Newton residents graduate from The Rivers School in Weston

WESTON, MA—Eight Newton residents were among 93 students to graduate from The Rivers School in Weston on Friday, June 10.

Matthew S. Appelbaum, a high honors student, was an active member of the school’s Debate Team and participated in the school’s summer immersion program in Spain last year. He played varsity golf for four years, serving as team captain this year, and received the 2016 Charles R. Metchear III Award and the 2015 Coaches’ Award for his efforts. He also was a long-standing member of the Red Key tour guide group. The son of Mitchel and Meryl Appelbaum, Matt will attend Indiana University at Bloomington in the fall.

Lucas M. Florence, a high honors student, was president of the school’s Entrepreneur Club and instrumental in bringing a number of speakers to campus. He served as a teaching assistant in the Math Department and launched two small companies in his free time. He also was a member of the varsity tennis team for four years. The son of Mark and Pamela Florence, Lucas will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall.

Yelim “Olivia” Kim was a talented musician who played violin in the Upper School Orchestra, as well as the prestigious Boston Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra, where she is in the concertmaster rotation. A high honors student, she has also played in the New England Conservatory orchestra and with numerous chamber groups. The daughter of Ki Young Kim and Monica Lee, Olivia will attend Northwestern University in the fall.

Jacob S. Levin co-captained the Debate Team which successfully participated in several local and national meets. A high honors student, he also was a Red Key tour guide, and leader in the Entrepreneur Club. A sports enthusiast, he was a member of the varsity golf team for two years, and outside of school was a counselor-in-training at Camp Netop in Casco, Maine. The son of Renee Levin and Matthew Levin, both of Newton, Jake will attend University of Michigan in the fall.

Jack F. Marsjanik from Waban was a high honor roll student and three-sport varsity athlete. He contributed to the varsity baseball, soccer, and cross country teams, captaining the baseball team his senior year. He received the Andrew N. Navoni Baseball Award at the Varsity Awards evening on June 9. The son of Donald and Renne Marsjanik, Jack will attend Oberlin College in the fall.

Courtney Drucker of Chestnut Hill was a high honors student, a peer tutor in the middle school, and an award-winning artist, garnering both Gold and Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards. She was a Red Key tour guide, and an active member of Rivers Givers, the school’s youth philanthropy program. Outside of school, she also volunteered at The Second Step, a shelter for women who have been victims of domestic violence. An avid tennis player, she captained the JV tennis team for two years. The daughter of Billy and Amy Drucker, Courtney will attend University of Michigan in the fall.

Natalie Schoen of Chestnut Hill was elected to the Cum Laude Society at Prize Day on June 9. A high honor roll student, she was a member of Rivers Givers, a member of the Debate and Baking clubs, a Middle School writing tutor, and a Red Key tour guide. In 2012, she earned a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art Awards in printmaking and went on to earn a National Gold Medal. Natalie was chosen by her peers to give the address at the Senior Banquet on June 9. The daughter of Scott Schoen and Nancy Adams of Chestnut Hill and Laurie Schoen of Weston, Natalie will attend Yale University in the fall.

Alana Willsey of Chestnut Hill was a high honors student who served as teaching assistant in the Math Department, was a Red Key tour guide, and spent a summer working with children in Costa Rica. During the past two summers, she interned with the U.S. Marshals Service where she was trained in suspect apprehension and with Boston Forensic Associates where she worked with forensic psychologists to conduct neuropsychological testing and evaluations of criminals with mental illness. The daughter of Lance and Pam Willsey, Alana will attend Boston College in the fall.