'Remarkable People': Top 10 Graduates of Berkley High School Class of 2012

Before he accepted his own congratulations for a job well done, outgoing Berkley Superintendent Michael Simeck took time to celebrate the achievements of the top graduates in the Class of 2012.

“When I arrived at this district, the first thing I noticed was what remarkable students were in the district, what remarkable families they came from and how well the district knows its children,” Simeck said. “All these individuals truly are remarkable in their own way. They’re into some really cool stuff.”

As he honored each student, Simeck read from a document that high school staff members put together:

Vicky Cheung

“Intelligent, achievement-oriented, ambitious, articulate and charismatic are just a few of the adjectives that come to my mind when describing Victoria,” said Simeck. “Her academic record speaks for itself.”

Simeck said that even with taking the most challenging academic schedule the high school could offer, Chueng still manage to achieve a 4.342 GPA and earning the distinction of valedictorian of the class of 2012. As a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and BHS Symphonic Orchestra, Simeck explained Chueng developed an outstanding reputation among her peers and teachers for her work ethic.

This year Cheung received the Excellence in Language Award, Outstanding Community Service Award, Michigan Competition Scholarship and Principal’s Award.

“Simply put, Victoria is one of those exceptional young people that you rarely have the opportunity to meet in a high school setting,” said Simeck. Cheung will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall to pursue an engineering degree.

Rachel Pernick

“This student is as creative and unique as she is intellectually and academically talented,” said Simeck. “It is rare for Rachel to just be a ‘member’ of a group, as she is usually granted a leadership position or some other responsibility because her peers as well as adults who run these functions can see that she is a natural leader and very responsible young lady.”

Pernick graduated with a 4.325 GPA and participated in a variety of academic, philanthropic and artistic activities at BHS and outside of it, he said. Simeck read a description from the high school’s National Honor Society’s club sponsor Todd Fadoir, which Pernick was president of: “I have witnessed Rachel put an extraordinary amount of effort into transforming the Berkley chapter. This year the chapter has volunteered at more events, tutored more students and become a visual presence of what is good at Berkley High School, all thanks to her leadership and persuasive personality.”

Next year Simeck said Pernick will take her leadership abilities to the University of Michigan.

Laura Sachse

“Laura has an outgoing determination that does not make failure an option,” said Simeck. “Laura is driven, a force to be reckoned with and confidence radiates from her.”

Laura graduated with a 4.294 GPA and the distinction of entrepreneur after she created her own tutoring business in 10th grade will the goal of contributing to her school and community while making use of her inherent business skills, he said. Simeck also read from a letter written by BHS Principal Randy Gawell: “Laura exhibits a maturity beyond her years and, as such, an understanding of the world that cannot be fully quantified by traditional classroom assessment. She is exceptionally well prepared for the complexities of the world in her generation, both as they now exist and with what they will face in future times.”

Simeck said Laura will be taking her business experience to the University of Pennsylvania where she will be a part of the Wharton School of Business.

Ryan Levy

“Ryan is a passionate academic as well as a caring and compassionate individual who has contributed significantly to our school and community,” said Simeck.

Ryan graduated with a 4.208 GPA and a long record of involvement in school activities including the Robotics team, Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band all four of his high school years, he said. Simeck also said he was Vice President of Tri-M, President of Science National Honor Society and in the CASA Student Council.

“Like all these kids, I could go on and on about what Ryan has done and achieved in his time here,” explained Simeck. One area Simeck said Ryan excelled particularly well was Physics, which he will be majoring in at the University of Michigan next year.

Ekaterina (Katya) Rakhmatulina

“Katya is extremely intelligent, ambitious and a resilient young lady,” said Simeck. “While she looks no different from any other student in this building, her story differs greatly from that of the average student.”

Simeck explained that Katya, who graduated with a 4.261 GPA, moved to Berkley from Russia in middle school and at the time spoke no English. He said that her positive attitude enabled her to be a top student, member of the swim and track teams all four of her high school years, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, French Honor Society and Environmental Club member.

Simeck said Katya has an ambition for engineering and spent her summers learning for about it in programs like the University of Michigan’s ENGAGE camp. “So she should feel right at home when she arrives on the campus this fall to start classes,” he said.

Caroline Baron

“Caroline is an outstanding student and scholar and is very compassionate, caring and dedicated in everything that she does,” said Simeck.

Caroline graduate with a 4.210 GPA and has an equally as impressive record in her volunteer work which won her the Outstanding Community Service Award and Michigan Competitive Scholarship, he said. For a number of years, Caroline volunteer in the Friendship Circle where she worked with mentally challenged children every week and last summer traveled to Peru to help build a community center.

“Over the past four years, Caroline has blossomed and grown to new heights,” explained Simeck. “She has developed programs, led initiatives, facilitated groups and brought a spirit of diversity and service back to BHS.”

Simeck said other activities Caroline has participated in are Students Against Destructive Decisions, tutoring at her Temple and the Generation of Promise diversity program. She will attend the University of Michigan next fall.

Maddie Hopp-Storey

“Madeline is an exceptional student leader,” Simeck said. “She was recently recognized as the United States Marin Corps Scholastic Achievement award recipient for her outstanding leadership qualities and academic achievements.”

Maddie graduated with a 4.210 GPA and was a member of Student Leadership where she served two years as president, he said. She was involved in National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, as well as volunteer programs including Meals on Wheels and Summer in the City, and participated in the Generation of Promise program.

“This is also her 14th summer working as a counselor and role model for younger girls at a camp in Maine, before she begins her freshman year at Georgetown University.”

Rachel Bornstein

“Rachel is an ambitious individual that has developed outstanding rapport with her teachers and peers,” Simeck said. “Her strong personal background and articulation of ideas make her an asset to BHS.”

Rachel graduated with a 4.151 GPA and was involvement in many school activities, including National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and the high school’s DECA Chapter. She was also president of her senior class and a captain for the varsity basketball and tennis teams. Simeck also said Rachel went on a service trip to Costa Rica over the summer 2010 where she helped build bunk beds in impoverished communities and ran a children’s day camp there.

She will attend the University of Michigan next school year.

Jessica Leshman

“Responsible, friendly, a leader and a planner – these are words often used to describe Jessica,” Simeck said. “She is a young lady of many talents and BHS has benefited from her valuable contributions.”

Jessica graduated with a 4.176 GPA and served as vice president of the Student Body and in Student Leadership for three years, where she was responsible for planning many of the school events like pep rallies, dances and holiday food drives, he said.

“Many of these events would not have occurred if not for her participation in putting them together,” explained Simeck. “Her gifts for organization and planning have served her school and community well.”

Simeck said she had a long list of involvement in local organizations such as the Friendship Circle, National Council of Jewish Women and Birch Trail Camp. She also spent last summer in Peru helping out needy families there.

Leshman will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.

Danielle Rittman

Danielle could not attend the recognition ceremony Monday, but BHS staff said, “Danielle is a confident and composed young lady about whom enough good things cannot be said. Her positive attitude and maturity are a rare find in students her age.”

Danielle graduated with a 4.193 GPA and was a committed athlete until her final year of high school, according to the prepared document. She was on the volleyball, basketball track and indoor track teams until she suffered achilles tendinosis.

“At a time when many students would be dismayed over the loss of their sports participation, Danielle became fascinated with the workings of the body, the way muscles move and the way the body itself heals,” the document stated. Because of that, she plans to pursue a career in sports medicine at the University of Michigan next year.