Senior Spotlight

Class of 2020

In September, the Class of 2020 pledged to "Work at all times for the good of the school, and strive to exemplify the characteristics of faith, honor, and consideration in keeping with our school's worthy traditions." Little did they know then that their commitment would be during the most challenging event in the school's 120-year history. 
 
Yet, the Class of 2020 lived up to its pledge. Even from a distance, they exemplified faith through their steadfast confidence in each other and their teachers. They demonstrated honor in fulfilling their obligation toward working for the good of the school, and they creatively sought to keep long-standing customs alive that have been passed from generations of graduates.
 
We celebrate the members of the Class of 2020, who found their voice, discovered their talents, and persevered in an unprecedented time. They will be remembered for their strength, their empathy, and their resilience.
Sean Beatty
Miami University
 
Sean is adventurous, athletic, funny and mature beyond his years. But what inspires our most pride in him is his kindness. He’s a good soul, and we are thankful for the joy he brings us.
Kelsey Ellen Breuer
University of Delaware
 
Kelsey really enjoyed her last year of Gill. She was one of the senior captains on the Gill Varsity Swim Team her final year, leading the underclassman to new records for the school. Her close friends were an important part of the year as well, supporting her schoolwork, sports, and wellbeing. Her hard work paid off when she was accepted into University of Delaware, and she is beyond excited to start this new chapter.
Gary Bossert
Lafayette College - Engineering
 
Gary attended GSB since the second grade and participated in a variety of athletics and activities including, the golf team, middle school drama, and ski club. Some of Gary’s other hobbies include playing ice hockey, being a youth assistant coach to young hockey players, and playing the drums.
Harkanwar Singh Chadha
Purdue University – Industrial Engineering
 
Harkanwar was involved with musical theatre, soccer, and fencing most of his six years at GSB. In high school, he was involved in multiple leadership programs such, as Blood Drive, Peer Leaders, Investment Club, Reading Buddies, and Admissions Host and Tour Guide.
Kerry Colford
US Military Academy at West Point – Chemical Engineering
 
Kerry was a four-year member and two-year captain of the GSB varsity softball team. She joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps as a sophomore and achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. She is very excited to continue her journey as a chemical engineering major at West Point.
Parker DeMaira
Wake Forest University – Computer Science

Parker played basketball for three years at GSB, and he served as VP of the Math League. He also enjoyed his roles as student government representative, admissions ambassador, and peer leader captain.
Jacqueline Claire DiDomenico 
Villanova University
 
Jacqueline enjoyed her years at GSB with her friends, teachers, and tennis teammates. 
Lauren Garcia
Davidson College
 
Lauren Garcia is a four-year honor student and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. She is a star athlete that plays lacrosse and was a captain on her team. Lauren will be continuing her education at Davidson College on an athletic scholarship. We are extremely proud of you!
Tori Goldin
Tufts University - Economics
 
Tori is an honor student who played varsity basketball and tennis all four years, and she was Senior Captain. She will be playing on the varsity volleyball team.
James Hersh
Rutgers University
 
James Hersh began his GSB career as a young sprout and graduates as an awesome young man with diverse talents. Not only did he participate in all aspects of school life, including cross country and tennis team, he pursued interests outside of school. James is a certified personal trainer and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Wake Forest Health and Fitness summer programs, among others.   
Ava Kavanagh Kolb
University of Notre Dame
 
Ava enjoyed every minute of her four years at Gill. She was actively involved in many clubs especially Model UN and Peer Leaders. Some of her favorite memories came from her four years on the varsity soccer team and leading the team as a captain in her senior year. 
Emma Madelyn Lipkin 
Boston University 
 
Emma is an amazing, diligent student full of school spirit and love for her friends and teachers. She has happily kept herself busy championing and participating in things of meaning to her including the theater program, middle school tutoring, blood drive committee, honor board, and peer leaders. During her time at Gill, she has grown academically, artistically, and personally. She made friendships and connections that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. As she moves on to BU, we are confident that she is well equipped to face whatever challenges or triumphs lie ahead of her. 
Tyler Lynch
Boston College
 
Tyler, a varsity tennis player, also ran varsity track during his years at Gill.  An avid skier, he also participated in the ski club, becoming the club president his senior year, and in the investment club. A fun, positive-minded person, Ty is excited for his college experience, and especially looks forward to settling into life on campus, exploring Boston and skiing the Northeast!
Zach Martini
Princeton University
 
Zach loved the GSB campus and community and will miss the time spent with friends, faculty, and his coaches. He will be a member of the mens basketball team at Princeton.
Edward Benjamin McCarthy
University of Chicago

Edward’s GSB journey began in kindergarten 13 years ago and culminated in high school, when academic efforts and achievements were enriched by memorable moments on the baseball field, captaining the hockey team, pursuing his passion for sports broadcasting, and making lifelong friendships. Edward will be starting an exciting new chapter at UChicago. Edward, your Mom and Dad love you very much and are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and the person you’ve become.
Mariana Christiane Molloy
Fordham University
 
Mariana was a High Honors student in her junior year. She is a beautiful girl inside and out.
Anna Mikula
Penn State University – Smeal School of Business - Marketing

Anna is a kind and motivated young lady.  A varsity soccer and varsity track & field athlete, she was looking forward to throwing the javelin for GSB one last time this spring. We love you and are so very proud of you!
Nick Policano
University of Tampa – Business
 
While at GSB, Nick enjoyed golf, serving as the basketball captain, and leader of the Blue Crew.
Niels Rongen
Northeastern University - Honors Program in Mechanical Engineering
 
Niels is a scholar and a team player whose leadership and innovations transcend into school and his community. A four-year varsity runner in snow, rain, or shine, for all three seasons, he was captain of cross country and track & field teams. He was four-year committed member of the first GSB Robotics Team Chaos (Co-Captain) and avid robot builder. His enthusiasm for robotics motivated him to create and implement a STEM robotics class for LifeCamp, which he has volunteered for every summer as a counselor since eighth grade. We are very proud of your dedication and hard work and wish you the best of luck as you begin your passion and studies at Northeastern University.
Emily T. Smith
Boston University – Health Sciences
 
Emily T. Smith is an honor roll student, active with the Mock Trial and Model UN teams. She serves as Co-President of the Gill for Diversity Club, and Emily is also an active member on Congressman Malinowski’s Youth Advisory Council.
Logan Elizabeth Stetz
Southern Methodist University
 
While attending GSB, Logan enjoyed participating in Model UN, serving as a Peer Leader, working several part-time jobs, and spending time with her friends. We wish Logan the best as she heads out to start her next chapter.
Evan Varma
Syracuse University - Maxwell School Majoring in Political Science

Evan is a fun loving, energetic person who always has a smile on his face. He is a member of the varsity golf team and president of Model UN.
Matt Yoss
Wake Forest University
 
Matt loved his four years at Gill which were filled with great friends, varsity basketball and all kinds of great academic and extracurricular experiences, including Unit travel to Alaska and New Orleans for community service.  He will miss his time at Gill and looks forward to getting back on campus next fall for the opening night of the basketball season - Go Knights!
Emma Heath Weil
Bucknell University – Freeman School of Management Program

Emma participated in the GSB theater program both as the stage manager, as well as on stage in many productions. She also enjoyed being part of the varsity swim team, as well as Chair of the Blood Drive Committee.
Christopher Boney
James Madison University - Business
 
As a member of the baseball team, Chris would like to thank his coaches and teammates for their lessons in perseverance and teamwork. He has so many great memories from his time at GSB that he will take to JMU as a business major.
Miranda (Mars) Sage Braemer
American University
 
Mars thrived in English and art at GSB. She is president of the GSA and loves bringing awareness to social causes. She is super excited to develop her interests and meet new people of all walks of life at college.
Morgan Champey
University of Miami - Pre-Vet
 
Morgan will continue to ride and compete with her beloved horses at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida.
Joseph Thomas de Grandpre
University of North Carolina School of the Arts - Film
 
Joe channeled his creative and exuberant spirit into the performing arts and music during high school, and he will major in film at UNCSA.  Joe will be successful at anything he puts his mind to, because of his dedication and commitment to his goals and his personal sense of discipline. But the most wonderful things about Joe are his gratitude for what he has already and his kindness toward others in the world.
Isabella Deo
Gettysburg College
 
Izzy came to Gill St. Bernard's in 10th grade, but soon became a part of the GSB community by participating in lacrosse, soccer, and numerous clubs. Izzy is looking forward to spending some time with her friends and family this summer in New Jersey, and at the beach in Rhode Island. 
Sophie Rose Dreskin
Fordham University
 
Sophie is a kind and thoughtful young woman who excelled academically, earning a place on High Honor Roll/Honor Roll every year in high school. She was a peer leader and expressed her love of music by singing in several high school choirs. Sophie loves New York City and fashion and plans to study next year at Fordham University. We couldn’t be prouder of you!
Julia Elizabeth Gateman
Bucknell University – Economics
 
Julia is a “Lifer” at GSB, starting her time at the school as a preschooler. She enjoyed so many aspects of the GSB community, but most of all, her wonderful friends and teachers. Highlights of Julia’s time in high school include playing on the tennis team, Unit trips, and helping others by participating in many community outreach programs.
Caroline Grant
Boston University
 
Caroline loved her time in high school at Gill. She was the captain of the swim team her junior and senior year and was an editor for the literary magazine.
Ellie Gustafson
Wake Forest University
 
Ellie came to GSB in fifth grade and has loved it ever since! She played golf and was the girls’ soccer team manager for two years. She was also in many clubs, such as For the Love of Animals and Middle School Tutoring. Ellie is going to miss all her amazing teachers and friends that made high school so fun!
Julia Hersh
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
 
Julia Hersh flourished at GSB, from kindergarten through high school, earning several academic and character awards along the way. She is also an artist, musician, and animal lover. Having grown up on a farm, she is president of her 4-H Goat Club, A Pony Club graduate, a gardener, a chicken nanny, and the proud owner of Hamlet Roger Bacon (a not-so-miniature) house pig. 
Drew Kramer
Fairfield University – Dolan Business School
 
In high school, Drew participated in GSB's sports (soccer, basketball, and golf) for all three seasons and all four years.
Charles I. Lewis
Northeastern University
 
Charles has been at Gill since middle school. He enjoyed playing lacrosse all four years of high school, transitioning from goalie to defense player along the way, and serving as co-captain of the team in his senior year. He also enjoyed participating in and leading the blood drive organization each year.  
Theodore Mayer Lazar
Cornell University – Computer Science & Liberal Arts
 
Teddy is an independent, generous, and creative young man who enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He participated enthusiastically in cross country, track and field, ski club, chess, and robotics at GSB as both a team captain and dedicated teammate. As an aspiring chef, he is duly proud of his homemade beef jerky. Teddy builds computers and programs in multiple languages. He plans to pursue computer science and the liberal arts in college.
Sam Lowe
University of Scranton - Kinesiology
 
Sam was an active member of athletics, captaining the soccer team, participating on the hockey team, running winter and spring track, and managing the girls’ basketball team. With her two friends Devyn Scott and Tamia Chaney, she co-founded the Black Student Union and was a constant voice against discrimination at the school. She will play on the women's soccer team in college.
Sophia Maoli
Fordham University Lincoln Center – Theater

Sophia is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and Social Committee. She participates in the GSB Concert Choir, Gilharmonics, and Knight Voices. She also appeared in the GSB Players’ productions of Meet Me in St. Louis and Pippin.
Andrew Margolis
High Point University – Business Administration
 
We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. Love you unconditionally. We are so proud.
Caitlyn M. Matthews
Skidmore College – Education and Music
 
Honor Student, Peer Leader, The Fourth Estate Newspaper, Varsity Tennis Team (Captain), Choir: Knight Voices, Gill Harmonics & Blue in the Face, For the Love of Animals Club. Caitlyn is excited to be attending Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York this fall. She plans on joining choir and an acapella group.
Rebecca Michaels
Boston College – Finance
 
Rebecca is a Lifer, and she was captain of the varsity swim team.
Luke A. Mortensen
University of Miami – Business and Finance

Luke is a four-year soccer player and a member of the Blood Drive Club, helping to run and donate blood for a number of events at GSB. He enjoyed Unit travel to Poland and Iceland. For his Eagle Scout project, Luke designed and led the building of an elevated platform with ramps, cable spools, and rock pile for the Home Winds Farm goats.
Evan Portnoi
Northfield Mount Herman
 
Evan will be doing a post-graduate year at Northfield Mount Hermon prior to beginning college, where he will likely major in engineering or computer science. During his two years at Gill, Evan was a member of the varsity basketball team, robotics team, For the Love of Animals Club, and the French Honors Society.
Devyn Scott
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Basketball Scholarship Majoring in Biology
 
Devyn is a four-year varsity basketball athlete, Co-Founder of Black Student Union, as well as a peer leader.
William Alphonso Soucie V
University of North Alabama

Will was a four-year varsity basketball player and captain.  He will continue to play the sport he loves in college. He enjoyed supporting his friends and classmates at various athletic events throughout the years. Will made lifelong friends while at Gill, and his years there will remain some of the best of his life.
Allyson Stevens
Muhlenberg College - Theater
 
Ally is passionate about performing arts and volunteering. GSB has given her wonderful opportunities to perform in choir, the Blue-in-the-Face group, spring musicals, and the talent shows.  She participated in numerous fundraisers and was Vice President of the Make-a-Wish Club.  These activities have given her wonderful mentors and life-long friends. 
Anoushka Thakur
Indiana University – Kelley School of Business - Finance
 
Anoushka has grown to become a kind and independent young lady during her time at Gill. She was an avid member of the school’s Model UN club, as well as a member of the Honor Board.
Allison Lauren Zhao
Princeton University
 
A natural scholar, Allie displays an extraordinary aptitude for math and science. In high school, she was selected to participate a prestigious Saturday program for high school students: Columbia University Science Honors Program. She has been recognized with numerous awards including AP Scholar with Distinction, Bausch and Lomb Applied Science Medal, R.I.T. Computing Medal to name a few. In addition to her academic achievements, she was a member of GSB’s varsity cross country, winter track and spring track & field teams and sings for GSB choir. She enjoys being a Peer Leader to underclassman and volunteers as an Admissions Ambassador for Gill. This fall, she will continue her academic career in the fields of physics, computer science and mathematics.
Robert Brandl
Boston College - Carroll School of Management
 
Robert was proud to serve as a member of the Honor Board and as a representative on the Student Council. He was a four-year letterman and two-year captain of the varsity swim team, setting five GSB school records in the pool. Robert received the Princeton Book Award and the John Atthowe Memorial Prize, presented to the junior boy who exemplifies the qualities of scholarship, team play, creativity, sensitivity, and caring.
Thomas Carlucci
University of Vermont – Computer Science
 
He is a great son, brother, and friend.  An Eagle Scout with a passion for snowboarding, the outdoors and computers, Thomas enjoys spending time with friends, and treasured his time at GSB. 
Tamia Chaney
Fordham University - Gabelli School of Business
 
Captain of the cheer squad, co-founder of the Black Student Union, and an active member in the community, Tamia leaves the Gill St. Bernard's campus after seven years of education. While having a rigorous school schedule and traveling across the country for dance, she never felt the need to sacrifice one for the other because she knew that determination and hard work are key factors for success in life. Although high school might not have ended the way it does in movies, Tamia will be continuing her studies in entrepreneurship at Fordham University.
Luca Del Vescovo
Northeastern University - School of Engineering 
 
Luca dove into all the opportunities given to him at Gill, from playing basketball and track to participating in Math League. The friendships he made both with those who shared his interests, and those he got to know outside of them, have strengthened throughout his four years. Luca thrived at GSB and feels more than prepared to take on the world beyond high school
Erin Devine
Muhlenberg College - Presidential Merit Scholar - Biology
 
A GSB Lifer, Erin is a quietly confident honors student and AP scholar, as well as a talented artist and pianist. Erin is also an accomplished, four-year varsity lettered equestrian who competes in national and regional events.
Nina Fracalossi 
University of Miami 
 
Nina has enjoyed the close relationships fostered through her time at GSB. In addition, the topnotch education will be helpful through college. Nina will always have fond memories of her years there. 
Caitlin Amber Hepplewhite
College of Charleston
 
Caity a sociable and bubbly Brit who has absolutely loved performing in the school’s plays and fabulous musicals. She will miss her Gill family, but she is thrilled to be heading South to warmer weather and the next exciting chapter of her life!
Maggie Catherine Kistner
Drew University – Honors College – Political Science & Environmental Studies
 
Maggie is a four-year varsity fencer and served as captain of the women’s team her senior year.  She is looking forward to studying political science and environmental studies at Drew University’s Honors College and fencing on their NCAA Division III sabre team.  
Zachary Winton Layden
Bucknell University - Freeman College of Management
 
At GSB, he served as vice president of GSA, co-leader of Gill for Diversity, and is a member of the Blood Drive Club.  He is an active and devoted volunteer for various veteran organizations. Zach’s interests include boxing, music, sneakers, and the culinary arts.
Andrew Lutz
American University – Musical Theatre
 
Andrew is an avid thespian and has held leading roles in every production at GSB during his time at the Upper School. He has also been a dedicated member of the choir and other musical groups, as well as an avid baseball player. At GSB since kindergarten, Andrew has contributed much to the GSB community. He will now take his talents to American University, where he has been accepted to the musical theater program.
Luke Mariak
University of California, Los Angeles - Mechanical Engineering
 
Luke was involved in the GSB Team Chaos #2458 Robotics Team (Mechanical Captain). Throughout his years, he greatly enjoyed the team camaraderie found in the cross country and track teams. As a senior, Luke joined the varsity swimming team, making many lasting memories. Other activities included Lead Editor of The 4th Estate - the GSB Newspaper, a GSB Peer Leader and School Tour Guide, and Co-Founder of the Community Excellence Club. Luke greatly enjoyed volunteering at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Gladstone, where he spent time and formed friendships.
Evan J. Matthews
Union College – Biomedical Engineering
 
Honor Roll Student, Peer Leader, Varsity Swim Team (Captain) Varsity Tennis Team (Captain), Ski Club, Robotics, US Book Exchange Volunteer (7 years). Evan is excited to attend Union College this fall and will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering. He plans on participating in the outdoors and ski/ snowboarding clubs at Union.  
Trevor Migliaccio
Stockton University - Business
 
Trevor was a four-year lacrosse player at GSB, earning captain honors his senior year. His experiences at GSB have prepared him for the future.
Ally Nash
Fordham University
 
Ally swam for the varsity swim team and played freshman soccer and lacrosse, and she will leave Gill with many wonderful memories and lifelong friends.
Mikayla Jean Reiger
West Virginia University – College of Agriculture – Animal Science
 
Mikayla enjoyed Gill for the friends she’s found forever, the teachers who encouraged and cared so much, and the Units that were incredible experiences. She loves animals, small and large, and working on the farm were great times! Now she’s bound for the College of Agriculture, majoring in animal science. We are so proud of our kind, funny, creative daughter!
Jacob Siegel
Hobart College

Captain of the NJ State Championship Soccer Team, Jacob will always treasure his experiences and friendships made at GSB!!!
V. Matthew Steinbaum
Northwestern University
 
V. Matthew has been at GSB for 14 years. He is president of Gill for Diversity, member of the French and Latin Honor Society, and member of Blue in the Face. He is a violinist and an opera singer.
Michael Taylor
Fordham University - Finance
 
Michael was a member of the Blue Crew and competed for the Knights on the baseball team.
Michael will continue to play baseball at the Division I level and study finance at Fordham University.
Madeleine Trezza
Washington and Lee University – Politics, Economics, and Psychology
 
Madeleine is an avid equestrian who is looking forward to competing in college. She enjoyed many of her classes at GSB, particularly Debating Social Issues.
Lexi Yates     
University of Michigan – Pre-Med     
 
A student athlete, Lexi played on the girls’ soccer and lacrosse teams all four years, scored her 100th career goal in lacrosse her junior year, and was on the fencing team in her senior year. Lexi’s interest in the medical field started while training as an EMT and volunteering as an active member of the Bernardsville Fire & Rescue Squad. She will continue in her undergraduate studies majoring in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience on the pre-med track.
Teresa Zimmer
Vassar College
 
Teresa is an all-conference and all-state goalkeeper and captain of the girls’ soccer team. She is an honors student and a part of Student Council. Teresa will continue to play soccer at Vassar.
Caroline Charity Elizabeth Zanardi
Wake Forest University
 
Caroline was a member of the girls' soccer team all four years. Her love of soccer brought her to organize a drive to distribute equipment to underserved children. She always tried to give back to the community by serving others at food banks and soup kitchens, and she was a founding member of students working with Community in Crisis. Caroline explored her creative side with photography and graphic arts through college courses in the summers and traveling to Parsons in NYC on Saturdays. She also enjoyed her literary side, especially as co-editor of GSB's Literary Magazine.

Gill St. Bernard's School

P.O. Box 604, St. Bernard's Road, Gladstone, NJ 07934  |  908-234-1611
Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a rigorous, meaningful, and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.