of my goals since freshman year,” said Walkup, who will attend Northeastern University this fall. “I recommend that anyone who wants to be in the top 10% work really hard, and when it comes time to pick your courses for the following year, it’s important to take as many AP classes as you can because your GPA plays a huge part in being in the top 10% and taking AP classes weights your GPA more.”
Another thing these seniors can agree on is that doing homework is a key factor in doing well in school.
“Do your homework,” said Parks. “It is important because it helps you do well in your classes.”
Some teachers have left impacts on students that caused them to try their best.
“I think certain teachers have made things a lot easier or more enjoyable for me,” said Judy Nakhla. “But at the end of the day, it’s a personal choice how hard you decide to work or study to achieve a goal. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate my teachers, because every teacher at Nonnewaug really does root for your success! I just think that personally, even if my teachers were indifferent to my success, I still would have taken it upon myself without any extra reassurance to get where I am.”
But the question still remains the same: What’s next for some of Nonnewaug’s top students?
“I recently committed to UConn’s Storrs campus,” said Judy Nakhla. “I’m choosing to do the pre-med track with a biomedical sciences major. I’m definitely excited to keep working towards a future career in medicine, but I also can’t wait for a bit more freedom and independence. Most if not all students in the top 10% are swamped right now with tons of AP classes, work, clubs, etc., but that also means our college freshman years are probably going to be a lot less stressful than our last year in high school due to all our credits. I’m looking forward to taking the time to be more outgoing than I was in high school and make a lot of new friends.”
