Admin

2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

BHS Announces 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Posted on 05/13/2021

Berlin High School Names Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Berlin High School is pleased to announce that Makayla Gorski has been named the Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Michael Bryant has been named the Class of 2021 Salutatorian.

From advanced and honors to AP and UConn ECE courses, Makayla has challenged herself academically since entering Berlin High School and has earned numerous academic awards, including being selected as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student. In addition to rigorous academics, Makayla has been actively involved in multiple activities both at school and in the community including captain of the high school volleyball team, vice president of the National Honor Society, and president of the student council. She is musically inclined, participating in the high school’s marching band, vocal ensembles, and earning leading roles in musical theatre productions. Makayla is a peer tutor, president of the Writing Center, and a house leader in the Upbeat peer leadership program, and a member of the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. After graduation she plans to attend Duke University where she is considering studying biology with a concentration in genetics and a certificate in journalism. She is interested in the professions of genetic counseling and science journalism.

Michael Bryant exemplifies teamwork, commitment, and dedication not only to his academics but also his extracurricular activities. He has earned many academic awards during his tenure at Berlin High School and has taken advantage of extensive AP course offerings resulting in selection as an AP Scholar with Distinction. Prior to entering junior year Michael was one of only 19 students accepted into the Williams College Math Camp, a rigorous residential camp for mathematically gifted high school students. Michael has been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, the Upbeat peer leadership program, and president of Math Club. He has been a three-season peer partner in the school’s Unified Sports program, being selected as runner up in the CIAC Unified Sports essay contest and receiving the 2021 Unified Sports Mike Savage Teammate Award. As a dedicated member of Berlin’s FIRST Robotics team since seventh grade, Michael has served as a middle school robotics mentor and was selected as team co-captain his senior year. He is a two-time FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Semifinalist and was among 24 New England students to reach this regional level. Michael plans to continue his involvement with FIRST Robotics as a mentor while in college and beyond. He will be attending Duke University in the fall to pursue a double major in electrical engineering and computer science with a goal of someday working in the robotics industry.