Ms. Michelle Tsao, Principal of Saratoga Springs High School, announces that Elizabeth (Ellie) Siebeneck, daughter of AJ and Hillary Siebeneck of Saratoga Springs, has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2020 and that Nicholas Dahlen, son of Andrew and Ann Dahlen of Saratoga Springs, has been named Salutatorian at Saratoga Springs High School.
Elizabeth (Ellie) Siebeneck is the President of the Women’s Empowerment Club, former class secretary and Globe Aware Volunteer (Peru and Ghana), member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Ellie has been four-year MVP and team captain of the Saratoga Girls Varsity Tennis Team, New York State top-25 singles player and New York State doubles back draw champion. She is a member of the New York State Development Soccer Team and Saratoga-Wilton Soccer Club. Ellie is the winner of the Harvard Book Award, English Department Award, and Spanish Department Award. She was the first-place winner at the Sub-Regional JSHS Science Research Competition. She is an AP Scholar, and National Merit Commended Scholar. She plans to attend Duke University and pursue a career in medicine.
Nicholas Dahlen is President of the National Honor Society. He is a volunteer for Educating Young Engineers and is a summer camp counselor at YMCA Camp Chingachgook. He is on the Varsity Rowing Team, was on the Freshman Rowing Team, NYS Champion (2017 and 2019), and placed 2nd and 4th at the US Rowing Scholastic National Championship. He received the Rensselaer Medal Award, National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation, College Board AP Scholar with Distinction, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Latin IV, AP US History, AP Chemistry, and Latin III. Nicholas plans to study Chemistry and History at Middlebury College.
The following comprise the remainder of the top ten students in the Class of 2020. Please note, there is a tie for number four.
Danielle Geils is the Math Club President and a National Honor Society Officer at Large. She is the Varsity Field Hockey Captain. Danielle received the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. She plans to attend the University of Florida and pursue a career as a chemical engineer.
Anna Lansford is the Community Relations Coordinator for Best Buddies, the treasurer for Cure Club, and a member of Tri-M Music Honor Society (treasurer 2017-2018), Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Skidmore College Concert Band, and is part of the Symphonic Band. She is on the Unified Basketball Team. Anna received the US Metric Association Award at Regeneron Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair, National Seal of Biliteracy (French and English), and she is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Anna will attend Northwestern University and plans on a career in political journalism.
Kate Manor is a member of the Fiddle Club, National Honor Society Sargent at Arms, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Kate plans to attend Sarah Lawrence College.
Renee Maslak is a member of National Honor Society, the American Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator, Women’s Empowerment Club Secretary, and Future Leaders of Medicine Club member. She participated one year on the Varsity Gymnastics Team (9th grade), four years (9th -12th grade) on the Varsity Swimming and Diving Team (Diver and 2019 Captain), Indoor Varsity Track and Field (11th -12th) and Outdoor Varsity Track and Field (9th -12th) as a pole vaulter and hurdler. She was a 2020 CASDA Scholar’s Recognition Program Recipient, National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student, a recipient of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy for French, and a recipient of the High School Respect Award in 2018 and 2019. Renee plans to attend the University of Notre Dame and pursue a career as a surgeon.
Orion Goodemote is a member of the National Honor Society and Drama Club where she helped with tech for the musical. She is a member of the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Team. She received an Earth Science Department Award and Physical Education Award. In addition, she received several Art Show Awards at the high school, as well as Honorable Mention at the Hyde Museum Show, third place at the Saratoga Racing Museum Show, and the High School Art Purchase Award. Orion plans to attend Aarhus University in Denmark and hopes to pursue a career as a large animal vet.
Grant Travis is a member of the Math and Ski Club. He has been on the Saratoga Rowing Team from 2015-2020. He received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, a National Merit Letter of Commendation, and was on Academic High Honor Roll. Grant plans to attend Cornell University and pursue a career as an economist.
Nicholas Gebo is a member of the Chess Club, Debate Club, Ping Pong Club, and National Honor Society. Nick runs and programs an online business and coach’s youth baseball. He has received a Computer Science Department Award and is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Nick plans to study Computer Science at Vanderbilt University, and pursue a career as an entrepreneur.
Megan Bissonette is the president of the Advanced Historical International Studies Club, secretary of French Club, vice president of LEO Club, and Officer at Large for National Honor Society. She has been on the JV and Varsity Girls Tennis Team for four years. She received Department Awards for AP World History and AP US History, as well as the French Seal of Biliteracy. Megan plans to attend the College of William and Mary and pursue a career as a diplomat.
Zeph Watkins is a member of the National Honor Society and Captain of the Wrestling Team. He has received Department Awards for Digital Electronics, AP Physics 1 & 2, and Honors Chemistry. He has also received the Hardest Worker Wrestling Athletic Award and the Anthony Bellai Memorial Award. Zeph plans to attend Clarkson University and pursue a career as a chemical engineer.