Tolland High School's Top Scholars Headed to Brandeis, UConn

TOLLAND, CT - Tolland High School has announced the Class of 2016 valedictorian and salutatorian.

The Class of 2016 valedictorian is Victoria Richardson.

"Victoria has clearly distinguished herself as a very conscientious student and a lifelong learner," school officials said. "She is highly committed to the demands of a heavy workload, having excelled in many rigorous courses, including honors coursework in English, math, science, social studies as well as early college experience in UConn biology, chemistry, and physics courses.

In her senior year alone, Victoria took advanced placement courses in calculus, English, and European history.

She has earned academic excellence awards in honors world history, UConn biology, honors English 2, honors United States history, honors pre-calculus, AP calculus, honors English 4, and the Senior Award in Science.

"The most unique thing about Victoria is her willingness to help her peers in and out of the classroom," THS Principal Dominique Fox said. "Often in classes, particularly those that are of a higher level, students are encouraged to seek peer support in problem solving prior to seeking the instructor’s assistance. This collaboration is paramount to students’ level of success. This young lady goes above the level of collaboration expected and is the first to offer her assistance to other students who may be struggling.

"Victoria is selfless in her acquisition of knowledge, never acting simply to maintain her weighted grade point average. She is able to help her peers with difficult concepts but does so in a way that is both practical and non-condescending. Our faculty members and her peers highly respect her."

Victoria has been a varsity member of the Tolland High School girls soccer team. Victoria has competed in the National Premier Soccer League.

She has served as a referee for both regular season and state tournament games at the youth level.

She has been a member of the THS girls track team for two years and was a state qualifier in two events - shot put and discus.

Victoria has participated in various community service opportunities as well.

Next fall, Victoria will major in either biochemistry or neuroscience at Brandeis University.

She also plans on playing goalkeeper for Brandeis.

The salutatorian is Luke Anderson.

"Luke is an extremely bright young man who displays a strong desire to absorb new concepts and ideas," school officials said. "He is a very serious student who has challenged himself academically and consistently earned exceptional grades in the most rigorous classes that Tolland High School has to offer, including primarily honors, advanced placement and UConn level courses.

During his four years at THS, he has earned numerous awards, including the Rensselaer Polytechnic Medal for Math and Science and academic excellence awards in drafting I, Spanish II, and honors algebra 2, and the Senior Award in Mathematics and Social Studies.

Beyond the classroom, he has been a four-year member of our football and outdoor track teams and he has participated in Tolland’s recreational basketball program as well.

Luke He has volunteered his time at the United Congregational Church, teaching weekly religious education classes and serving food at a homeless shelter in Hartford.

He will attend the University of Connecticut next fall, majoring in nutritional sciences.

His future plans also include attending graduate school.