News from the Hill

Class of 2021 sends 3 students to U.S. service academies

As a combat veteran, the mental radar for Head of School Brian Easler pings whenever a member of the graduating class elects to pursue a future in the military.

Mr. Easler’s radar pinged multiple times with the Class of 2021, which sent three graduates to two of the country’s service academies.

Gio Biondo ’21 and Nathan Gould ’21 were accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., while Miles Fortune ’21 earned a spot at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. All three reported during the summer.

“As a military veteran, I could not be more proud of Miles, Giovanni and Nate for earning admission to two of our nation’s service academies: Kings Point and West Point,” Mr. Easler beamed. “They are outstanding academic institutions, and I have the deepest respect for service to our country. I look forward to following their careers, and to hearing about their accomplishments.

“Having students earn admission to a service academy is always a big deal for us, but three in one class—that’s a first in my 20-plus years at WMA.”

FROM TOP: Gio Biondo ’21, Nathan Gould ’21 and Miles Fortune ’21.

Jack Perenick ’21 excels at U.S. Senate Youth Program

In essence, in the realm of U.S. government at the high school level, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Jack Perenick ’21 made his state’s all-star team.

Jack was selected as one of just two representatives in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to attend the Washington, D.C. based, U.S. Senate Youth Program, which was held virtually for eight hours a day for six days in March.

A finalist for the position last year, Jack earned one of the coveted two spots after he submitted a résumé, took a test and was interviewed by an employee at the state’s Department of Education. As a recipient, Jack earned a $10,000 scholarship.

“The highlight was being able to meet one-on-one with Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey and discuss some of the policies and upcoming government events that were really occupying the news at the time,” Jack said. “To actually be able to talk to someone who was dealing with these things and making decisions about them on the national stage live and in real time … it was almost like I was talking back with the news and interacting with some of the events that were going on.”

The group was presented the opportunity to speak to an astronaut during a live broadcast at the International Space Station during the program.

Perseverance lands Model UN awards at 3 events

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s history of international relations reaches back more than a century.

During a school year handcu ed by COVID-19, not even a world crisis could stop one of the Academy’s richest traditions.

Led by Jack Perenick ’21, the student-run Wilbraham & Monson Academy International Relations Association earned awards at all three events it attended.

After receiving honors at online competitions hosted by Yale University and Georgetown University, WMAIRA capped its season by winning a pair of awards at the Cornell Model United Nations Conference in April.

“This year the WMAIRA delegation was recognized at all three conferences we attended and took home a (recent) record number of awards for WMA,” Jack said. “As president of WMAIRA this year, it was incredible to see all of our delegates engage with issues of massive importance and precedence in the world today during our weekly meetings and at all of the conferences we attended. I am so thankful to advisor Mr. (Michael) Dziura for helping us get through this challenging year with Model UN and even improve our performance at each conference.”

Jack won an honorable mention award representing U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, at the 2021 Democratic National Convention, and Madeleine Soukup’s ’22 performance as a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Asha for Education landed her an honorable mention certificate as well.

“My committee’s goal was to restructure and support the nonprofit committee Asha, supporting education for children in India,” Madeleine explained. “To be recognized among hundreds of other outstanding delegates feels amazing and very rewarding. This committee has also o ered me further insight into potential career paths. The concept of being a lawyer for nonprofit committees has greatly intrigued me since serving on this committee.”

Jack Perenick ’21, left, and Madeleine Soukup ’22

FROM LEFT: Jiseong Choi ’23, Isabella Voarino ’22, Kylie Kane ’21, Jack Perenick ’21, advisor Michael Dziura, Michelle Itkin ’22, Madeleine Soukup ’22 and Chimdinma Muoguilim ’22.

FROM LEFT: Nick Morin ’21, Jeremy Dubois ’21 and Leo Miller ’22 in the Mark R. Shenkman Trading Center. Nick Morin ’21

Jeremy Dubois ’21 Leo Miller ’22

Titan trio excels in Stock Market Challenge

Buy or sell?

Wilbraham & Monson Academy did plenty of both at a virtual trading competition for high school students, with one of the Academy’s teams advancing to the highest level of simulated investing in the country.

The trio of Nick Morin ’21, Jeremy Dubois ’21 and Leo Miller ’22 placed second at the local Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge, qualifying the group for the national competition.

WMA also had teams finish fourth, fifth and 10th. The annual event taught students the ins and outs of investing and trading. The competition was 60 minutes, with each minute representing one day of trading at the New York Stock Exchange.

“I was thrilled with the results from all four teams,” advisor Jim Irzyk said. “The energy and excitement in the room the day of the competition was “game day” like.

“Students learn and feel what it is like to be a day trader. While we do not teach day trading as a foundational investment strategy in our Center for Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance, students thoroughly enjoy the excitement and competitive nature of the event.” Science Olympiad wins 2 awards at state event

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Science Olympiad team put in the extra e ort this year, and the group was quickly rewarded.

Competing 11 days after its season had concluded, WMA landed a pair of awards at the state tournament, which was held virtually in March.

Cole Salvador ’22 and Zihan “Angela” Tian ’22 earned a gold medal on the medical exam, while Cole and Domenic Falcone ’24 placed sixth on the geology test. Dr. John Strauss served as WMA’s advisor.

More than 50 schools from Massachusetts took part in the three-day event, which included tests on 18 topics.

Participants used a software operated by the National Science Olympiad that allowed them to take a virtual multi-person exam, communicating through a chat box.

“It was pretty exciting to have the chance to go to the states this year because it’s the first time I’ve been able to go,” Cole said. “My ninth and 10th grade year we didn’t get a chance to go. Being able to do well in an event was exciting to me.”

“Winning was a surprise, mainly because I did not even think we would get ranked,” Angela added. “But I had a really smart teammate, and we answered every question and reviewed them three times after we finished.”

Angela said competing in two virtual invitationals helped prepare her for the state competition.

“I participated in both invitational competitions, and I realized the competition was di erent than what I thought it was going to be. I realized what I had to review and what to expect.”

Cole Salvador ’22, left, and Zihan “Angela” Tian ’22

FROM LEFT: Michelle Itkin ’22, Faculty member Don Kelly and Arielle Chechile ’24.

Michelle Itkin ’22, Arielle Chechile ’24 strike gold on National Latin Exam

Two Wilbraham & Monson Academy students took the National Latin Exam, and two students finished with gold medals.

Make that, II gold medals.

Michelle Itkin ’22 and Arielle Chechile ’24 finished at the highest level among the students who took the 2021 Latin exam in February. Michelle tested her skills on the Advanced Latin Prose Exam, while Arielle tackled the Intermediate Latin Exam.

Both students had Mr. Don Kelly as their Latin teacher.

“I’m really proud to have won a Gold Medal on the exam this year,” Michelle said. “I’ve improved every year since I was a freshman, and with Mr. Kelly’s guidance I’ve finally made it here.

“Latin is one of my favorite classes at WMA because of how niche a topic it is: not everyone can say that they can translate the original texts of famous Roman poems and speeches by emperors, all while criticizing the faults of the authors themselves. It’s a whole new way to look at that era of history.”

Arielle said Latin is an: “underappreciated language and class. It forms the basis of so many modern languages, so that even if it is a dead language it is still vital to learn.” 5 WMA students receive national attention for French Exam scores

Wilbraham & Monson Academy étudiants aiment le français, and for those who need help, WMA students love French.

Seventeen students from the Academy received awards for their performance on the 2021 National French Exam (Le Grand Concours), including five who garnered national attention.

Jada Lee ’22 placed first in the Western Massachusetts region and finished sixth nationally. Jack Perenick ’21, Karin Yamaoka ’21, Sofia Hurtado Rodriguez ’21 and Emma Landry ’25 all placed in the top 13 at the national level.

“I think they did an amazing job,” World Languages Chair Fabienne Dubois said. “Twelve out of 15 students in levels three and up were recognized. That’s 80 percent. Students earned gold, silver and bronze medals.”

Below are students who received awards on Le Grand Concours:

LEVEL 5 (HIGHEST LEVEL)

Bronze Medal: Jack Perenick ’21 (chapter rank: 2, national rank: 11), Karin Yamaoka ’21 (chapter rank: 3, national rank: 12) Honorable Mention: Ian Brook ’21, Tendo Kalule ’21, Genna Miccoli ’22

LEVEL 4

Silver Medal: Sofia Hurtado Rodriguez ’21 (chapter rank: 3, national rank: 13) Honorable Mention: Cole Salvador ’22, Yuzuki Yamaoka ’23

LEVEL 3

Gold Medal: Jada Lee (chapter rank: 1, national rank 6) Honorable Mention: Tiana Gao ’22, Quang “David” Nguyen ’22, Brady Gouin ’23, Gabriel Mujica ’23, Callie Dunbar ’24, Sally Geoghegan ’24

LEVEL 2

Silver Medal: Emma Landry ’25 (chapter rank: 3, national rank 11)

Some of the WMA students who received awards for their performance on the National French Exam.