North Tonawanda High School’s valedictorian Caroline Sorenson and salutatorian Jessica Utzig both are set to buck the trends of the old school.
Both young women are pursuing careers in the traditionally male-dominated field of math and science.
Sorenson will attend Bridgewater College in Virginia for physics and Equine Science. Utzig has chosen the University of Buffalo to pursue a career as a pharmacist.
“It’s going to be new and different, but I’m definitely excited,” Utzig said.
Another thing the two have in common is a long list of activities and awards they’ve accumulated throughout the high school years.
Those activities and accomplishments, not just for North Tonawanda’s top two students, but the entire senior class, were celebrated Sunday with the school’s commencement ceremony held at Artpark.
Utzig, 18, said winning the honor wasn’t so much a goal on her part, but rather an extension of her enthusiasm for academics.
“I didn’t really think about it, I just did my school work and what happened happened,” she said. “I pretty much enjoyed most of my subjects but most of all math and science.”
Sorenson, on vacation prior to graduation Sunday, was unavailable for comment.
But both students have demonstrated experience in a wide variety of organizations and academic pursuits.
Included among these are groups and clubs like the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Amnesty International, Future Leaders of America, the Science Olympiad, and numerous other advanced placement classes in subjects like physics and calculus.
Utzig was an athlete while in school, competing in golf, soccer, ski club and chess club.
Sorenson’s grade point average was 99.614 percent. Utzig finished up with a razor thin difference, at 99.6 percent.
Utzig said the cheaper tuition offered by attending a local school was a plus, but not the sole basis for her decision. She has received thousands of dollars in private and public scholarships, including the Provost Scholarship, for $3,000, offered by the university.
She will continue her summer job as a cashier at Wegman’s and as a cook at the clubhouse at Tan Tara Golf Course before starting college Aug. 25.
The program, she said, entails putting in two years toward a bachelor’s degree before applying to other schools, including the one at the University of Buffalo, for another four in order to complete the necessary doctorate.
Caroline Sorenson, this year's valedictorian.None/(Click for larger image)
Jessica Utzig, this year's salutatorian.None/(Click for larger image)
Sarah Paradowski, right, adjusts, Jay Clark’s honor roll medal before the North Tonawanda graduation ceremony starts at Artpark on Sunday.None/(Click for larger image)
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