Academy of Finance Awards Presented

district Academy of Finance Valedictorian Melissa George discussed how invaluable her experience in this program has been at the group's awards dinner on Monday at the .

George mentioned that she felt that some of her Academy classes helped to inform and shape her more than her core curriculum. Some other speakers also mentioned how well-prepared these students seem to be for the workforce.

  remarked on how accomplished these students are.

"It amazes me that they're so involved academically," he said.

The Academy's Program Manager Christine Teetz noted that this group of graduates is unique because several of them are looking to go into business-related fields. 

"Congratulations to the seniors and best of luck in college," Teetz said. 

The 2011 graduates of the Academy are: Ricardo Roy Castor, Jeana Chotowicky, Stefanie Costas, Myrlande Demosthene, Kerry Ann Donohue, Michelle George, Emily Innvar, Nimmy Ann James, Jennifer Khalilullah, Audrey Lew, Camy Liang, Refikcan Mert, Anjali Nair, Aswathy Nair, Danielle Savarese, Kaylyn Schieferstein, Greghory-Claude Simeon, Mollie Stein, Reena Varughese, James Walker-Scott and Kenneth Wilcox.

The Academy of Finance program is available for qualifying applicants grades nine through 12. Currently there are 120 students enrolled in the program each of which, once completed, will graduate with 24 college credits.

Safia Sattaur contributed reporting to this article.