The Catskill High School Class of 2025’s highest-ranking students based on weighted grade point averages are:
Valedictorian
Noah Kubicek, son of Štěpán and Sasha Kubicek, will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall. He is a recipient of the Rensselaer Medal scholarship, and will be majoring in mechanical engineering. This year, Noah was a part of the New Visions STEM program at RPI, which he thoroughly enjoyed. At Catskill, Noah was a member of the National Honor Society where he was co-chair of the Blood Drive committee. He has had a lead role in the Symphonic and Jazz bands, in which he played the saxophone. He plans to continue playing jazz in college. Noah has been working at Catskill Bicycle Supply for two years as a bicycle mechanic. He is thankful for all the support he has received and is very excited for the future.
Salutatorian
Liam Mariani, child of Lorraine Mariani, foster child of Thomas and Holly Castillo, will be attending SUNY Cobleskill and majoring in Canine Training and Management to get a job in service dog training. While in high school, they took leadership roles in FCCLA, National Honor Society, and Acceptance Alliance. They also competed on the state and national level for FCCLA leadership conferences where they won three gold medals at states and two silver medals at nationals.
#3
Victoria Heim, daughter of Lee and Lynn Heim of Catskill, plans to attend SUNY Oneonta in the fall where she will major in English with a concentration in writing. During her high school career, Victoria participated in chorus, the musical productions of “Sister Act,” “R&H Cinderella,” and “Hairspray,” was co-president of Acceptance Alliance Club, and was vice president of National Honor Society. She was also deeply involved with her community by participating in Santa’s Helpers, the Recycling Committee, the Blood Drive Committee, Ringing Bells for the Salvation Army, helping out at Festival of the Trees, being a former member of Girl Scouts, and giving any student in need her utmost attention and kindness. Victoria has worked at Records Management for the County since 9th grade, and hopes to continue to make a difference in the world she lives in.
#4
John Breusch, son of Charles Breusch and Catskill alum Stephanie Martens, plans to attend Albany College of Pharmacy in the fall. This is where he will be a part of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Towards the end of John’s high school career he started to work part time at Walmart.
#5
Payton Frascello, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frascello of Palenville, plans to attend the SUNY Delhi next year where she will major in a Vet Tech program. While in high school Payton was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Government. She was also involved in the community when she helped out with the blood drive and Santa’s Helpers.
#6
Caleb Van Dyke, son of Lisa and Aaron Van Dyke of Catskill, plans to attend the University at Albany next year with an undecided major. During high school, he worked at Taco Bell for several months.
#7
Alora Stiles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Osterhoudt of Catskill, plans to attend SUNY New Paltz where she will major in Environmental Science and minor in Mathematics. While in high school Alora participated in chorus for all 4 years and was a theatre kid for 2 years. She was a member of Odyssey of The Mind for 2 years and placed 1st with her team twice for regionals. Alora did a lot for her community as she was a member of National Honor Society and was a chair in the Recycling Committee and a member of the Blood Drive Committee. She also was a member of Student Government and participated in Santa’s Helpers for all 4 years. She had also worked part time since the end of her sophomore year but is currently working at Burger King and plans to continue to work there as she makes her way through college.
#8
Olivia White, plans to attend Quinnipiac University next year where she will major in Biology participating in the 3+1 Molecular & Cell Biology BS/MS Honors program. While in high school, Olivia participated in FCCLA, National Honor Society, and Art Club. She was also involved in school sports, including Modified Soccer and Softball, Junior Varsity Soccer, and Varsity Soccer and Softball, becoming captain of her Varsity Soccer team and being awarded various scholarships for her passion for the sports. She wishes to keep this athleticism and leadership throughout college and beyond. She wants to make a positive impact in her community and the people around her.
#9
Leon Hong, son of Mr. Hong and Mrs. Liu of Catskill, plans to attend the University of Rhode Island where he will major in nursing. While in high school, Leon was involved in theater as a stage manager, part of the yearbook club, president of student government, as well as FCCLA serving as Co-president and at the state level, Vice President of NYS FCCLA. His family owns a local Chinese restaurant in Catskill where he worked most of his life. He has learned great skills and knowledge with his experiences and cannot wait to start his new journey at the University of Rhode Island as an honors nursing student!
#10
Raven Lynch, son of Doug and Tanya Lynch and brother of Waylon Lynch, is attending Bard College in the fall of 2025. He is majoring in written arts and is studying medieval history and indigenous studies as well. He has been in the Bard Early College Hudson Valley program since junior year. At Catskill, he was an essential member of the symphonic and jazz band, chorus, and the high school musicals “Sister Act” and “Cinderella”. Raven has been working on a novel for three years and works as a laborer for Wolcott Build over the summer.