Tolland High School Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian

TOLLAND, CT — The top two students in the Tolland High School Class of 2019 were announced Tuesday.

Here they are, courtesy of the school:

Class Valedictorian, Kalina Bonofiglio

Kalina is an extremely bright individual who is an academically gifted student whose
achievements distinguish her among others in the class. Since her sophomore year, she has
enrolled in four challenging Early College Experience courses through the University of
Connecticut, seven Advanced Placement classes in English, mathematics, and science, and
Honors level courses in her remaining core classes. She has won numerous awards for earning
the highest average in Spanish 2, Russian History, Honors English I, Honors Algebra II,
UConn ECE Biology, and UConn Chemistry.

Kalina balances a demanding curriculum with involvement in several extracurricular activities,
as well as service to her school and local community. Outside the classroom, Kalina is an avid
writer. She published her first book, The Rise of the Octangle in eighth grade, her second book,
The Secrets of the Lost Kingdom, in tenth grade, and is currently working on her third book.
In her other area of interest, robotics, she has participated on Tolland’s team for the past four
years and has also served as judge and referee for multiple FIRST Robotics Lego League
Tournaments.

In addition, she was an ambassador at the District Championships in Boston,
Massachusetts and Kalina earned the prestigious Dean’s List Award for First Robotics which is
based on demonstrated leadership and commitment, overall individual contribution, technical
expertise and passion, entrepreneurship and creativity, and ability to motivate and lead fellow
team members. She has also trained as a gymnast for over fourteen years at Wininger’s
Gymnastics in Manchester.

Kalina is an outstanding young lady who is driven to succeed and motivated to learn. She plans
to major in Robotics and minor in Mechanical Engineering at the Worcester Polytechnic
Institute.

Class Salutatorian, Gavin Rublewski

Tolland High School values the qualities of integrity, perseverance, and respect and endeavors to
develop these characteristics in all our students. While Gavin is a remarkable example of all of
these, he also shines in school as a true intellectual, an athlete, and a friend to all in our school
community.

He describes himself as a goal-oriented person. Gavin is a very diligent, self-motivated and
personable young man. His academic achievements distinguish him among others in the class.
Earning high honors all sixteen quarters while at Tolland High School. Gavin has completed a
very competitive curriculum, specifically five different advanced placement courses in
mathematics, English, and science. He has also taken early college experience courses in
UConn Biology and UConn Chemistry.

Gavin was recognized with several awards of excellence in various academic areas including Honors Geometry, Honors Advanced PreCalculus, Honors United States History, Sports and Entertainment Marketing.

For his work in mathematics and science, he earned the prestigious Rensselaer Medal Award.
As a junior, he was inducted into the Tolland High School’s Mark Twain Chapter of the National
Honor Society. Gavin has also served as a Peer Mentor the past two years. As a student-athlete,
he competed each of 12 seasons during his four years at THS in soccer, basketball, and boys
outdoor track. At the beginning of May, he was recognized by the Connecticut Interscholastic
Athletic Conference as one of two Scholar-Athletes. Others see his leadership skills given he has
served as captain of several athletic teams while at THS.

In the community, Gavin has volunteered at the Eagle Soccer Camp, refereed at the 3v3 Youth
Soccer Tournament, assisted at middle school track meets, participated in the Project Graduation
Bottle Drives, and worked with other parishioners at various church service projects.
Gavin is a fine young man who is enthusiastic about pursuing a degree in Mathematics,
specifically Actuarial Science at the University of Connecticut.