Avondale High School Announces Top 10 Seniors for Class of 2013

Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; 248.651.7536; cell: 586.817.8414; barbara@eafocus.com; Sue Briggs, Avondale  Schools; 248.537.6041; susan.briggs@avondale.k12.mi.us

Auburn Hills, MI --May 17, 2013-- Avondale School District, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, is pleased to announce its top ten seniors from the class of 2013.

Thomas Nowinski, son of Greg and Jill Nowinski of Rochester Hills, is this year’s valedictorian, graduating with a 4.37 GPA.  Thomas will attend the University of Michigan to study business.  He was a three-year member of the National Honor Society and spent his senior year taking math classes at Oakland University. Outside of the classroom, Thomas was captain of the varsity swim team for two years, was named an All-League and All-State swimmer and holds the school’s 100 yard breaststroke record.

Sanjay Das, son of Shelly Chowdhuri and Samarendra Das of Auburn Hills, is graduating as salutatorian with a 4.352 GPA.  Sanjay will attend the University of Michigan and plans to major in biochemistry and neuroscience.  He is currently participating in the Summer Materials and Research Training (SMaRT) program at Oakland University. Sanjay was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and was student representative for the Avondale Youth Assistance. In addition to academics, Sanjay was on the tennis team for three years and competed in Michigan Future Problem Solving on behalf of Avondale, placing first, three times.

Vaseem Khatri, son of Kishwar and Maksud Khatri of Rochester Hills, graduates third with a GPA of 4.325. He was a National Merit Finalist, which helped earn him a Merit Scholarship at Wayne State University, where he plans to study psychology and later enter medical school to pursue neurology. Vaseem was a member of the National Honor Society and the swim team, and was the 2011-2012 OAA Blue Division Champions. Vaseem volunteers at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in the Neurosciences department.

Kevin Yang, son of John and Linda Yang of Troy, graduates fourth with a GPA of 4.287.  As a recipient of the Regents and Jean Fairfax Scholarships, Kevin will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to study biomedical engineering and pre-medicine. Kevin was a four year varsity athlete in tennis and swimming, holding the position of captain in both sports his senior year; he received All-League recognition and MVP in both sports and was a member of the 200 medley relay team which holds the current school record. Kevin was also a member of the National Honor Society. Kevin is a violinist in the Civic Youth Orchestra of the Detroit Symphony and an Eagle Scout in Troop 1707.

Apoorva Gupta, son of Vipul and Smrita Gupta of Rochester Hills, graduates fifth with a GPA of 4.284.  Apoorva will attend the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. While at Avondale, Apoorva was a member of the National Honor Society, where he served as committee leader for Education, developed and managed the organization’s new website, supervised a bi-weekly high school tutoring program and tutored fellow students in the Academic Center. During Apoorva’s senior year, he took courses at Oakland  University in physics and computer science.  Apoorva was an engineering intern at ThyssenKrupp Systems Engineering in Auburn Hills and will continue this career opportunity through the summer. 

Sharjil Shamim, son of Javed and Salima Shamim of Rochester Hills, graduates sixth with a GPA of 4.211. A recipient of the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, Sharjil will attend Wayne State University, where he plans to study pre-medicine and become a diagnostic radiologist.  Sharjil was an active member of the National Honor Society. He also volunteered at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh and at the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit’s Sunday school. 

Annie Yin Zhang, daughter of Bi Yan Zheng and Xiao Min Zhang of Auburn Hills, graduates seventh with a GPA of 4.2093.  Annie will attend the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University and plans to become a Medical Technologist. While at Avondale, she was a member of the Avondale band program for six years. Annie also frequently volunteered outside of school.

Ian Raber, son of Chris and Puran Raber of Troy, graduates eighth with a GPA of 4.198.  Ian will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to major in engineering with a minor in Spanish. While at Avondale, Ian was a member of the student leadership class, the Spanish Honor Society, the National Honor Society and was on the varsity hockey team, where he received the scholar athlete award all three years he played. Ian was also the Avondale High School recipient of the Excellence in Education award through The Oakland Press.  Outside of Avondale, Ian worked at the Troy Baseball Boosters and the Tri-County Referee Association.

Erica Matero, daughter of Richard and Sandra Matero of Rochester Hills, graduates ninth with a GPA of 4.189.  Erica will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a career in nursing or physical therapy. While at Avondale, Erica was an active member of the Recycle Club, Peer Mediation, French Honors Society and Avondale Student Ministries, and was a two year captain of the girls’ varsity golf team. She was also a member of the National Art Honors Society and won awards for Best in Painting for drawing and painting, five National Scholastic Art awards and an Art Department scholarship for a second place honor in the A.P. art show.

Alexander Kavka, son of Mark and Sharon Kavka of Troy, graduates tenth with a GPA of 4.174. He will attend Michigan State University in the fall to major in accounting. While at Avondale, Alex played on the junior varsity and varsity Baseball teams, the freshman, junior varsity and varsity football teams and was a member of the swim team. Alex was also a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society.

Erik Koberstein, son of Manfred and Karin Koberstein of Troy, also graduates tenth with a GPA of 4.174 He will attend the University of Michigan and major in engineering.  While at Avondale, Erik was involved in class board, National Honor Society, Recycle Club, charity weeks and German Honors Society. Erik was also a member of the Avondale baseball and track teams as well as the soccer team, where he was named All-State and the team won the state title. In addition, Alex helped plan the Kids Against Hunger event, leading the fundraising committee to raise more than $28,000. Outside of Avondale, Erik participated in a mission trip to Haiti where he helped with Mission of Hope charitable work through orphanages and communities.

Rounding out the top 28 Avondale High School honored seniors in the Class of 2013 are the following:

• Nicole Yadon,  4.16 GPA; daughter of Bryan and Debbie Yadon of Troy
• Rachel Connell, 4.14 GPA; daughter of Jeff and Genia Connell of Rochester Hills
• Jordon Ridenour, 4.14 GPA; son  of Brad and Denise Ridenour of Troy
• Abigail Oliver, 4.13 GPA; daughter of David and Anne Oliver of Troy
• Geoffrey Williston, 4.12 GPA; son of Scott and Michelle Willston of Rochester Hills
• Elise Anderson, 4.11 GPA; daughter of Stuart and Nina Anderson of Bloomfield Hills
• Craig Marshalek, 4.11GPA; son of George and Barb Marshalek of Troy
• Baldwin Liu, 4.09 GPA; son of Frank and Cindy Liu of Rochester Hills
• Anooshay Naveed, 4.05 GPA; daughter of Ul-lslam Naveed of Auburn Hills
• Cristina Sonu, 4.05 GPA; daughter of George and Nicoleta Sonu of Rochester Hills
• Justin Nguyen, 4.03 GPA; son of Hien and Loananh Nguyen of Rochester Hills
• Julie Berg, 4.02 GPA; daughter of Dawn Berg of Auburn Hills
• Abigail Sloan, 4.01 GPA; daughter of Scott and Kimberly Perry of Rochester Hills
• Dillon Bracheau, 4.00 GPA; son of Tom and Lisa Bracheau of Auburn Hills
• Grant Sharkey, 4.00 GPA; son of Kent and Suzanne Sharkey of Troy
• Tiffany Tran, 4.00 GPA; daughter of Dung and Anh Tran of Rochester Hills
• Colleen Vincent, 4.00 GPA; daughter of Gerry and Kerry Vincent of Rochester Hills

Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.

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