The grads plan on attending Wake Forest and University of Miami.
Robotics Club, Math Club, the Deborah Heart and Challenge Team, National Honor Society, National English Honors Society, marching band, student government and various AP and honors classes were all of what Seneca High School valedictorian Kevin Woytowich could rattle off when asked about his extracurricular activities and achievements.
The graduating senior was the mechanical lead in his Robotics Club and the saxophone section leader of the school’s marching band. He was the treasurer in his school’s student government and his school’s branch of National Honor Society and National English Honor Society.
“I enjoy having a minor role in a lot of different activities because it helps me see how things are run without having to make any tough decisions,” Woytowich said of his wide array of activities.
The school’s salutatorian, Ashley Paetow, had a just as impressive resume. Paetow, who also completed many AP and honors courses, was involved with DECA, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and Interact Club. She also ran cross country and winter track, while completing seasons in lacrosse and basketball.
“It feels really good,” Woytowich said. “We’ve worked pretty hard for this and it’s something that I’ve personally wanted for awhile. I’m glad that the work we both put in has paid off.”
“My family was very excited,” Paetow said. “A little surprised maybe because I kind of just took high school as marking period by marking period, semester by semester. I cared about my grades and everything, but I didn’t picture myself being salutatorian … When I found out that we were tied for №1, it was a little bit of a surprise but it was awesome.”
Both students had 6.0 GPAs — the highest possible score. However, Woytowich completed more AP classes, and therefore won the tiebreaker for the valedictorian title.
Both Woytowich and Paetow are bright kids. They’re well-spoken, enthusiastic about learning, and both have big plans for their post-graduation future.
“I’ll be going to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.,” Woytowich said, “It’s something I’m looking forward to. I’m going to be going for math and physics.”
Woytowich isn’t 100 percent certain what he wants to do in the long-term career-wise, but he has mostly narrowed it down to either astrophysics or particle physics. He plans to go to graduate school upon receiving his four-year degree.
Paetow, inspired by her work with DECA, a business club, will be getting her degree in finance from the University of Miami. She might go to law school after.
“I’m nervous because it’s very far, but at the same time I feel ready because I visited my junior year, and I loved the campus,” Paetow said. “I love cities in general and I’m really excited to go to school right near one of the most thriving cities in America, and I think that will have a lot of opportunities for internships and jobs because you’re right near all of your future employers.”
“They’re great students,” Assistant Principal Dave Knecht said. “We’re happy to have them, and as they told you, they’re well rounded and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”
