Catskill High School’s Rachel Smith and retired English teacher Loraine Ferrara were honored at the 2019 Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA) Scholars Recognition Dinner. This annual event salutes the highest achieving Capital Region high school seniors and the teachers who inspire them.

As part of this honor, CASDA published an article on Rachel that states, “Rachel is an active member of the community. She is treasurer of the school’s yearbook club, vice president of National Honor Society, and involved in Interact. During the school year, she plays soccer and runs track. Rachel has a passion for math and won our school’s American Mathematics Competition in 11th grade. She would like to inspire other young women to enter the STEM field.”

CASDA grants each student honoree the opportunity to nominate a teacher who has had a significant influence on their education. In her CASDA write up, Rachel notes that “Ms. Ferrara was my English teacher in 10th grade. She helped me prepare for college and taught me the true value of an education.”

CASDA recognized Rachel and Ms. Ferrara alongside other student and teacher honorees from around the Capital Region at the Albany Marriott Hotel and Conference Center the evening of May 16. To see all the 2019 honorees and their write ups, please visit https://www.casdany.org/2019-scholars-winners