High School Student Spotlight

June Student Spotlight – Ilkaliz G. – Grade 12
Nominated by Sarah Jordan and Brittany French

Senior Ilkaliz G. has taken a nontraditional path to graduation. Her journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, self-advocacy, and resilience. Ilkaliz is always kind to others, with a sunny disposition that puts smiles on their faces. She often shares encouraging words, helping make our classroom a friendly and welcoming place. Despite life changes along the way, she has remained focused on her progress while taking the initiative to advocate for her academic success. She is a hard worker, facing challenges head-on with the grit to persevere. Ilkaliz is now poised to graduate, a strong student with a clear sense of purpose. Her success story illustrates the power of virtual learning environments for students who need a different approach to achieve their goals!

Student Spotlight – Naomi D. – Grade 10
Nominated by Teacher Allison Ripley

Tenth grade student, Naomi D., is new to GCVS this year but she hasn’t missed a beat. She has adapted to this style of learning quickly and with such grace. Naomi is patient and kind with her classmates and brings so much to our class discussion, proving that she is wise beyond her years. She consistently makes connections between what we are learning in class to the real world, which as history teachers is our biggest goal. Outside of GCVS, Naomi is actively involved in her local community and passionate about social justice. She has participated in local civil rights movements, demonstrating a strong commitment to equity and change. Her dedication to making a difference is truly inspiring!

GCVS February Student Spotlight – Gracelynn A. – Grade 10
Nominated by Karina Tuting

Gracelynn is a dedicated and hardworking student who always gives 100% in everything she does. Her ability to reflect on experiences and grow from them is truly inspiring. At GCVS, Gracelynn uplifts her peers with kindness and support, helping to create a positive and welcoming community. Outside of school, Gracelynn is a talented artist who continuously improves by sharing her work and seeking feedback. We are proud to celebrate Gracelynn and her contributions to our community!

GCVS December Student Spotlight – Janellis C. – Grade 10
Nominated by Maura Sleeth, Special Education Teacher

Janellis is a 10th grade student who participates actively in her classes and works hard on her assignments. She is very welcoming to all, making new students feel part of the GCVS community, reaching out to them, and inviting them into social spaces. She is friendly and respectful to all, and is always willing to speak up. Janellis is a loving big sister to her brother, loves music, and making new friends. Janellis is a model citizen and an asset to GCVS!

GCVS Student Spotlight – Arwen S. – Grade 12
Nominated by Shannon Beauregard, Curriculum Alignment Coordinator Grades 6–12 and Andrew Evans, High School English Teacher

Arwen is a 12th-grade student at GCVS who approaches each day with a smile and a positive attitude. Her kindness shines through in her friendships; she is a supportive sister, encouraging classmate, and an inspiration to those around her. She is an incredibly hard working and astute student who continually faces and completes difficult tasks. She will go on to accomplish wonderful things after high school. Arwen’s dedication and uplifting spirit truly make her stand out!

Student Spotlight – Misael S. – Grade 11
Nominated by Karina Tuting, HS Physical Education and Health

Misa has demonstrated an exceptional ability to create a sense of community within the classroom and student lounge by fostering connections with each of his peers, valuing their thoughts and including everyone in the conversation. He is always ready to participate in class discussions, contributing valuable insights that inspire engagement throughout the entire class. On top of all of this, Misa maintains a consistently positive attitude that uplifts the class environment and encourages a culture of positivity and collaboration. Outside of school, Misa shows great enthusiasm and commitment to his Taekwondo practice. He approaches training with passion and hard work, always striving to improve. This dedication not only enhances his physical skills but also fosters qualities like discipline and perseverance. He is a shining example of dedication, kindness, and enthusiasm within our school community!

GCVS Student Spotlight – Jojo S. – 12th Grade Leominster
Nominated by Karina Tuting, Health and Physical Education, Grades 9-12

Jojo is truly exceptional! She brings a positive approach to learning and readily embraces challenges to foster personal growth. She goes above and beyond to spread kindness among her peers, actively engages in class discussions, and collaborates with others to ensure collective success. She consistently invests the effort to reach her highest potential. Jojo’s cheerful demeanor and can-do spirit inspire both her teachers and classmates!

GCVS Student Spotlight – Cee-Cee D-T – 12th Grade Milford
Nominated by Brittany French, School Counselor, Grades 9–12

Cee-Cee is hard-working, kind, diligent, and a joy to work with! She consistently puts her best effort into her coursework and her volunteer work, serving as an ambassador for the Children of Kilimanjaro Orphanage and as an animal rights advocate. Cee-Cee is currently completing the requirements to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. For the project, she is creating a documentary and a physical memorial that will honor the wildlife conservation work of television actress Amanda Blake. Cee-Cee is also passionate about theater, specifically Old West re-enactments. She will be graduating this year and plans to study entrepreneurship and theater in college. Cee-Cee is a great representative of our GCVS community, taking action to make the world a better place!

GCVS Student Spotlight – Angel R. – 12th Grade Holyoke
Nominated by Karina Tuting, Physical Education Teacher

Angel is a hard-working and creative student, who demonstrates kindness, empathy, and community in our class on a regular basis. Throughout the years, he has shown tremendous growth. It is evident that he dedicates equal amounts of energy, passion, and commitment to all of the activities that he engages in. Angel is an outstanding individual and we are lucky to have him as part of our GCVS family!

GCVS Student Spotlight – Aryanna B. – 10th Grade Woburn
Nominated by Karina Tuting, Health/Wellness Teacher K-12

Aryanna is a burst of positivity! She comes to class each day with a smile and a compliment for her peers. She’s a natural leader and helps to keep the engagement level up during live lessons. She’s always willing to put herself out there and is up for any challenge. We always look forward to her sense of humor which puts a smile on all of our faces for the rest
of the day.

GCVS Student Spotlight – Elijah M. – 9th Grade Sunderland
Nominated by Sue Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator

Eli is a wonderful person! He’s a dedicated student who takes pride in his work and holds himself to high standards. He pushes to reach his fullest potential. He advocates for himself to ensure that he has the supports that are needed for his success. Eli is a great friend to his peers. He’s easy to get along with and always happy to make new friends. His great sense of humor makes each day brighter!