The Spartan Times takes an inside look at the Class of 2024’s top graduates
On Wednesday, May 8, The Sanford Elks held its Annual Youth Banquet that celebrates the academic successes of students in the Sanford School District.
The private event hosted and recognized Sanford High School’s top 50 academic performers in the Class of 2024. The Top 10 graduates for the Class were announced along with many other honors, awards and scholarships.
Below, we’ve asked the Top 10 about their future plans and favorite SHS memories:
Valedictorian: Zachary Parison
Zachary Parison will attend the University of Maine Orono to study Electrical Engineering. He hopes to not only become an electrical engineer but also become a teacher later in life.
- Favorite SHS Class, who taught it, and why you liked it: Definitely AP Calculus AB, taught by Mrs. Colbeth. The combination of the students in the class with my favorite teacher made it be simultaneously a very productive, but also funny and enjoyable.
- Favorite SHS Memory: My teacher Mrs. Colbeth shipping me with who is my girlfriend now.
- Advice for Underclassmen: Take advantage of every opportunity.
- Involvement at SHS: I’m captain of the varsity tennis, golf, and math team, as well as a member of NHS and treasurer of Key Club. For community service, I tutored, particularly by making videos covering certain subjects in math and history!
Salutatorian: Aidan Gendron
Aidan Gendron will be attending Penn State University (State College, Pa.) as an Astronomy and Astrophysics major. He hopes to one day work and research in the field of astrophysics.
- Favorite SHS Class, who taught it, and why you liked it: AP Research with Mrs. Tibbetts was my favorite class I ever took. I really enjoyed the freedom of researching a topic I was interested in, and dedicating the entire year towards it. There was no better feeling of accomplishment than when I got to put the final touches on my academic paper.
- Favorite SHS Memory: The senior class trip to Greece as well as my junior prom were both amazing.
- Advice for Underclassmen: Take advantage of every opportunity you are given, and do it because you want to do it. There’s no point in forcing yourself into a position that you don’t enjoy just because it makes you seem like a more well-rounded student.
- Involvement at SHS: Class Treasurer, Treasurer of Student Council, Treasurer of NHS, Student Body Representative, Varsity Wrestling, Track and Field, Math Team, Science Bowl, SHS Abroad, Prom Committee, Homecoming Committee.
Lamar Amoakohene
Lamar Amoakoheme will be attending Yale University (New Haven, Conn.) to study Political Science/Pre-Law. They hope to one day pursue a career as a legislator or urban planner and push for more sustainable and effective urban development.
- Favorite SHS Class: My favorite class at SHS was AP research with Mrs. Tibbetts. I really enjoyed the laid-back environment of the class despite the inherent stress of the demanding task in front of us. I also felt very accomplished by the end of the class, having completed a project that I never would have thought I was able to do before.
- Favorite SHS memory: The senior Greece trip (especially Carnival)
- Advice for Underclassmen: Have as much fun as you can. Work hard in your classes and get involved in things outside of school, but never forget to have fun.
- Involvement at SHS: Math team captain, Varsity Tennis, Spartan Times Staff Writer, NHS member, SHS Abroad.
Jack Cullen
Jack Cullen will be attending the University of Maine Farmington, where he plans to major in Actuarial Science. He looks forward to securing a good job and building wealth.
- Favorite SHS Class: Designing A Small Cabin with Mr. Soule. This was my favorite because Mr. Soule is a great teacher and the class was super fun.
- Favorite SHS Memory: Leaving my final AP Biology class.
- Advice for Underclassmen: Make sure to work super hard and put in the effort!
Ava Gendron
Ava Gendron will be attending Boston College for Nursing. She hopes to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
- Favorite SHS Class: My favorite class was AP Language and Composition. Mrs White always made the class engaging and fun. I knew I would learn something new and improve my writing skills daily.
- Favorite SHS Memory: My favorite memories were the ones I made on the tennis team. I loved how close we were and how every practice was filled with laughter!
- Advice for Underclassmen: Take advantage of all the available resources and support. High school is what you make it!
Hailey Tarbox
Hailey Tarbox will be attending Husson University (Bangor, Maine), where she will be playing soccer and likely pursuing a business pathway with interests in marketing and English.
- Favorite SHS Class My favorite class in high school was Mrs. White’s AP English Language and Composition class. Along with having an amazing teacher, the class was fun, intriguing, and full of new knowledge that I utilize every day.
- Favorite SHS Memory My favorite SHS memories come from time I spent with my friends, but specifically, some of my favorite memories were made with my varsity basketball team.
- Advice for Underclassmen My advice for underclassmen is to never take time for granted and rather than worrying about what might happen, always live in the moment!
- Involvement at SHS Varsity Soccer (4 years, Captain) Varsity Basketball (Captain) Yearbook, Member of the National Honors Society.
Korrinne Greer
Korrinne Greer will attend Wake Forest University in North Carolina to major in Art History, with a minor in Business or Entrepreneurship. She hopes to one day become an architect, open a boutique somewhere near the beach, and sell local art (including her own) of all forms.
- Favorite SHS Class: I’m not sure if this really counts as a “class” per se but I would pick Spartan Time with Mr. Ford. He is such an amazing teacher and I am so lucky to have had him all three years that I was at SHS. He always checked in with us about how we were doing academically and also mentally, as well as providing the comedic relief he is known for!
- Favorite SHS Memory: Question of the Days with Mr. Ericson. It was always a fun way to start class and to ease up the stress of the school day with a full caseload of honor and AP classes!
- Advice for Underclassmen: My best piece of advice would be to advocate for yourself and ask questions even if you feel like they are silly.
- Involvement at SHS: I participated in Art Club which I loved being a part of, Key club, and National Honors Society. I also mentored with Mrs. Peter’s fifth grade class during my senior year. Outside of SHS, I interned at an art gallery the summer after my junior year and plan to again this upcoming summer! I also worked two jobs during high school — Aroma Joe’s and Shaw’s Ridge.
Emma Adawadkar
Emma Adawadkar will be attending the University of New Hampshire where she will be following a pre-veterinary track and majoring in Biology, while in the Honors Program. After she completes her undergraduate degree, she will apply to Vet school and earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She also hopes to open her own Veterinary clinic in the future locally.
- Long-term Goals: I plan to return to the community and share my Veterinary skills, and I have a desire to join local boards, as I’ve gained insight and experience while serving on the Sanford School Board Committee.
- Favorite SHS Class: My favorite class was Spanish with Senorita Casablanca. I was able to take up to Spanish 5 which allowed me to explore my appreciation and knowledge for the Spanish language. Whitehouse always created a fun and positive atmosphere accompanied by an enthusiastic teaching style. In fact, her class has led me to pursue a minor in Spanish at UNH.
- Favorite SHS Memory: When I traveled with my senior class to visit Europe for the first time. Greece was such a unique and life-changing opportunity for me. It allowed me to experience the culture, food, and festivals, such as Carnival, with my classmates. I plan to make more trips to Europe in the future.
- Advice to Underclassmen: Inquire about local internships because they are a valuable experience as you begin to choose your future path. It’s a great way to get experience in a field you may be considering.
- Involvement at SHS: I am the current Secretary of the National Honor Society, President of Ocean Bowl and Environmental Club, and am a student representative on the school committee. I intern at Ridge Animal Hospital, tutor, and write for the Spartan Times. I’m also a part of the Civil Rights Team, Peer Helpers, and the National Art Honor Society, and SHS Abroad. Lastly, I earned the AP Capstone diploma.
Ailey Mann
Ailey Mann will be attending the University of New England (Biddeford, Maine) as a Medical Biology/Pre-Med major, where she will also be playing soccer. She hopes to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist.
- Favorite SHS Class, who taught it, and why you liked it: Health Occupations with Ellen Barry. I love learning about medicine and anatomy, and getting the basic knowledge for my major.
- Favorite SHS Memory: Being a part of the Homecoming committee and seeing everyone get so excited when we won the spirit stick, both years.
- Advice for Underclassmen: One little mistake in high school will not ruin your chances of success. Keep yourself busy and get involved in high school activities.
- Involvement at SHS: Varsity Girls Soccer (Captain), Class of 2024 Vice President, Student Council (Secretary), Varsity tennis, NHS, Key Club, SRTC Health Occupations, SHS Abroad, Monarch School of New England Volunteer.
Kamryn Sanborn
Kamryn Sanborn will be attending Simmons College (Boston, Mass.) to study Biology, where she will enter the Pre-Dental track. She plans to become a general dentist and own her own practice one day.
- My favorite SHS class: AP Calculus AB with Mrs.Colbeth because she let me feel like I could be myself anytime I was in her classroom and I knew that she truly wanted to see her students succeed. She was there for me whether it was math related or not.
- Favorite SHS Memory: Junior prom!
- Advice for underclassmen: Enjoy high school and don’t worry about little mistakes that you make because they will lead you to where you are meant to go and it’s all a part of the learning process.
- Involvement at SHS: Soccer (9,10,11,12), Basketball (9,10,11), National Honors Society (11,12), Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute (10,11,12), Homecoming Committee (10,11,12), SHS Abroad, and 134 hours of community service.
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