Meet Taunton High School's Top 10 graduates of 2023

TAUNTON —  The following students were named to the Top 10 of Taunton High School's class of 2023.

1. Mia Blennau, Valedictorian, daughter of Carolyn and Matthew Blennau, is an exceptional student who completed two dual enrollment courses and ten Advanced Placement classes, earning the College Board’s AP Scholar with Honor Award and National African American Recognition Award. She graduates from Taunton High School summa cum laude and received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award for Academic Excellence. Mia was a finalist at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and earned Second Place at the Massachusetts Science Fair and First Place at the Regional Science Fair. She is a recipient of the Sanofi-Genzyme Corporation Distinguished Achievement Award and is a cancer researcher in the Young Empowered Scientists for Continued Research Engagement (CURE) program at Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Center. Mia was the Class of 2023 Vice President, Founder and President of NextGen Med Club, Editor of THS of School Yearbook, and Public Relations Coordinator for the National Honor Society. Mia intends to study Health and Human Biology at Brown University’s competitive Program in Liberal Medical Education, which includes guaranteed early acceptance to Brown's Alpert Medical School.

2. Jack Pawlowski, Salutatorian, son of Dr. Elizabeth and Nathan Pawlowski, is a distinguished student who completed nine Advanced Placement classes and earned the AP Scholar Award. Jack graduated from Taunton High School summa cum laude and was awarded the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award of Academic Excellence. Jack achieved Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam and won 3rd Place in the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, as well as the James W. Pelletier Award for Outstanding Senior Project at the MASS Region III Science Fair. A varsity cross country and track athlete and team captain, Jack received the Hockomock League Scholar-Athlete Award.  Throughout his high school career, Jack has led his classmates in a range of extracurriculars, as President of the National Honor Society, Co-President of the Latin Club, and Marching Band Drum Major. Jack’s commitment to community service is evident in his work as President of Key Club and Lt. Governor of the New England and Bermuda District Key Club and as a founding member of the Tigers Together Mentoring Program. Jack will be attending Providence College in the fall, where he intends to study Political Science.

3. Dakota Costa, daughter of Helena Camarao and Christopher Costa, is a superior student who ranks third in the THS Class of 2023. Dakota completed an impressive eight Advanced Placement courses, achieved the AP Scholar with Honor Award, and graduated summa cum laude. She earned Honorable Mention on the National Portuguese Exam. A member of the National Honor Society executive board, Dakota has held several leadership positions at Taunton High School, including Vice President of the Portuguese Club, Treasurer of Key Club,  and Treasurer of the Class of 2023. She is also a member of the Feminism Club and in her senior year joined the Spring Track team, throwing javelin and shotput with great success. A first-generation college student, Dakota will attend Amherst College in the fall, where she will double-major in Economics and Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies.

4. Conal Scully, son of Elisa and Dr. Christopher Scully, is a remarkably well-rounded student who ranks fourth in the Class of 2023 and graduated summa cum laude. Conal completed three dual enrollment classes and nine Advanced Placement courses, earning the College Board’s AP Scholar with Distinction Award. He also achieved Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam as an eighth grader. An accomplished student-athlete in indoor track, outdoor track, and soccer, he is a Hockomock League Champion, Hockomock League All-Star, and a Taunton Daily Gazette, Boston Globe, and Boston Herald All-Scholastic as well as an MIAA Student Ambassador. He holds the school record in the 600m for indoor track and was co-captain of the boys’ soccer team. Off the field, Conal was Co-President of the Latin Club, an Executive Board member of the Drama Club, and a member of the National Honor Society. Conal plays guitar and writes music and poetry, and wants to “thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement in all my pursuits, and for understanding me; my teachers and mentors, for going the extra mile to bring more meaning to my education and growth; and my friends, for giving me inspiration, laughter, and for showing me the greatest depths of joy the world has to offer.” Conal was awarded a Chancellor’s Scholarship to attend the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he plans to study Philosophy and Economics.

5. Bjorn Ormseth, son of Jennifer and Svein Ormseth, is an excellent student who ranks fifth in the graduating class.  A summa cum laude graduate, he completed four Advanced Placement courses as well as numerous electives in computer science, cybersecurity, and programming. Bjorn is a member of the Programming Club and will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall, where he will major in Computer Science.

6. Natalie Ferriera, daughter of Traci and Michael Ferriera, is a remarkable student who graduated summa cum laude and is ranked sixth in the Class of 2023.  Natalie completed six Advanced Placement courses and is a member of the National Honor Society. Natalie was heavily involved in the THS Band program, as a member of the Symphonic Band, Clarinet Choir, Band Council, and as a Middle School Band Mentor. She was also a member of Key Club and the Math Team. In the fall, Natalie will attend Stonehill College, where she intends to major in Elementary Education.         

7. Liliann McDonough, daughter of Rebecca and Sean McDonough, is ranked seventh in the graduating class and earned summa cum laude honors.  A remarkable student, Liliann completed eight Advanced Placement courses and is a member of the National Honor Society. She earned Honorable Mention at the THS Science Fair and serves on the Board of Directors for the NextGen Med Club. She is also an active member of the Latin Club and Key Club and plays travel softball as a member of the New England Shockwave. Liliann will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall, where she will study Animal Science.

8. Leah Roberts, daughter of Gina and Michael Robert, is ranked eighth in the Class of 2023 and graduated summa cum laude.  A distinguished student, Leah completed eight Advanced Placement classes and earned the College Board’s AP Scholar with Honor Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society and President of the Portuguese Club. A devoted Band student, she is a member of the Band Council, where she is in charge of Social Media. She has also volunteered for community service through her membership in Key Club. In the fall, Leah will study Marketing at Salve Regina University.

9. Victoria Hart, daughter of Jennifer and John Hart, is ranked ninth in the Class of 2023 and graduated summa cum laude. Secretary of the National Honor Society and of Key Club, Victoria has focused her high school extracurriculars on music, dance, and service, excelling in all three. President of the Band Council, she is also a member of the flute choir and a flute mentor. She has danced at Spotlight Dance Studio for twelve years and has worked as an assistant teacher for seven years. Victoria earned the Pope Pius X Award and has served as a Religious Education Teacher at Holy Family Parish for four years. Victoria will attend Boston College in the fall, where she plans to study Nursing.

10. Audrey Ferriera, daughter of Traci and Michael Ferriera, is ranked tenth in the Class of 2023 and graduated summa cum laude.  She completed six Advanced Placement courses and is a member of the National Honor Society.  A musician and dancer, Audrey is a member of the Symphonic Band and Band Council and serves as the Double Reed Choir Coordinator and a Middle School Band Mentor. She has danced for more than 14 years, four of them competitively. She is also a member of the Math Team and Key Club, volunteering many hours in the Taunton Public Schools.  Audrey plans to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in the fall, where she will study Architecture.