Kingston High School this week announced Grace Gavis and Patricia Kuster as the valedictorian and salutatorian respectively for its Class of 2018.
Gavis earned top honors with a cumulative grade point average of 100.863. Gavis started her academic career as a kindergartner at Chambers Elementary School, moving on to M. Clifford Miller Middle School before finishing up at Kingston High. She credited teachers like Tom Muro, Teresa Myers and Rosemarie Wisneski with helping her through elementary and middle school, and Karen Garner and Nicholas Avossa as being among her key teachers at KHS.
Still in the thick of her senior year, Gavis has an ambitious schedule which includes science fiction, AP United States Government, AP macroeconomics, AP calculus, AP chemistry, honors physics and college Spanish II. She’s also the treasurer of the Class of 2018, secretary of both the National Honor Society and Key Club, and has excelled as an athlete and captain of both the varsity field hockey and girls lacrosse teams.
With an eye on a biology/pre-med major in college, Gavis is hoping to attend Cornell, Villanova, Holy Cross, or Colgate.
In addition to her teachers, Gavis credits her family, her boyfriend Ryan, and her twin sister Meghan — ranked sixth in the Class of 2018 — with helping her be a success.
“My sister makes me a better student, athlete, and person,” said Gavis in a district press release.
As for any advice she has for underclassmen in KHS and across the district, Gavis said, “Take time to study, but also to have fun. Take advantage of all Kingston High School has to offer.”
With a GPA of 100.565, Kuster will serve as the salutatorian of the Class of 2018. After attending the former Zena Elementary School, Kuster joined Gavis at Miller. She named Mr. Hansen and Mr. Sherman as among the teachers who stood out in both schools.
As a senior, Kuster’s busy schedule includes AP English literature, AP U.S. government, AP macroeconomics, AP calculus, AP chemistry and others. Sean Sullivan and Karen Garner were among the teachers she’s enjoyed having.
Kuster has also had a full slate outside of the classroom, participating in orchestra, chorus, choir, varsity tennis, the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, math team, the Science Olympiad and the KHS marching band.
Planning to major in health sciences, Kuster is considering numerous colleges, including SUNY Stony Brook.
“Since first meeting Grace and Patricia at Miller Middle School years ago, they have grown into passionate young woman who are not only role models for those around them, but also leaders who fully embody the attributes of scholarship and citizenship, while maintaining their humble, positive nature,” said Assistant Principal Tina Montano.
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