Baldwin names its Top Ten students of 2010

1. Michelle Evans — Valedictorian

Michelle is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society, TRI-M Honor Society, and the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She is also the recipient of the Brown University Book Award.

Michelle plays violin for Chamber Orchestra and Silver Strings and achieved Level 5 and 6 Gold for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). Additionally, she has been a member of the dance team for Sports Night and Intramural Night.

She is active in the St. Christopher’s Parish Youth Ministry, Book Club and Key Club. Michelle participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum last summer and the senior internship program this year to gain greater knowledge about the field of medicine.

Says Michelle, “Playing in Chamber Orchestra and Silver Strings has taught me about leadership and cooperation and has given me many great opportunities to explore the world through music.”

She will be attending Brown University in the fall.


2. Taryn Teurfs — Salutatorian

Taryn is an AP Scholar and a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and National Thespian Society.

She is a member of Key Club, Drama Club, Leadership Club, Golden Wave, Youth for Political Awareness, Model Congress, and Star Club and has participated in Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, String Quartet, Sweet Adelines, and Soon to Be Discovered. She has participated in NYSSMA for both voice and violin and was selected as a principal in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

Her Baldwin High School performances include Into the Woods, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Moon over Buffalo, Switching Principals, Footloose, and Our Town. She has also acted in commercials and community theater companies.

Says Taryn, “My love of performance was fostered by Concert Choir, Chamber Orchestra, community theater drama, and the leading roles in the musicals Into the Woods and The Producers, which gave me the opportunity to shine as well as develop confidence, work ethic, and relationships among my peers.”

She will be attending Hofstra University in the fall.

3. Shellee Wong

Shellee is an AP Scholar and a member of National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. Shellee is President of the Class of 2010, the Lieutenant Governor of Division 7 Key Club, Secretary of National Honor Society, and Distinguished Key Clubber Committee Chair.

She has attended the Key Club International Convention and New York State District Key Club Leadership Training Conference and received the New York District Distinguished Key Clubber Award. Shellee has also participated in Leadership Council and Mathletes.

Her extensive community service includes Children’s Miracle Network, Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, and Ronald McDonald House.

Says Shellee, “I’ve learned as a leader of multiple organizations to let my passions lead me where [they] may in life.”

She will be attending the University of Delaware in the fall.

4. Gretchen Sandberg

Gretchen is an AP Scholar, President of the National Honor Society, and member of Tri-M Music Honor Society. She was selected as a violinist for the All-State String Orchestra and a soloist for the Long Island Composers’ Alliance Student Showcase.
Gretchen received the Distinguished Performance Award, Director’s National Award, Marie Stewart Award, and Dartmouth Book Award. She is President and Concert Mistress for the Chamber Orchestra, Concert Mistress of the Silver Strings Ensemble and Pit Orchestra, Co-President of the Christian Youth Fellowship, Newsletter Editor of Key Club, and Treasurer for the Golden Wave.