As the class of 2018 prepares to enter the college world, we would like to take a moment to celebrate some of the local remarkable seniors. Their many accomplishments include athletic triumphs, academic excellence and other extraordinary pursuits. To all the members of the Class of 2018 – graduation is not the end, it is just the beginning and we wish you the best of luck!
Sajan Gutta – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Holy Trinity’s 2018 salutatorian, Sajan Gutta has fully immersed himself in Holy Trinity’s most challenging curriculum, including 14 AP classes plus Multivariable Calculus. With an interest in pursuing business, engineering and sports management in college, Gutta also has taken classes through Florida Tech. This past summer, he was selected for the LeanGap entrepreneurship program where he worked with a team to form the startup Crescent Lamps (crescentlamps.com.) A member of Tiger Leadership, multiple honor societies and clubs, and the varsity tennis team, Gutta has been an instrumental leader within the Holy Trinity community. Holy Trinity’s director of college counseling, Alison Bell, said, “An innovator and a leader, Gutta is someone who is willing to take risks to accomplish big picture things.”
Rebecca Tucker – Merritt Island Christian School
Rebecca Tucker has attended MICS since the 2nd grade. She is a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, the headmaster’s elite Leadership Academy, the Yearbook editor-in-chief, as well as a member of the varsity cheerleading squad. She has the highest cumulative GPA in her graduating class. Tucker will pursue a degree in Entertainment Management at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Vianelli DeLeon – Odyssey Charter School
Vianelli DeLeon, Odyssey Charter Jr./Sr. High, is an Honors student in all core subjects and takes AP Literature, maintaining a 3.5 GPA. She is in chorus, band and orchestra. She’s also Praise & Worship leader at Generation Chosen Youth Ministries. She will be attending Full Sail University in the fall.
John Sayut – Viera High School
John Sayut hopes to study Biomedical Engineering and specialize in the field of biomechanics. He has been accepted at Georgia Tech, the University of Florida, Case Western Reserve University, University of Notre Dame, and the University of California – San Diego, but has not yet made a final decision about where he’ll attend college. Sayut was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and is a Principal Scholar at Viera High with a 4.0 GPA. At VHS John is active in the Thespian Club, Chorus, National English Honor Society, Debate Club and serves as a math tutor through Mu Alpha Theta. Outside of school, Sayut is a volunteer and employee at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Pritom Karmaker – Viera High School
Some of Pritom Karmaker’s major accomplishments include being a National Merit Finalist, a Principal Scholar, and an AP Scholar with Distinction. After graduation, he will be attending the University of Central Florida to major in Biomedical Sciences. He then plans to enroll in medical school to pursue the career in cardiology.
Anne Kelly – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Anne Kelly joined the Holy Trinity community as a junior after moving from Pennsylvania. Her impact in the HT community was positive and substantive from day one. She got involved in Student Government with no formal position and truly became the workhorse of the group. As a senior, she has been key to implementing HT’s new “house” system that has transformed school spirit and student involvement. A standout lacrosse player and stellar student, Kelly is respected tremendously by peers, faculty and staff. She was nominated by her fellow seniors and faculty to serve as one of HT’s four Senior Orators, and spoke at HT’s Senior Day Celebration in March. Her Anatomy Honors Instructor, Greg Chiarella, said, “Anne is a top-level student. She often served as a leader and role model to her peers for many of our activities and labs. She has a very bright future and I hope that she remains in science or medicine, as we need talented individuals like her to face the many challenges in this world.”
Bryan Wells – Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Bryan Wells is a valedictorian and an Eagle Scout. He is president of his school’s chapter of the National Forensic League and is captain of the Academic Team and Speech and Debate Team. He has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar Finalist, a Carson Scholar, and a Furman Scholar and has received a nomination from Congressman Posey to the Naval Academy, where he plans to study astronautical engineering.
Andrea Zavalla – Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Andrea Zavalla is a Summa Cum Laude Valedictorian and has served as President of NHS and Spanish NHS in addition to being a member of Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, Science NHS, and Student Council. The volleyball player has been recognized as a Rensselaer Gold Medalist and Furman Scholar. Zavalla plans to study Pre-Med at Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida in the fall.
