2019 Rising Stars
Thanks to some pretty amazing Cape and Islands high school seniors The future looks bright 2 | RISING STARS 2019
2019
DEAR READERS, Rising Stars ow! America is in GREAT hands!” CONTENTS That’s what Yarmouth Police Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos “Wwrote at the top of his list of 20 Rising Stars. He was one of our three distinguished and generous judges this year. And he echoes the enthu- 3 ...... ALEC ABRAMSON, Sandwich High School siasm that judges throughout the years have all expressed. It’s a daunting task that we ask of our judges. They must 4 ...... SOPHIA ADELSTEIN, Falmouth High School read all of the nomination letters (139 this year) sent in by
5 ...... TREVOR BLAZE, Barnstable High School teachers and counselors, neighbors and family members, and narrow down an impressive field of high school seniors — 6 ...... CAROLINE DAVOCK, Monomoy Regional High School young citizens who are already making a positive difference in the world — to 20 finalists. There are so many amazing 7 ...... KAELLY FARRELL, Nauset Regional High School kids, and it can be excruciating to choose one over another.
8 ...... EMILY FRANKS, Mashpee Middle-High School But they do it. And then they thank us for the opportunity. Everyone involved in Rising Stars expresses a deep sense of gratitude 9 ...... FRANCESCA GALAZZI, Nauset Regional High School because what we all gain is a renewed sense of hope. And what a gift that is! Of course, our judges are always super busy people. That expression, “if 10 ...... SHAEZ GOMES, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School you want something done, ask a busy person” — it’s true. And they are ded-
11 ...... KARI GOULD, Sandwich High School icated, compassionate community leaders — wonderful examples of service to others that we can all aspire to. 12 ...... CECELIA KANE, Sturgis Charter Public School East Deputy Chief Xiarhos, a Gold Star father who lost his son Nicholas at age 21 on the battlefield in Afghanistan, is a tireless community organizer, a 13 ...... RENEE LEVESQUE, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School highly decorated officer and a fierce patriot. He jumped at the chance to contribute to Rising Stars. 14 ...... JULIA MILCZANOWSKI, St. John Paul II High School Lysetta Hurge-Putnam, executive director of Independence House in 15 ...... AVERY NARDONE, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Hyannis, said “yes” to the task, and we are so grateful. She’s an innovative mover and shaker in our community and beyond. Independence House is a 16 ...... BENTEN NIGGEL, Nauset Regional High School nonprofit counseling and advocacy center that serves thousands of domes- tic violence and sexual assault survivors every year, and reaches thousands 17 ...... LUCY POLLOCK, Nauset Regional High School of other individuals through outreach and educational programs such as the
18 ...... TORIANA RICHARDS, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Mentors in Violence Prevention program in many of our high schools. Bill Mills, our editorial editor at the Cape Cod Times, is a very humble 19 ...... LAYLA SASTRY, Sandwich High School man who lives a life of quiet service. Everyone who knows Bill holds him in the highest esteem. “Bill has the most difficult job at the newspaper, serv- 20 ...... ELIZABETH SCOTT, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School ing as the institutional voice and the arbiter of the community conversation
21 ...... JILLIAN TAYLOR, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School that occurs daily on his pages,” says executive editor Paul Pronovost. I think Bill might say that choosing 20 Rising Stars out of all the amazing 22 ...... CARLY WHITESIDE, Barnstable High School nominees was one of the most difficult tasks he’s taken on. In addition to reading the impressive stories about our 20 wonderful 23 ...... 2019 Rising Star Nominees finalists, you should make sure to spend some time on Page 23, acknowl-
edging the other 89 students who were nominated, and who are rising stars ON THE COVER themselves. And we know there are plenty of unsung rising stars out there. Barnstable senior Trevor Blaze plans to study economics and hopes (You know who you are!) to become a naval aviator. Finally, I wish our readers could see the enthusiasm with which our
reporters, editors and photographers dive into this project. What am I Editor: Patti Bangert, Cape Cod Times Designer: Katherine Silvia, Center for News & Design saying? You’ll see it plain as day in the following pages. Enjoy!
319 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 • 508-775-1200 Patti Bangert www.capecodtimes.com • www.capecodonline.com Special sections editor, Cape Cod Times RISING STARS 2019 | 3
Alec Abramson Sandwich High School
Every limitation can be combated by an adaptation. It’s all about perspective.
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Mary Weatherby motion. Sports at Nickerson State Park Chicago, where he plans to study [email protected] “It doesn’t matter how well you in Brewster, which runs adaptive engineering/applied sciences with play or what the score is, it matters cycling and kayaking programs. an eye toward a career in adaptive or scholar-athlete Alec that you have a smile on your face,” “Every limitation can be combated technology. Abramson, it’s about keeping Alec said. by an adaptation. It’s all about per- “To understand the cognitive people in the game. In their sophomore year of high spective,” he said. disabilities that people face pushes F The top golfer and captain of school, Alec and his twin brother, Alec’s talents are academic as me to create technology to combat the Sandwich High School golf team, Evan, started an Adaptive Sports well; he’s in the top 10 of his class, those disabilities,” he said. Alec has a passion for the game he Club at Sandwich High School, has been named to the Superin- There’s also the Back to Swing has played since he was 6. It has led mainly to supply volunteers for tendent’s Council and has taken Charity Golf Tournament, of which to his vocation of adaptive sports. Spaulding’s adaptive sports pro- Advanced Placement classes in Alec and Evan were lead organizers The Sandwich High School senior grams and events, including statistics, physics, calculus, U.S. for two years and received the Phi- has spent the past five years as a wheelchair basketball and a summer history and world history, to name lanthropy Partners of the Cape and volunteer creating opportunities for golf program. a few. Islands' Outstanding Youth Award. those in rehabilitation to continue The club connects high school He and his brother started a STEM The nine-hole tournament raised participating in the games they love and middle school students with Initiative mentoring program for over $7,500 for Spaulding’s adaptive through adaptive sports programs. athletes at Spaulding, with the goal seventh-grade students enter- programs with the two events. Alec has been involved in the BITS of bringing together able-bodied ing Sandwich’s STEM Academy to “I love to be a leader on the golf – Back in the Swing – program at and adaptive individuals in one help them navigate middle school. course, but I want my biggest Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in community. The peer-matching, life skills and impact on the community to be Sandwich. He has worked with golf- “With the right equipment and guidance program has expanded to off the course,” Alec said. “I want ers of all ages affected by strokes, support, anybody can excel at any- include students in eighth grade as to give leadership experiences to accidents or birth defects to help thing,” Alec said. well as high school freshmen. my peers and bring awareness to them get on the course, and improve Alec also interned last summer Alec’s work will continue next everyone in our Cape Cod and global their mobility, balance and range of at the McGraw Center for Adaptive year at Northwestern University in community.” 4 | RISING STARS 2019
Sophia Adelstein Falmouth High School
I think being good at what you’re interested in and being true to yourself and true to you own interests is really important, because as soon as you let other people infl uence you too much, you’re going to be unhappy.
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
Jason Savio High School. Not only did she created an AP 3-D design class – a The coffee table, along with her [email protected] have to make up half of her junior course that is not typically offered other 3-D works, will be included year because the years were offset at Falmouth High – as an indepen- in her AP 3-D design portfolio, the ophia Adelstein not only had between here and Australia, she also dent study for Sophia after seeing first portfolio of its type anyone has to move to a different school had to integrate herself into a whole what she describes as “amazing” ever submitted at Falmouth High. during the summer between new culture and make new friends. creations the student was making on She’ll also be putting together an S her sophomore and junior “You have to start over, but it her own outside of school. Jewelry, AP drawing portfolio to go with it, years, she had to move to a new was fine,” says Sophia, who was scrap books and birds made of cloth totaling 48 pieces of art. country. nominated to be a Rising Star by her are just some of the intricate works When she’s not busy creating and Since coming to the Cape from guidance counselor, Kurt Lawson. of art Sophia was creating, and tinkering, Sophia helps others in the land down under, the Australian “The move with school was hard at Baker thought she deserved credit class and spreads her love of art. Rising Star has quickly made it to the first, but you settle down and things for them. She does mini Bob Ross workshops top of her senior class at Falmouth are OK.” “I’ve always been interested in in class, says Baker, by encouraging High School. Excelling in art, Sophia Her calm and steady demeanor is making and building stuff, painting her classmates to watch episodes has already been accepted into the what has helped propel Sophia to stuff,” Sophia says. “I kind of feel an of the famous painter’s show and Rhode Island School of Design. being a standout student in her AP urge to create things from scratch. I getting them interested in painting “Which was really awesome,” she art classes. find it very satisfying.” along with him. says. “I’m pretty stoked.” She is “big” into art and enjoys Currently, she is trying her hand “She makes everybody feel com- Sophia faced a daunting transition painting and drawing, she says. But at woodworking and is making a fortable,” Baker says. “She’s kind to from going to school in Tasmania, that’s not all. coffee table. “I kind of tinker around her classmates and is a great person Australia, to enrolling in Falmouth Her art teacher, Jane Baker, at home all the time,” she says. to have in class.” RISING STARS 2019 | 5
Trevor Blaze Barnstable High School
I prioritize what I need to get done over what I want to do.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Geoff Spillane Trevor, the youngest of five this year, and the captain of the “It was important to me,” he [email protected] brothers to attend Barnstable High, tennis team for the past two years. said, referencing sexual assault and has taken 15 Advanced Placement “It’s about time management,” he dating violence. “So many college revor Blaze of Osterville is classes during his time at the Hyan- said when asked how he has man- students ruin their lives with stupid a Rising Star who may be nis school, nearly always achieving aged to balance a demanding course decisions. College is too late to start headed toward the galactic “A” grades. Calculus, biology, schedule and athletics. “I prioritize (the program). I thought it would T stars someday. astronomy and economics are what I need to get done over what I benefit kids in high school.” An academic and athletic stand- among his favorite courses. want to do.” No matter where the future takes out at Barnstable High School, “I’m grateful to Barnstable High Trevor also was instrumental him – whether on earth or in space Trevor will attend the University of School for allowing me to take these in establishing the national One – Trevor has plans for a return to Virginia in the fall as an enrollee in classes to challenge myself,” he Love program at Barnstable High. Cape Cod. the Naval Reserve Officers Training said. The mission of One Love is “to end “When I’m driving across the Corps. He plans on studying eco- When not studying, Trevor has relationship abuse by educating Centerville River Bridge on the way nomics and hopes to attend flight been a member of the Red Raider young people about healthy and to school, I realize how beauti- school to become a naval aviator. basketball, football and tennis unhealthy relationship behav- ful this place is and how different “Ultimately, I want to be an astro- teams during all five years (includ- iors and empowering them to be my life would be if I didn’t grow up naut,” said Trevor, explaining that ing eighth grade) at the school. He leaders driving change in their here,” said Trevor. “I would love to most astronauts are naval aviators. was the captain of the hoop team communities.” have my kids grow up here.” 6 | RISING STARS 2019
Caroline Davock Monomoy Regional High School
It feels good to work hard at something and get it. That’s when I’m most proud of things I’ve done.
[MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Doug Fraser She’s been the captain of the cross Police wrote in her Rising Stars calculus class?’ But something just [email protected] country and track teams for her recommendation letter. “Caroline made sense in my brain,” she said. junior and senior years and a league never complains or makes excuses.” Caroline has been accepted at uidance counselor Jennifer all-star, plays the flute in the school Time management is her strength, Smith College and Colby College, Police describes Caroline band, is in the National Honor and she likes challenges. where she’s thinking of majoring Davock as “a true scholar Society, is an award winner in the “It feels good to work hard at in environmental science with a G who possesses a tremendous Destination Imagination program, something and get it. That’s when possible double major in biology. capacity for learning.” is a volunteer in the school’s Peer I’m most proud of things I’ve done,” Becoming a climate scientist is her If you weren’t convinced of that Tutoring program, and served as a Caroline said. She doesn’t have to career goal, with an eye on research by her eclectic choices of Advanced research intern at the Harwich Nat- be an all-star to enjoy something. that enables us to live more sus- Placement classes – English lit- ural Resources Center maintaining She’s not played flute in the regional tainably by reducing our carbon erature, biology, physics, calculus, shellfish labs, taking water samples, and state music festivals like the top footprint. writing – then consider her track leading facility tours and assisting musicians do, but she’s stuck with If she is named valedictorian, career. When she first started run- on field trips. her instrument since the sixth grade. Caroline thinks she’d tell her class- ning distance events in eighth grade, Oh, and in her final semester of “I’m not a super artsy person,” mates that their future life should be the diminutive miler went against school carrying a perfect 4.0 average Caroline said. “There’s something to follow their interest and passion. type and picked up the discus, with a good shot at being the school about it that I find is fun. … I like The road to success is paved with throwing it in competition. valedictorian. Caroline also earned being part of a group that is passion- hard work. “It’s my fun event. I do enjoy perfect scores in all her AP tests. ate about that (the music).” “I’m more of a lead-by-example doing it,” said Caroline, 18, a senior “Caroline possesses an incred- What is she really passionate type,” Caroline said of her leader- at Monomoy Regional High School. ible work ethic that allows her to put about? Calculus. ship as a team captain in track and As are most who are selected as forth superior effort, even when her “People would say, ‘You’re so cross country. “I go out and do what Rising Stars, her schedule is packed. life has competing responsibilities,” weird. Why do like to go to your I need to do.” RISING STARS 2019 | 7
Kaelly Farrell Nauset Regional High School
It might not go my way, but it’s going to be OK. You can always make a positive out of anything.
[MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Steve Derderian Regional High School to a three- of National Honor Society and a it because it’s the right thing to do.” [email protected] time incumbent by the slimmest of student senator. Outside of school, Kaelly tries to margins – one vote. She used her aptitude to mentor be a role model for her three younger aelly Farrell isn’t some- Afterward, she successfully cre- students before school, but would siblings and help out in the commu- body deterred by setbacks. ated a student prom committee often go the extra mile. nity. She devotes her time to St. Joan They only make her more of over 30 students dedicated to When a transfer student needed of Arc Church in Orleans, including K determined to turn difficult arranging the event. This year, it’ll help after school with a science helping her mother teach Confra- situations into positive movements be held at Wychmere Beach Club in lab, Kaelly asked her field hockey ternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) designed to lend a helping hand. Harwich Port. coach if she could spend some time classes. Kaelly was in eighth-grade when “It might not go my way, but it’s away from practice to help the She also works summers servicing her grandfather died of brain cancer. going to be OK,” Kaelly said. “You student. the cashier and counter at Arnold’s Since then she’s been inspired to can always make a positive out of Kaelly said she introduced the Clam Bar, where she polishes her study brain cancer and potential anything.” student to note-taking and study communication skills. When cus- treatments for it. Kaelly credits her three-year sci- methods, plus online apps like Qui- tomers get testy, Kaelly said, she “As he was going through treat- ence teacher, Courtney Simpson, zlet. The student earned a successful takes a deep breath and remembers ments, I was learning bits and pieces for driving her interest in studying grade. the guiding principle her parents about the biology behind it,” Kaelly microbiology and biotechnology in “She is by far the most genuine taught her. said. “Now that situation has moti- college next year. and compassionate student I have “They’ve always taught me to kill vated me to keep going with it.” Aside from school work, she worked with,” says Nauset guidance people with kindness,” Kaelly said. Kaelly also lost her senior-class has been a two-time field hockey counselor Brian White of Kaelly. “Even if they aren’t nice to me, I presidency election at Nauset captain, a class treasurer, a member “She does it the right way and does always do that.” 8 | RISING STARS 2019
Emily Franks Mashpee Middle-High School
I had to grow up young. I raised my brother.
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Christine Legere commitments. balance,” she said. applications last fall. Participation [email protected] Her brother Cole, 16, was pretty Emily played on the soccer and in a semester-long elective course much on his own, but brother Mat- lacrosse teams, and has been cap- called Falcon Buddies wound up our years ago, Emily Franks’ thew, 18 months her junior, needed her tain of each this year. During her determining her life’s course. life changed dramatically in support both with organizing for school high school career, she has been As a Falcon Buddy, Emily was the span of just 18 minutes: the and keeping up with his studies. a member of the Key Club, the assigned three eighth-grade special- F time it took for the onset of “I had to grow up young,” Emily National Technical Honor Society needs students whom she helps with multiple sclerosis to rob her mother, said. “I raised my brother.” and Mentors in Violence Prevention, classes and assignments during the Laura, of physical mobility and Aphrodite Purdy, a health educator and president of Health Occupation school day. major neurological functions. at Mashpee Middle-High School, had Students of America. “I’ve had them since the first day Abilities were slowly regained, but Emily in her class during that tough One achievement that particularly of school, and we had such great sometimes quickly lost in another freshman year. “It was a time when impressed Purdy was Emily’s han- connections,” Emily said. When the attack. she faced some challenges,” Purdy dling of a major fundraiser last fall as fall semester ended, she decided to “In the span of two years, she said. “But Emily stepped up to the part of her senior project. With just stay with the program until the end relapsed twice and had to go through plate. She was running a household in a month to put together an adult- of her senior year. the whole process again,” Emily those early days.” student soccer match and some She now has applications pending recalled. Emily’s’ help at home earned her accompanying raffles, she succeeded at University of New Hampshire and Emily, 13 years old at the time, the nickname of “MIT,” or “mother- in raising $4,000 for the Multiple UMass Boston. She plans to pursue started freshman year at Mash- in-training,” from her mom, and Sclerosis Foundation. a degree in social work and her pee Middle-High School with a far from Purdy a description as “resil- “Some kids hope for success; she certification as a special-education heavier burden than the average ient and enthusiastic.” goes after it with hard work,” Purdy teacher. student. Despite a demanding home sched- said. “I always wanted to help people, Her father, Todd, was in the ule, Emily pursued after-school Life’s next chapter will take Emily I just didn’t know what area to help military service, working an over- activities. in a direction she hadn’t anticipated in,” Emily said. “After this class, I night schedule with some heavy “Family came first, but I needed when she first submitted her college know.” RISING STARS 2019 | 9
Francesca Galazzi Nauset Regional High School
It’s how she applies her knowledge. It’s not theoretical for her. She uses it.
Stephen Boskus, guidance counselor
[MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Ethan Genter One of the striking things about The year before, she created independent-study courses to [email protected] Francesca, her guidance coun- her own study-abroad program in focus on language, culture and art, selor Stephen Boskus said, is her Bolivia, working with a family friend Boskus’ only student to do so. love for reading and language approach to learning. and taking classes in the South She’s also on the mock trial team has been with Francesca For her, it's not just about getting American country. and likes to do yoga and decompress Galazzi ever since she was good grades or moving on to get to Being able to use her skills to help in nature in her free time. A a kid, but mastery of the the next level; Francesca has a drive was a rewarding experience, she said. Her workload is so impressive, English language alone wasn’t in the and desire to take her knowledge She also cherishes being able Boskus said, that if he had the cards for the Nauset Regional High and use it to the real world, he said. to use it a little closer to home, power, he would let her skip under- School senior. “It’s how she applies her knowl- like when she can converse with graduate and go straight to grad “I’ve always wanted to be fluent edge,” he said. “It’s not theoretical Spanish-speaking children while school. in two languages,” she said. for her. She uses it.” volunteering at the Family Pantry of “She can match wits with the best Raised in Orleans, Francesca Indeed, Francesca has used her Cape Cod. of them,” he said. has applied herself to learning Spanish for the greater good. In her Even with the real-world expe- Nevertheless, Francesca is look- Spanish, stepping far outside the junior year, she served as a medical rience under her belt, Francesca ing forward to attending college normal school curriculum to further interpreter for Cape Cod-based doc- continues to push further into her and wants to study international immerse herself in the language. tors who were working in Ecuador. academic studies, arranging two relations. 10 | RISING STARS 2019
Shaez Gomes Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
I want to be more involved in singing and dancing. I want to be more creative.
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Bill Porter The car is affectionately nicknamed two walls in a classroom at a daycare instructor Gabe Coutinho. [email protected] “Purple Pain” and “The Crisis” for the center on the Upper Cape campus. Shaez’s life has not been without challenges it posed to fixing it up, but She’s also part of a group that sings challenges. When she was a young he 2005 Dodge Stratus sat its sparkling new purple coat, with the the national anthem at Upper Cape’s child, Shaez was diagnosed with in front of Shaez Gomes “Prince and the Revolution” decal on graduations. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome like a bowed and bloodied the driver’s side fender, makes it hard A senior whose area of study is with supraventricular tachycardia, T prizefighter, its ailments too to believe that it was ever anything collision repair technology, Shaez which occasionally caused her heart numerous to mention here. It was, but shiny and bold. works as a collision repair techni- to beat rapidly, and underwent sur- simply put, a wreck. “It was pretty bad,” said Shaez, cian doing prep work at Robertson’s gery at Boston Children’s Hospital But Shaez didn’t see the poor old who has pictures in her phone to Auto Body in Wareham as part of when she was about 7. She was held Chrysler for what it was. She saw prove it. her school’s cooperative educa- back a grade because of that and what it could be. The friend who Shaez, who lives in Wareham, tion program. “It’s a creative outlet now has yearly checkups. owned it was quite willing to part possesses such an abundance of for me,” Shaez said. “I feel like I’m She recalls chest pains that were with it, and for the paltry sum of interests and talents that appar- sculpting.” paralyzing. “I remember them being $300 it was all hers. ently the only thing in short supply She represented Upper Cape’s so bad that I would just curl up in The Upper Cape Tech student is time. She paints and draws, and collision repair program in the a ball on the couch and not move,” cleaned the interior and prepped and writes poems, songs and stories. prestigious SkillsUSA competition she said. painted the car, which now bears A poem and painting of hers at Greater New Bedford Vocational Shaez, an honor student since no resemblance to the clunker she are posted in the dean’s office at in March and won a bronze medal. she was a freshman, is a high honor rescued from a date with the scrap school. She and a few other students “Shaez is an inspiration to us all,” student this year. “I guess I have all heap last June. painted a mural that stretches across said Upper Cape collision repair A’s,” she said. RISING STARS 2019 | 11
Kari Gould Sandwich High School
Proudest accomplishment: Getting into Notre Dame, her mother’s alma matter
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Wheeler Cowperthwaite her willingness to help other people “We had a young team, so that that assembles and decorates book [email protected] in the groups, despite her own needs. was really cool, but it was a little shelves for new homeowners. “I felt like we were working along- challenging to have a young team,” Kari uses those Google Calendar hen Kari Gould started side each other,” Craig said. Kari said. skills to make sure she has time for her work as a mentor in Kari even taught a class on how to She started her second sport, sail- her school work, in addition to her the Sandwich High School use Google Calendar to keep track of ing, at the same age and raced in her sports and extracurricular activities. W senior mentor/freshman appointments and homework. local yacht club. She said she intends to major in seminar class, she wanted to pass on “It’s something I’ve adopted in “My mom and older brother, they chemical engineering with the ulti- the same experiences she had as a my life as well,” Craig said. were big into sailing,” she said. “So mate goal of becoming a medication freshman. Being a mentor is not the only thing when I was young, I wanted to try.” researcher. “I was able to establish such a Kari does. She spreads herself across When she got into high school, she “I want to be able to help people great relationship with my seniors two sports – hockey and sailing – joined the local sailing team and, in with my job, and while I didn’t want when I was a freshman,” she said. and is the captain for both teams. her junior year, became the cap- to be a doctor, I wanted to be able “I felt I learned and developed as a She started playing hockey when tain. Just like in her other activities, to work with math and chemistry,” person.” she was 8. In her junior year, she was much of the time in the sailing club Kari said. “I loved those subjects, Kari downplayed the role she had named as one of the four captains, involves mentoring the other mem- and I want to alleviate suffering in the class, but her teacher, Chelsea but, after the other girls weren’t bers and sharing techniques. from illnesses and diseases, and like Craig, said she stood out because of able to play, she was left as the one She also serves as the vice presi- that seems right up my alley, a direct her maternal and caring nature and person guiding the team. dent for a Habitat for Humanity club purpose in helping other people.” 12 | RISING STARS 2019
Cecelia Kane Sturgis Charter Public School East
That’s something really important, being able to laugh at yourself. And not taking yourself too seriously. And to keep trying until you get where you want to be.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Gwenn Friss of computing power has to fit into a Lombardozzi mentions that Cece …” she says, snapping her fingers [email protected] small space. always makes time to help and is a crisply to finish the sentence. “I am looking forward to the natural leader who welcomes new She appreciates the mathematical ecelia “Cece” Kane sees project teams at Cornell. They challenges. Cece admits she enjoys precision of a composer like Bach, engineering as “the perfect involve a service trip to design and challenging herself, especially when but loves the improvisational nature intersection of math and install real-world water systems,” it means conquering something new. of jazz. “That’s why I like jazz so C physics with creativity and says Cece, who traveled to South “I love improving things. I like much; it’s never the same,” says logic.” America with Sturgis classmates to fixing things around the house. My Cece, who teaches music to children The Harwich resident is president help build a new drainage system for dad (carpenter William Kane) always through a Salvation Army program. of Sturgis East’s engineering club, a school. let me help him when I was little,” In addition to being in the top 10 which is designing a hydraulic arm. Her advanced Spanish proved she says. percent of her class, Cece has been It doesn’t yet function as a biologi- helpful in dealing with the local From her mom (Monomoy Middle the top-ranked tennis player or the cal one does, but Cece doesn’t mind. project manager, playing with School science teacher Catherine past four years and has captained It’s work waiting to be done and the neighborhood kids and learning Kane) and grandmother (a concert the varsity tennis team. Lombar- collaboration, Cece says, is fun. basket-weaving from women in pianist), Cece inherited her love of dozzi writes that Cece made sure all “A big part of engineering is doing town. To complete a bilingual inter- music. She started asking for piano the players had transportation to it wrong the first couple of times national baccalaureate diploma, she lessons at 3 and got them at 5, the matches. until you do it right,” she says. took her senior chemistry exams and youngest student the neighborhood In her down time, Cece might be At Cornell University’s School of final in Spanish. Her facility with the teacher would accept. designing origami figures (“hun- Electrical and Computer Engineer- language also allows her to read her Now, she plays the piano to force dreds of them”) or reading math ing next fall, she wants to work with favorite poet, Chilean Pablo Neruda, herself to relax when a math prob- books for fun. other engineers on the integrated in the language in which he wrote. lem is threatening to keep her up all “I’m reading one now that you circuits found in biomed, personal When nominating her as a Rising night. “Learning music, especially would like,” she says. “It’s called, tech or any other field where a lot Star, school counselor Kerrie at a young age, makes you think like ‘Here’s Looking at Euclid.’” RISING STARS 2019 | 13
Renee Levesque Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
Because I love doing what I do, it doesn’t seem like busywork. It seems like just a fun way to escape.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Kristen Young those who know her say she doesn’t athletics, Advanced Placement a simple explanation for how she [email protected] let her achievements go to her head. classes and student government keeps up with such a full schedule. “She just has so much talent, and might be enough of a challenge for “Because I love doing what I do, enee Levesque succeeds at yet she’s a humble young lady,” some high school students, but it doesn’t seem like busywork,” she pretty much everything she Renee’s guidance counselor Nicole Renee still finds time to sing, write said. “It seems like just a fun way to does. D’Errico said. songs and play guitar – passions she escape.” R “She’s gifted in so many Renee’s innate ability to bring pursues outside of school. Renee, who lives in Dennis, plans ways,” Dennis-Yarmouth Regional out the best in others comes from Last year she wrote and recorded to attend in the fall Fairfield Uni- High School field hockey coach her tendency to lead by example, the four-track folk EP, “Colors,” in versity in Connecticut, where she Karen Olander said of the all-star according to Olander and D’Errico. which she sings about the ups and hopes to channel her leadership and captain who helped lead her She regularly sets high standards for downs of teenage life through the and artistic talents by majoring in team to a state championship this herself that others want to emulate. prism of blue, orange, yellow and marketing and minoring in art and past fall. “She’s very intelligent, “She makes everybody a little green. communications. she’s a great athlete, but she also has bit happier” Olander said. “She “Only got one life to live, I’ll paint But, first, she’d like to achieve one music and art that she excels at.” was very supportive of all of her it yellow,” Renee sings in “Paint It final goal at D-Y. As class president, a member of teammates. She found a way to Yellow,” “Give all I have to give and “Our tennis team’s looking pretty the National Honor Society and an encourage them to do their best paint it yellow.” good this year,” she said. “It would award-winning artist, Renee is no without putting them down.” Giving all she has to give seems to be cool to win some more games and stranger to accomplishment. But Balancing the demands of varsity come naturally to Renee, who has maybe make it to tournament.” 14 | RISING STARS 2019
Julia Milczanowski St. John Paul II High School By Mary Weatherby [email protected]
his year’s valedictorian at St. John Paul II High School is no stranger to the stage, but this humble, nearly lifelong student of ballet says T she feels more comfortable dancing there than speaking in front of an audience. Julia Milczanowski of Marstons Mills has a stel- lar academic career, including National Honor Society membership; a Notre Dame Book Award; Advanced Placement classes in chemistry, literature and calculus – and this latest honor of being chosen valedictorian. These achievements, combined with her extraordinary dedication to her dancing, make her a Rising Star. Julia has found a way to make sure she is success- ful in the classroom and at the barre, even with daily trips to dance at the Koltun Academy in Boston. She does homework during the commute, and recovers and catches up on Sunday, her one day off. “I know that I work hard, but I also know that there are people who work just as hard as I do,” Julia said. She started that hard work as a kindergartner at the Sandwich Dance Academy, then at Atlantic Coast Academy of Dance in Hyannis until her sopho- more year in high school, when she began studying at Koltun Academy. Julia keeps those ties to the Cape through her community service; she teaches special-needs dance classes at Atlantic Coast Academy, where her help with choreography allows those with disabilities to participate with mainstream dancers. When a back injury sidelined Julia that first year at Koltun Academy – and she wasn’t able to dance at all during her recovery – she says, “They thought I got scared and left.” Julia is definitely not scared of hard work and new adventures. She studied last year at a summer intensive pro- gram with the Bolshoi Ballet in New York City. The three-week program involved living on her own in the city and working with teachers who spoke only Russian.The experience gave Julia a new perspective on her future. “That’s when I really decided I would go to college in New York City – I fell in love with that city,” she said. Julia will enter Fordham University in the fall as a natural sciences major. She also auditioned recently for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s pro- [STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES] fessional division, describing the competition as “fierce.” She hopes to study there in tandem with her classes at Fordham, adding contemporary and modern dance to her repertoire. And though we won’t hear a valedictory address I know that I work hard, but I also know that there from her at this year’s graduation – the valedictorian are people who work just as hard as I do. is not the de facto speaker; all seniors at St. John Paul II have the opportunity to submit essays for con- sideration – we are sure to hear, and see, more from Julia Milczanowsky in the future. RISING STARS 2019 | 15
Avery Nardone Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
How your friends would describe you:
Talkative, very sarcastic and relatable. I always have a million things going on, and there’s always some funny story I have to tell my friends.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Jason Kolnos American Red Cross Heroes Break- nurses really made a difference in field hockey team and said helping [email protected] fast for the rescue. his mood,” Avery said. “When I’m bring home the first state champi- “Avery heard the cries for help a nurse, I just want to distract my onship since 1987 this past fall was very Nardone is cool under and didn’t hesitate. She was the first patients from their illness and try to among her proudest accomplish- pressure and doesn’t back person to rush to his side,” the boy’s make them more comfortable, and ments. In the “hype circle” before down from even the most dif- mother, Kathy Curran, told the crowd. more happy.” the big game, she shared one of her A ficult situations. The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Susan Duenas, a nurse practitioner favorite quotes: “If you have faith as That was on display in August High School senior and field hockey at Bickford, said patients constantly small as a mustard seed, you can say when a mother ran toward Avery, leader plans to study in the nursing compliment her about Avery’s posi- to this mountain, 'Move from here to screaming that her boy needed program at Worcester State Univer- tive presence. there,' and it will move. Nothing will urgent help. sity. Avery is an intern at Bickford “She’s a natural. She has a very be impossible for you." (Bible: Mat- A lifeguard at Yarmouth’s South Health Associates, where she’s caring manner and listens well,” thew 17:20). Middle Beach, Avery sprinted to entrusted to take patients’ blood Duenas said. Ambitious, tenacious and authen- aid the unconscious 2-year-old, pressure, work the EKG machine In addition to participating in tic are just some of the ways people who was having a seizure that was and even draw blood. She previously Rotary’s Interact Club, class officers who know Avery describe her. She exacerbated by extreme heat. Quick- shadowed the nurse at Ezra H. Baker and student ambassadors at school, says building positive relationships thinking actions like grabbing ice Elementary School to assist with Avery formed her own group called is a goal to always strive for. from coolers of beachgoers helped bumps, bruises and belly aches. Empower. This club focuses on help- “I just think it’s important to stay Avery stabilize the child until the If you have to get a shot, you’re ing veterans through local events motivated because there are so many ambulance arrived. The boy fully going to want Avery holding the – from blood drives to placing and things you can accomplish and you recovered after a brief stay in the needle. removing flags and wreaths at the can affect so many other people’s hospital. “When my grandfather was diag- Massachusetts National Cemetery. lives and how they feel about Avery was recently honored at the nosed with cancer, I noticed that the Avery is co-captain of the varsity themselves.” 16 | RISING STARS 2019
Benten Niggel Nauset Regional High School
I surround myself with people that inspire me. They push themselves, so I push myself.
[MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Cynthia McCormick summer with the state attorney gen- “It was kind of like Mister McNa- “He was a terrific contributor,” [email protected] eral’s office while taking two political mara sparked something.” Schropfer said. “He represents his science classes at Harvard, which he These days he is on a first-name class on a very high level.” auset Regional High School will attend as a freshman this fall. basis with state Sen. Julian Cyr Benten said he feels the need to senior Benten Niggel’s career Last year, after the high school (D-Truro) and state Rep. Sarah give back to the community because in government started early shooting massacre in Parkland, Peake (D-Provincetown). community members supported him N with an appointment two Florida, Benten raised $10,000 to “Your politicians are your com- after his mother adopted him and his years ago to Eastham’s Strategic take 50 Nauset and Mashpee stu- munity members,” Benten said. “If older brother when they were pre- Planning Committee. dents on a bus to Washington, D.C., you really want to get involved, start school and elementary-school age. Benten, whose mother Barbara for the March for Our Lives. local.” In high school, he and some Niggel owns Willy’s Gym, said he’d “I thought ‘Why can’t two sides “He’s vocal, which many high friends founded an organization that been asking questions about East- come together and pass some gun school students who attend meet- distributed more than 100 school ham’s freeze on development in an regulations that make sense? We’re ings are not,” said David W. backpacks to low-income children area where Dollar General wanted to not asking to take guns away’” but Schropfer, who nominated Benten across the Cape. open a store and was invited to join for background checks and other for the Rising Star recognition. “I really love listening to people the new committee. safety measures, Benten said. Schropfer said he met Benten and helping them out,” Benten said. “I was the first student to ever sit He said his interest in government while serving on an ad-hoc commit- Serving at the state or federal level on a committee for the town of East- was sparked by an honors civics tee looking into safety and security and running for political office are ham as a full member,” Benten said. class he took with teacher Michael issues at Nauset Regional High definitely possibilities for the future, Benten also works as an intern at McNamara at Nauset Regional High School, where Benten is senior class he said. “We’ll see where life takes Eastham Town Hall, and interned last School. president. me.” RISING STARS 2019 | 17
Lucy Pollock Nauset Regional High School
By Mary Weatherby [email protected]
hat’s important to Nauset Regional High School senior Lucy Pollock? History. W Music. Books. In that order, she says. And cats. She has two sets of feline triplets, and they are the loves of her life. Yet despite the simple, straightfor- ward way this scholar and musician from Brewster describes her passions, Lucy’s achievements, activities and honors point to an impressive mix of academics and community service that make her a Rising Star. To satisfy her love of history, Lucy volunteers as a docent at the Elijah Cobb House in Brewster. She says when she was deciding on summer volunteer opportunities, it came down to the Cobb House and the Drummer Boy Museum. “Elijah Cobb had air conditioning, so it won,” she says. Her eyes light up as she describes how much she values teaching people about Brewster. Lucy celebrates her second pas- sion – music – through her alto sax. She has been invited to all- Cape and all-state music festivals, [MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES] teaches saxophone to sixth-graders at Nauset Middle School and plays in the Brewster Town Band. Last year, she won the Maestro Award Anything you love doing is worth doing. at the World Strides Music Festival in Atlanta for her outstanding solo performance. She describes the deep connec- tions she has made through music, community service began at home. students on the Cape – she matches Simmons College, Suffolk Univer- from the middle-schoolers she “My parents made sure it was some- those who need service hours in the sity and University of Massachusetts works with to the saxophonist in the thing that mattered.” community with volunteer opportu- Boston, and will make her decision by town band approaching his 100th Another place where Lucy’s nities, and has partnered with local May 1. She says she is leaning toward birthday. love for her community matters is high schools to offer concert tickets Suffolk, and not just because “they “I have met so many of my good the Family Pantry of Cape Cod in in exchange for donations of canned have puppy day for relieving stress, friends through band.” Harwich. and nonperishable foods to the pan- which seems like a good idea.” That brings us to books, and the Lucy started volunteering at the try’s stock. She chose Boston because of her Little Free Library she built with her pantry’s Second Glance Thrift Shop, Academically, Lucy shines. She is love of history and the city’s proxim- father at their home. “We had that and when a spot opened on the No. 8 in Nauset’s Class of 2019, and ity to the ocean. “I really need to see moment when we looked at each Family Pantry’s board as a youth has taken several Advanced Place- the water and feel like I’m at home,” other and said, ‘Why not?’” Lucy director, she was recommended for ment classes at Nauset, including she says. said. She stocked the library with the job. She is responsible for bring- psychology, statistics, biology and Will her community service con- classic novels, Golden Books for ing new ideas to the organization, Spanish. tinue next year at school in Boston? kids, cookbooks – even romance sto- such as taking the nonprofit group’s She also has been part of the dual Lucy is already thinking about how ries when she received a note from a social media presence beyond Twit- enrollment program at Cape Cod she can contribute to the Greater woman requesting that genre. ter and Facebook to Instagram. Community College, with online Boston Food Bank. “To see people excited about the “I helped create contacts with a college-level courses in U.S. history “Boston’s not only big and scary to books I put in there is tangible,” demographic they didn’t have con- and English. me, but there are a lot of people who Lucy says. tact with,” she says. Lucy has narrowed her choice of need help. I want to see how I can do Lucy says her dedication to Her role also is to connect with colleges to three schools, all in Boston: things there.” 18 | RISING STARS 2019
Toriana Richards Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
As a child, really, I was always just amazed by nature.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Matt Goisman amazed by nature,” Toriana said. “I we try now.” sophomore two years ago took her [email protected] would just go in the backyard, grab a Rising sea levels and climate leadership to the next level. She’s trash bag, and dig through the woods change are national issues, but Tori- considering minoring in public oriana Richards spent a lot and pick up trash. I really felt a sense ana has always tried to balance that policy at Colby. of afternoons home alone of well-being doing that.” with local initiatives. She founded “One of my ultimate goals is to as a kid. Her mother, Mar- Toriana’s exposure to nature dates the Environmental Club at D-Y, and be involved with environmental T cela, worked two jobs, giving back to being a Girl Scout, but as a that group has undertaken a number legislation,” Toriana said. “I have a Toriana plenty of time to explore the senior her interests extend through- of projects, including developing a voice, and I have a passion, so I can woods behind her house in South out the STEM fields. She’s been a composting strategy for food waste act on that.” Yarmouth. math tutor and member of the com- and encouraging recycling. Toriana credits her drive and Toriana learned discipline puter programming club Girls Who “She had kind of a mission of determination to her single mother. and hard work from her mother. Code, designing a website to raise who she was going to be even from Toriana has worked as many as three She also developed a passion for awareness for ocean pollution. a young age,” said Nicole D’Errico, part-time jobs at times in her life, nature through those trips in the She is also a member of the Sci- Toriana’s guidance counselor at and said she learned how to handle woods that’s fueled much of her ence National Honor Society and has D-Y. “She’s always been a woman that by watching her mother. environmental activism at Dennis- researched the effects of rising sea on a mission.” “I’ve watched her work so hard all Yarmouth Regional High School. levels as an SNHS project. Toriana said she arrived at D-Y my life, so that’s why I work hard,” She plans to major in environmental “It’s our generation that’s going to wanting to be an environmental Toriana said. “Paying for college, I science at Colby College in Maine. have to face the problem,” Toriana activist, but a trip to the Mass- don’t mind paying for it when I’ve “As a child, really, I was always just said. “We can fix what we’ve done if STAR Citizenship Conference as a worked my way there.” RISING STARS 2019 | 19
Layla Sastry Sandwich High School
When I started to get involved, I was really passionate and motivated to start taking a leadership role.
[MERRILY CASSIDY/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Tanner Stening erosion and flooding, Layla says, her sophomore year, and she is a Geological Survey and the Woods [email protected] provided a lens through which she Hebrew language instructor at the Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her could understand some of the big- Falmouth Jewish Congregation. She time at the Survey included a project ayla Sastry remembers fondly picture environmental challenges also created the Science Club at the in which she navigated the coastal a series of scientific talks she facing humanity. high school, which would merge waters using the machine “Sea- used to attend as a young Having committed to Tufts with the already existing Recycling BOSS” – a device used to take seabed L child with her grandparents University, Layla says she’s fairly Club. That venture would lead to images and sediment samples. She in Woods Hole, where she was first certain she’d like to pursue scien- a “trayless Tuesdays” initiative, also produced a video, capturing the exposed to some of the big environ- tific studies, specifically a degree in which aims to reduce and eventually SeaBOSS in action, which has since mental issues of the day. applied environmental studies – a eliminate the use of styrofoam in the been posted on the Survey’s web- “It was inspiring to hear talks from program offering an interdisciplin- school cafeteria. site. Separate from that project, she amazing scientists who are passion- ary approach to understanding Layla keeps a busy schedule, also was tasked with overhauling the ate about their work,” Layla says. environmental problems. but she admits to beginning her Survey’s website. The 17-year-old Sandwich High But Layla’s talents and inter- high school career inside a shell of Despite uncertainty that lies ahead School senior would return to the ests extend beyond the realm shyness. for a world filled with economic scientific haven years after her of science: She’s excelled in her “I never saw myself as a leader,” issues, Layla stresses the importance family moved to Sandwich from literature and composition classes, Layla said. “When I started to get of hope. Westford. Layla says she fell in love she’s danced ballet since age 3, involved, I was really passionate and “I think it’s important to stay with the area, and not just for its she’s on the school’s sailing team motivated to start taking a leader- optimistic about these issues,” she pristine beaches. and she is deeply involved in civic ship role.” said. “Kids my age are more con- The Cape’s changing weather community work. She began vol- Over the past two summers, Layla scientious; I’ve seen it even just patterns and its issues of sand dune unteering for Habitat for Humanity worked as an intern at the U.S. through efforts at my school.” 20 | RISING STARS 2019
Elizabeth Scott Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
I don’t want people to be hurt or scared when there are other people that can help them.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By MaryAnn Bragg the police academy. Normally, when Liz, who plays cello and is a last fall. She says she really loves it [email protected] new police officers are hired by towns, member of the color guard, credits all. She’s helped with traffic detail they are sent to the police acad- the kindness and problem-solving in a parade. She’s fired a Glock 9mm lizabeth “Liz” Scott has an emy and towns have to pay around skills of Yarmouth School Resource handgun. She’s spent time with the engaging, open and forthright $70,000 for that training, Liz says. Officer Nick Pasquarosa in a dispute police dispatchers and talked with manner that has endeared her “When I graduate, I’ll have my between her and another child with canine officers and detectives. E to Dennis-Yarmouth Regional degree and I’ll be fully employable.” setting an example that she remem- “The whole thing is exciting,” Liz High School guidance counselor The possibility of entering into bers distinctly. says. “All of it.” Nicole D’Errico and others. a career of police work may have “Like, he was really kind, and he Through some difficulties in her “Having worked with Liz the past started with a reality television helped us figure it out,” Liz says. home life has come a better under- four years, I have come to know a show, “Animal Cops,” in which “And then I kind of forgot about him, standing, Liz says, of the kind of curious, verbal and animated young police investigate the abuse of and then when I met him my eighth police officer she wants to be. adult,” D’Errico says. animals. Liz says she watched it grade year as a school resource officer “My family, we’re not the great- Liz, a senior who lives in West Yar- religiously as a little kid, at D-Y, he’s just been helping me est communicators, we’ve had mouth with her mother, Violet, will “I thought I wanted to be a vet, but figure everything out.” some problems,” she says. “I don’t enter Fitchburg State College in the I was, like, ‘No, I can’t handle seeing Liz started as a freshman in the want to let that continue to happen. fall to study criminal justice in a five- animals in pain,’” she says. “Then I after-school Police Explorers club at I don’t want people to be hurt or year program that allows her both to thought, ‘Maybe I can go and get the the police department in Yarmouth scared when there are other people obtain a masters degree and to attend bad guys that are doing that.’” and interned with the department that can help them.” RISING STARS 2019 | 21
Jillian Taylor Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
This is a team, and I am really glad to be a part of this team.
[RON SCHLOERB/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Beth Treffeisen educational needs, she decided to prevents her to learn things the the Occupational Health and Safety [email protected] follow her heart and applied to the conventional way and her parents’ Leadership competition in 2017 and regional tech school. divorce during her freshman year of again in 2018. espite challenges that could “I decided I didn’t want my IEP high school, Jillian turned her inward As she looks to attending col- have set back any student, and learning disability to get the best angst into tremendous productivity lege next year, she hopes to major Jillian Taylor has overcome of me,” said Jillian, who was born through her love of science. in natural resource conservation D them not only to do well in her and raised in Bourne. Despite relying Jillian most recently competed in and environmental science with a school work but to accomplish much on the IEP for a number of different the regional Massachusetts Science concentration in hydrology and toxi- more. things, she said, “I was kind of done in and Engineering Fair at Bridgewater cology. Her ultimate goal is to travel “She had come to us motivated allowing that (to) define who I was.” State University with a project that to Third World countries to help and worked through some challenges So she hit the books and figured spectro analyzed commonly used clean up waterways. that would have set many other out different ways of teaching herself water bottles, testing for safety. Closer to home, Jillian recently students back in development,” said to learn. By the time eighth grade Placing third, she will now go on started an environmental internship Chuck Lawrence, Upper Cape Cod came to an end, she applied to the to compete at the state level at the at the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Technical School environ- technical school and got in. Massachusetts Institute of Technol- Resource Recovery Facility, which mental technology teacher. “She’s a “(My teachers) have showed me ogy in May. converts waste into technology. The hero. She really turned lemons into that there are different things in life Last year, Jillian also won a bronze position was created specifically for lemonade.” you will have to overcome and you at the fair with her work researching her. She will help to manage a waste- Despite being advised to go the will always have support when you the decomposition of plant matter in water project, she said. traditional route to Bourne High need it,” Jillian said. “This is a team, Cape Cod estuaries. “She’s a wonderful great kid,” said School due to her Individual- and I am really glad to be a part of Jillian also has earned gold at the Robert Dutch, superintendent of ized Education Program, which this team.” SkillsUSA National Leadership Con- Upper Cape Tech. “Since sophomore is designed for those with special Despite a learning disability that ference in Louisville, Kentucky, in year she has been a rising star.” 22 | RISING STARS 2019
Carly Whiteside Barnstable High School
Things will happen that you can’t control, in life and sports, and you just have to deal with it.
[STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE COD TIMES]
By Paul Pronovost plant, my right knee landed weird, setting an ambitious timeline of nine special-needs students, including [email protected] my footing was off, and my knee months to be back on the court. working with the Special Olym- buckled.” Surgery was at Children’s Hospi- pics, among her extra-curricular t was all happening for Carly Doctors at a D.C.-area hospital tal in September. Months of PT work activities. Whiteside in the summer of 2017. took X-rays, but Carly wouldn’t followed. Carly was back in the paint In the fall she is heading to the It almost all disappeared with know the verdict until she got back under the hoop of a competitive University of Vermont, where she I one awkward landing. to the Cape and had an MRI. That game again in April. will play Division 1 basketball on Carly had just finished her meant an eight-hour bus ride filled Eight months. a scholarship. She plans to study sophomore year at Barnstable High with pain and uncertainty. “I was really set on coming back education at Vermont, with a con- School, where she was a young When the results came in, it was a stronger,” she said. centration in special education to standout with the Red Raiders girls’ worst-case scenario: Her anterior- She had missed her junior year make a difference for people like her basketball team. Already a varsity cruciate ligament was torn. on the court, but as a senior Carly older brother, Cameron, who is on captain and getting looks from Divi- “I was pretty devastated. I kinda did indeed come back stronger than the autism spectrum. sion 1 college programs, she was broke down in the office,” she said. ever, resuming her role as a domi- Carly has learned many life les- playing in a showcase game with “It hadn’t really hit me that I would nant player in the Old Colony League sons through sports – the value of some of the top basketball players definitely need surgery. I thought and leading the Red Raiders to the working as a team, mental tough- in the country in Washington, D.C., maybe I could do some physical MIAA Division 1 tournament a year ness, how to do things the right way when it happened. therapy.” after the team had only two wins. – and her injury taught her quite a “It was one of the last games of An ACL tear is a career-ending In an all-star season, she reached a bit about herself. the tournament,” she recalled. “I injury for some athletes. Rehabilita- milestone only a dozen Barnstable “I know that little bumps and was dribbling and I felt the defender tion is a long and grueling process, players had ever achieved before bruises are not the end of the coming up on my shoulder, so I with no guarantee of a comeback her: scoring 1,000 career points. world,” she said. “Things will decided to jump-stop, hoping they and even less certainty of playing at Off the court, Carly has been happen that you can’t control, in life would go flying by and I would have the same level. But Carly was deter- named to the National Honor and sports, and you just have to deal a wide open layup. And, on the mined to push through the pain, Society, and she volunteers with with it.” RISING STARS 2019 | 23 Congratulations to each of the 2019 Rising Stars nominees
Evan Abramson Perry Comeau Ben Holmes Lauren Ofria Sandwich High School Monomoy Regional High School Cape Cod Academy Barnstable High School
Richard William Amsel IV Carly Coughlin Alexander Houston Cameron Ottaviano Sandwich High School Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Barnstable High School Sandwich High School
Lily Anderson Anna Crowell Danny Hufnagle Ruby Pelagio Sandwich High School Nauset Regional High School St. John Paul II High School Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
Patrick Armstrong Maxcy Denmark Emily Hunt Katie Pimental St. John Paul II High School Sandwich High School Sandwich High School Sandwich High School
Ashley Atkinson Christine Destefano Riley James Killian Powell Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Barnstable High School St. John Paul II High School
Nathan Balk-King Isabelle Edgar Kayla Jorgensen Isabelle Ramage Sturgis Charter Public School Falmouth High School Barnstable High School Sturgis Charter Public School
Adam Beal Colleen Ellis Darren Katziff Sasha Rivers Cape Cod Regional Technical High School Barnstable High School St. John Paul II High School Cape Cod Academy, Osterville
Jacquelyn Beaulieu Kathryn Ferrini Aidan Kotoski Kyle Rizzuto Sandwich High School Sandwich High School Monomoy Regional High School Sturgis Charter Public School
Marina Blaksteen Erin Floyd Grace Kwon Tamae Robinson Monomoy Regional High School Nauset Regional High School Falmouth High School Sturgis Charter Public School
Tahj Bohun Destany Foley Jacob Lapp Joseph Rotondo Mashpee Middle-High School Barnstable High School Sandwich High School Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
Carolyn Rose Bradley Cassandra Francis Jony Liu Jamison Rushnak Sandwich High School Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School St. John Paul II High School Nauset Regional High School
Christopher Bresnahan William Furtado Danielle Long Alexander Saffl e St. John Paul II High School Sturgis Charter Public School Sandwich High School Riverview School, East Sandwich
Madison Brun Katerina Ganshaw Ceili Magnus Ethan Sirhal Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Monomoy Regional High School Barnstable High School Sturgis Charter Public School
Amelie Buchard Xavier Gonsalves Kayla Mathews Maximilian Smith Sandwich High School Mashpee Middle-High School Falmouth High School Nauset Regional High School
Sydney Burke Delaney Gosse Jacquelyn (Jackie) May Isaiah Stafford Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Sturgis Charter Public School Monomoy Regional High School
Victoria Butler Ariana Hanley Matthew McCauley Steven G. Tanguilig St. John Paul II High School Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Barnstable High School Sandwich High School
James Cahoon Faith Hathaway Catherine McGee Amelia Tardif Bourne High School Nauset Regional High School Sandwich High School Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
Mackenzie Caron Joe Hess Claire Meli Anna Terrenzi Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Bourne High School Sturgis Charter Public School Nauset Regional High School
Ali Carpenter Max Hess Duke Melton Tucker Thomas Barnstable High School Bourne High School Falmouth High School Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
Gabriel Carvalho Ashlinn Hoffmeister Hannah Mitchell Alexis Wenzel Falmouth High School St. John Paul II High School Monomoy Regional High School Mashpee Middle-High School
Kyle Charlot Jack Holland Ingrid K. Murphy Tiffany White Monomoy Regional High School Sturgis Charter Public School Barnstable High School Sandwich High School
Lin Mary Clancy Jennifer Hollis Charles Nystrom Charles Qianlong Xu Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Cape Cod Regional Technical High School Barnstable High School Falmouth High School
Mingde “Bryan” Zeng Cape Cod Academy