Five Stoughton High Seniors Named Golden Knights

Continuing a tradition now in its 18th year, the faculty presented Tuesday evening to five members of this year’s graduating class, who have "demonstrated outstanding qualities of character, leadership, and service to the school community."

Larry Hixon, Alana Joseph, Keion Lugay, Kristina Kozak and Michael Silveira were this year’s recipients. They were honored on the stage of the SHS auditorium during the Class Night celebration on June 5.

"The teachers and administrators serving on this year’s Golden Knight Committee had a difficult time choosing five finalists from a list of truly outstanding nominees," Stoughton High principal Matt Colantonio said during his remarks Tuesday evening. "But we know you will agree that the Class of 2012’s Golden Knights embody some of the best qualities and represent some of the finest traditions at Stoughton High School."

All five honorees were lauded by multiple members of the faculty for their determination, maturity, high character and ability to overcome adversity, while serving as a role model for all students.

"Each year members of the staff are asked to nominate seniors who deserve recognition for their service and commitment, as well as for their exemplary personal qualities," Colantonio explained.

Christine Carr, of the Guidance Department said in Hixon's time at SHS, he has "progressed from an uncertain freshman to a confident and focused member of the student population,” someone who “has grown immensely, personally, socially, and academically.”

Hixon's hockey coach, Dan Mark, described his senior captain as  “the poster child for the road not taken."

"He could have taken the wrong road, but opted for the correct path. I have never been prouder of one of my students or athletes as I am of Lawrence Hixon,” Mark continued.

Mark Craig of the Fine Arts Department said Joseph is "a remarkable human being."

Beth Manchester of the Social Studies Department said Joseph was “a hardworking, conscientious student who brings a sense of intellectual curiosity to her work." As a student leader and president of Spectrum, Manchester credits her with contributing to "making Stoughton High School a safer and more welcoming school.”

Lugay "has taken advantage of everything Stoughton High School has to offer and has been an integral part of the fabric of the high school community,” according to Derek Small of the Special Education Department.

Jillian Goldberg of the English Department said Lugay "treats everyone with respect and steps forward when others will not...As one of the leaders in the class, he is humble, kind and independent."

Kozak is a student "who not only values but also actively seeks the
challenges in her coursework. Her personal sense of integrity is out-shadowed only by the immense dignity with which she tackles the slings and arrows of teenaged life, and both traits have been fostered through strong ties to both her community and her family,” according to Lauren Fidler of the English Department.

"Focused, hard-working, and devoted," Jennifer Kelly of the Science Department said Kozak "will never settle for anything unless she has given it her all, and tried her absolute hardest.”

Silveira, the final Golden Knight recipient this year, is described by Barbara Meyer of the Guidance Department as being a "leader and model citizen at Stoughton high School."

"He is a kind and compassionate young man and his desire to help those less fortunate sets him apart from most teenagers," Meyer said.

Dan Davey of the Fine Arts Department said Silveira is "the type of person who puts the good of the whole above himself. Michael Silveira has been an asset not only to the Music Department, but to the entire Stoughton High School community through his involvement and example."

The Golden Knight Awards have been underwritten by the Stoughton Cooperative Bank since 1997. Members of the Stoughton High faculty nominate students for this honor. Patricia Foley of the Math Department is the staff chairperson for the Golden Knight Award.

This year, each Golden Knight recipient also received a $1,500 Prone Family Foundation Scholarship.

Read the complete set of remarks (as presented at Class Night) about each recipient below.

Larry Hixon

Mrs. Melanie Ingrao, of the Social Studies Department describes the first recipient of this year’s Golden Knight Award as “a confident and driven young adult. He is truly a role model for all the young students at Stoughton High School.”

Mr. Craig, of the Fine Arts Department adds “He has transformed himself into a respectful, enthusiastic, team oriented young man, conscientious about his work and humble about his accomplishments.”

“He has progressed from an uncertain freshman to a confident and focused member of the student population.” writes Mrs. Christine Carr, of the Guidance
Department. This Golden Knight Recipient “has grown immensely, personally, socially, and academically.”

Mrs. Susan Rockwood, of the English Department also nominated this student.
“He exemplifies qualities of character, leadership, and service to the school community. He shined in the classroom as a role model for his peers and
struggling younger students.”

This Golden Knight recipient is described by his coach, Mr. Daniel Mark, as “the poster child for…”the road not taken”….He could have taken the wrong road, but opted for the correct path. I have never been prouder of one of my students or athletes as I am of Lawrence Hixon.”

Alana Joseph

The second Golden Knight Recipient is described as “a remarkable human being” by Mr. Mark Craig of the Fine Arts Department.

Mrs. Beth Manchester of the Social Studies Department also nominated this student. “A hardworking, conscientious student who brings a sense of intellectual curiosity to her work”, writes Mrs. Manchester. “A student leader and president of Spectrum, she has helped contribute to making Stoughton High School a safer and more welcoming school.”

In her nomination, Mrs. Liza Faquharson, of the World Language Department describes this Golden Knight recipient as “A tremendous person who shows outstanding character, leadership, and service to the Stoughton High School Community. She has shown diligence while working alongside youth to affect a
positive change in their lives and school environment. Eager to mentor students who have been going through tough times, she has shown a sensitivity towards other students that is hard to come by.”

“Simply put”, adds Mrs. Jaean Ruschioini, of the English Department, “Alana Joseph is one of the bravest people, not students, I know. She has become a quiet leader both in and out of the classroom and I am so proud to have been able to witness her growth.”

Keion Lugay

The third Golden Knight Award recipient “is a role model for future generations of Stoughton High School students” writes Mr. Derek Small, of the Special Education Department. “He embodies what it means to be a Stoughton High School Black Knight. He has not involved himself with one club but has taken advantage of everything Stoughton High School has to offer and has been an integral part of the fabric of the high school community.”

Mrs. Jillian Goldberg, of the English Department adds “He treats everyone with
respect and steps forward when others will not. He has a natural stage presence that really moves people. As one of the leaders in the class, he is humble, kind, and independent. I feel lucky to have had him in class this year.”

Determined, positive and funny are just a few of the words that came to mind as Mrs. Allyson Strahan, of the Special Education Department described this Golden Knight recipient. “He has overcome many obstacles to become an engaged and articulate young man involved in his school and community” adds Mrs. Strahan.

Keion Lugay with his courage and determination truly demonstrates the character of a Golden Knight.

Kristina Kozak

In a glowing recommendation, Ms. Lauren Fidler, of the English Department, nominated the forth Golden Knight Award recipient. “She established herself through keen observations, quiet leadership, and impeccable diligence. She is a student who not only values but also actively seeks the challenges in her coursework. Her personal sense of integrity is out-shadowed only by the immense dignity with which she tackles the slings and arrows of teenaged life, and both traits have been fostered through strong ties to both her community and her family.” writes Ms. Fidler “Her most impressive academic attribute remains this: when given the choice between excelling in rank or pushing herself to think more critically, analytically, and creatively about her worlds, she chooses the latter every time. And that is a quality that comes from within; one that cannot be taught.”

“During our time together, she quickly emerged as a leader”, adds Mrs. Jillian Goldberg, also of the English Department. “She had a quiet way about her that students respected.”

Mrs. Jennifer Kelly, of the Science Department also nominated this student. “She is focused, hard-working, and devoted. She will never settle for anything unless she has given it her all, and tried her absolute hardest.”

Mr. William Kellogg, of the Mathematics Department, describes this recipient as “motivated to be successful, eager to participate, willing to take chances, and receptive to constructive criticism. She is genuinely interested in and concerned for the well being of others. These qualities are what make Kristina Kozak not just a great student, but also an exceptional person.”

Michael Silveira

The final Golden Knight Recipient was nominated by five faculty members.

Mrs. Barabra Meyer, of the Guidance Department describes this recipient as “a leader and model citizen at Stoughton high School. He is a kind and compassionate young man and his desire to help those less fortunate sets him apart

Mrs. Christina Carr, also of the Guidance Department adds “He has unfiltered
generosity and concern for others. He has always been willing to assist with hanging pennants, organizing work spaces and simply by bringing his contagious smile and laugh to add sparkle to an already sunny day within the walls of Stoughton High School."

“He is a kind and caring individual, one of the most considerate students I have ever met,” writes Mrs. Stella Martin, of the English Department.

Peer Mediation Coordinator, Mrs. Terri Croghan also nominated this student. “He has served the Stoughton High School community as a peer mediator in a
significant way, taking a leadership role in the program by working to develop
school wide campaigns and activities. He is an individual who works hard
academically and takes pride in his school and community.”

“He consistently demonstrates the self-discipline and enthusiasm needed to
be successful.” adds Mr. Dan Davey, of the Fine Arts Department. “The model
character and confident leadership that he exhibits on a daily basis inspires
students to rise to elevated expectations. By saying hello, offering to help, asking about my day, or just by being positive, it’s easy to be infected by his enthusiastic sincerity. He is the type of person who puts the good of the whole above himself. Michael Silveira has been an asset not only to the Music Department, but to the entire Stoughton High School community through his involvement and example.”