BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School is pleased to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2018. Maxwell Williams of Pittsford, son of Susan and Richard Williams, is this year’s valedictorian. Gabriela Poalino, daughter of Toni and Michael Poalino of Pittsford, is the salutatorian.
Williams is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the Principal’s List throughout his high school career, during which time he immersed himself in the most rigorous courses that Otter Valley offers, including a long list of Advanced Placement classes. Another achievement for Williams was a score of five on his Advanced Placement Biology exam.
Williams has been on the varsity soccer team during all four years of high school. During the other seasons, he has been part of the theater productions since his first year in Otter Valley. Outside of school, he has helped coach young soccer players since he was in third grade. He also helped his father coach his younger brother’s basketball team. Williams will continue his education at the University of Miami.
Poalino has been a Principal’s List student throughout her high school career. Many of her classes have been honors or Advanced Placement level classes, as well as Dual Enrollment through Castleton University. During her high school years she has earned seven academic excellence awards. During her junior year she was inducted into the National Honor Society. Other honors include the Yale Book Award, the Sage Colleges scholarship and the Society of Women Engineers Merit of Honor Award.
Poalino has been a three-sport athlete throughout her high school years, playing soccer, basketball and softball. She was captain of the soccer team when in grades 11 and 12, as well as, team captain for basketball and softball her senior year. She received twelve varsity letters and a variety of awards including MVL 1st team, Addison County All-Star and MVP. She was also the State Winner of the 2018 Wendy’s Heisman Award for Vermont. Outside of sports she has been her class Vice President in grades 10, 11 and 12, as well as Student Council President in grade 12. She has been a member of the Otter Valley Athletic Leadership Council since her junior year. Poalino plans to continue her education at Purdue University.