Kingston’s school district has announced that Kira Milgrim is the valedictorian and Coleman Kane-Horrigan the salutatorian of the Kingston High School Class of 2019. The pair were narrowly separated by decimal points in their grade-point averages.
“Those decimal points matter when we make these calculations,” said superintendent Paul Padalino. “I had the pleasure of meeting both of these students several times. I’m just very proud to have students of this caliber coming out of our school district and representing Kingston. I want to congratulate the parents of both our valedictorian and salutatorian on raising such fantastic children, and sharing them with us.” Milgrim earned a 100.389 GPA to become valedictorian. Beginning her education journey as a kindergartner, Milgrim attended Harry L. Edson Elementary School and J. Watson Bailey Middle School before moving on to Kingston High. “This student by taking advantage of the AP and college classes offered at Kingston High School, and by being brilliant, has earned enough credits to have a full semester under her belt when she enters college this fall,” said Padalino. “If that didn’t keep her busy enough, she was also a drum major for the Kingston High School marching band.”
Milgrim first joined the band as an eighth grader, sticking with it throughout her time in Kingston schools. She was also in the color guard for four years and played saxophone in the KHS concert band.
Her senior year at Kingston High has been advanced placement-heavy, with AP courses on calculus, chemistry and physics-mechanics, along with College Spanish II. Milgrim will attend Boston University in the fall majoring in biomedical engineering, with an eye on becoming a pediatric surgeon. “Being valedictorian should not be the end goal,” Milgrim is quoted as saying in a school district press release. “Kids should do what they love, work hard, and do what they care about. The grades will come.”
Kane-Horrigan earned a 100.255 GPA to become salutatorian. A student at both Edson and Anna Devine elementary schools, Kane-Horrigan began his secondary education at the Hudson Valley Sudbury School before moving to Kingston High. As a KHS senior, Kane-Horrigan has studied AP English literature, AP computer science, honors physics, honors pre-calculus, AP macroeconomics, AP U.S. government and politics, and astronomy. He also serves as president of both the Academic Worldquest club and Highlights, vice president of Science Olympiad, and is a member of the robotics club.
Kane-Horrigan is still considering whether to attend the Cooper Union or the University at Buffalo. He plans to study civil engineering in college. “Put effort into developing good study and work habits,” said Kane-Horrigan. “Expose yourself to new experiences that are outside your comfort zone.”
Kingston High School will hold its 2019 graduation ceremony at Dietz Stadium on Friday, June 28.
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