Berlin High School Valedictorian: Meghan Snyder

Meghan’s teachers describe her as an independent thinker who elevates discussions, connects ideas across disciplines, and inspires those around her. She has an ability to lead with empathy and humility, and she brings people together through understanding, fairness, and respect.

She participates in several activities inside and outside of school including BHS Madrigal Singers, theater both at the school and through Meriden Youth Theater, and the BHS chorus. Meghan is also a member of the National Honor and Rho Kappa National Social Studies honor societies. She was heavily involved with the Mock Trial team, competing as a varsity member during sophomore year and then advising the B team during her junior year. She is super involved in Upbeat, having been a Junior House Leader last year and currently serving as one of the Coordinators.

Meghan’s resilience is truly inspiring. After the passing of her mother in 2021, she met
unimaginable loss with courage and grace. Rather than allowing grief to define her, she chose to honor her mother’s memory through her strength, empathy, and determination. Her ability to persevere while excelling academically and supporting others reveals a depth of character that is extraordinary.

Meghan is employed at Illiano's in Meriden as well as New Britain Parks and Rec where she lifeguards, teaches swim lessons, and this summer will be the Assistant Pool Manager. Meghan enjoys volunteering with Franklin and Hanover elementary schools in Meriden, working on their school musicals and helping with blocking and choreography.

Meghan’s advice to underclassmen is to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Try the things you might be interested in at least once; maybe you love it, maybe you hate it, but when else will you be surrounded by chances to learn more about yourself? It is up to you to find your own meaning within the world, to create your own path.

Meghan’s favorite high school subject is AP/UConn Chemistry; she finds most areas of science very interesting, especially chemistry. Even though the course was challenging, it was rewarding to have learned so much thanks to Mr. Wilkosz.

She will attend the UConn School of Nursing in the fall, with plans to pursue a Master’s degree to work as a Nurse Practitioner. Meghan would like to work in pediatrics, specializing in oncology; she has a passion for working with children and can't wait to help them!

In summary, Meghan Snyder is an exceptional young woman whose intelligence, resilience, and kindness set her apart. She exemplifies integrity, empathy, and purpose in everything she does. Congratulations, Meghan, on earning the ultimate academic accolade of Class of 2026 Valedictorian!

Berlin High School Salutatorian: Nina Welch

Nina is a remarkable young woman whose intelligence, leadership, and ambition
have left an indelible impression on our school community. Her accolades are well-deserved recognitions of her hard work and achievements; however, what truly sets Nina apart is her humility and genuine desire to make a positive impact in the world.

Nina is a natural leader with a compassionate heart. Inspired by the experiences of her mother, a teacher in New Britain, she is challenging educational inequity. Seeing how her mother’s students struggle due to lack of funding, Nina founded Literacy for Life, a nonprofit focused on promoting literacy in schools. Since founding, Literacy for Life has donated over 35,000 books to more than 15 schools in New Britain, Hartford, and New Haven. Additionally, Nina runs a book club at Northend Elementary School in New Britain to foster a safe community and love of reading.

Nina has worked on the BHS anti-malarial independent study in collaboration with UConn to harvest photo-reactive chemicals from plants. She founded the Science Tutoring Center to provide students with access to one-on-one help for all science curriculum. Last summer, Nina participated in an internship with the Rouge Research Group at UConn to shadow and assist on the synthesis of nanocapsules to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids.

As captain of the BHS varsity swim team, Nina has earned All-Conference recognition twice. She is a member of the BHS Redcoat band, jazz band, Model UN, and has been inducted into the National Honor and Rho Kappa National Social Studies honor societies. Nina works as a swim instructor and lifeguard for the Meriden YMCA.

Nina’s advice for BHS students is to look at everything in the big picture. In high school, every little thing seems consequential and world-ending: A poor grade, classroom drama, a big exam coming up. But as a senior, she no longer remembers what grade she earned on the Great Gatsby essay or biology final, but she will remember the people she met and the memories she made.

Her advice is to roll with the punches and try to soak up each and every moment. The journey will get you to where you are supposed to be, so enjoy it while you can.

Nina’s favorite subject in high school is by far chemistry. She took Advanced Chemistry as a freshman, and at first found it difficult. However, as the year progressed and with the help of Mr. Wilkosz she grew to love the subject so much so that during junior year she took AP/UConn Chemistry. These classes inspired her to study Chemical Engineering in the Honors program next year at UConn. She would like to add a double major in Management and then earn an MBA in engineering management, with a future career balancing her love of science and engineering with her newfound passion for business, discovered while running Literacy for Life.

Nina embodies the true spirit of leadership, inspiring and influencing others and serving as an outstanding role model throughout our school community. Congratulations, Nina, on earning the rank of salutatorian of the Class of 2026!