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Roy C. Ketcham High School

99 Myers Corners Road / Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 / PH: 845.298.5100

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  3. Student Spotlight 2024-25

Student Spotlight 2024-25

A blue and red banner with the words 'STUDENT SPOTLIGHT' and the Roy C. Ketcham High School logo.

RCK STUDENT SPOTLIGHT FEATURES GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY OUR KETCHAM STUDENTS!

Congratulations to the winners of the Dutchess County Regional Science Fair: Shiven Dabhi, Amber Carpenter, Sean Lai, Emily Zhang, Isabelle Echegaray, and Grace Shrestha.

Congratulations to the RCK students who earned honors at the Dutchess County Regional Science Fair. The event was held on April 5 and hosted winners of local school district science fairs.
12th Grade
Shiven Dabhi placed 1st with Implementation of mechanical neural networks for force distribution in morphing wing structures. Shiven also earned awards from Sigma Xi, Vassar Brothers Institute, Dr. James Green Science Award, DCC President Dr. Peter Grant Jordan Science Award, Robert Verkuil Science Award, NYS Senator Robert Rolison Science Award, Clemson University Prof. June J Pilcher Science Award, and earned ISEF Trip to the International Fair. Shiven also earned the NASA Earth System Science Award and United States Air Force Award.
Emily Zhang placed 3rd with Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide as a Promoter of Thrombin Activity and Fibrinogen Clot Formation. The project also earned Emily the Sigma Xi award, Nancy O’Shea Memorial Award, and Rita Brannen Memorial Science Award. Emily also earned the Society of Women Engineers Award and the William Lang Memorial Award.
Also in the Senior division, Isabelle Echegaray (’25) earned honorable mention for ph Influence on DSSC Performance. Isabelle also earned the Society of Women Engineers Award. Amber Carpenter (’25) also earned honorable mention for Radioactivity: Detecting Radon’s Invisible Threat. Amber also received the Environmental Defense Fund Award and the Mid-Hudson Valley Gem & Mineral Society Award.
9th Grade
Grace Shrestha (’28) placed 1st in the 9th Grade division. Grace’s project, Gut Health is Wealth, also earned the Vassar Brothers Institute Award and the Allan Page Science Award.
Sean Lai (’28) earned honorable mention in the 9th Grade division with the Chaotic Dancing Pendulums project.
For more information, visit 2025 DC Science Fair Awards
Congratulations to our incredible students for their hard work and outstanding achievements!

Congratulations to the RCK students who earned honors at the Dutchess County Regional Science Fair. The event was held on April 5 and hosted winners of local school district science fairs.
12th Grade
Shiven Dabhi placed 1st with Implementation of mechanical neural networks for force distribution in morphing wing structures. Shiven also earned awards from Sigma Xi, Vassar Brothers Institute, Dr. James Green Science Award, DCC President Dr. Peter Grant Jordan Science Award, Robert Verkuil Science Award, NYS Senator Robert Rolison Science Award, Clemson University Prof. June J Pilcher Science Award, and earned ISEF Trip to the International Fair. Shiven also earned the NASA Earth System Science Award and United States Air Force Award.
Emily Zhang placed 3rd with Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide as a Promoter of Thrombin Activity and Fibrinogen Clot Formation. The project also earned Emily the Sigma Xi award, Nancy O’Shea Memorial Award, and Rita Brannen Memorial Science Award. Emily also earned the Society of Women Engineers Award and the William Lang Memorial Award.
Also in the Senior division, Isabelle Echegaray (’25) earned honorable mention for ph Influence on DSSC Performance. Isabelle also earned the Society of Women Engineers Award. Amber Carpenter (’25) also earned honorable mention for Radioactivity: Detecting Radon’s Invisible Threat. Amber also received the Environmental Defense Fund Award and the Mid-Hudson Valley Gem & Mineral Society Award.
9th Grade
Grace Shrestha (’28) placed 1st in the 9th Grade division. Grace’s project, Gut Health is Wealth, also earned the Vassar Brothers Institute Award and the Allan Page Science Award.
Sean Lai (’28) earned honorable mention in the 9th Grade division with the Chaotic Dancing Pendulums project.
For more information, visit 2025 DC Science Fair Awards
Congratulations to our incredible students for their hard work and outstanding achievements!

Congratulations to our Math Team competitors within DUSO Math league who were invited to compete at the State Competition.
--DUSO has over 400 students competing over the season from 23 schools.
ROY C KETCHAM ACCOLADES -  We had 5 students qualify for the top 32 and 2 who attended the state meet.  
The DUSO A team finished 2nd in the B Division of the Competition.
Congrats to all DUSO members, and especially Jack McCarthy and David Carbone 

A group of young people stand outside a building, holding artwork and awards.

Members of the National Art Honor Society participated in the Olympic Visual Arts Competition held in Saratoga Springs on April 1.
Andrew Maus-Delgado, Juliette Moreno, and Jack Hannagan placed first in the state in the Photography Category! Congratulations to them for their hard work and creativity and all those who participated and represented RCK at the state level for the arts!

Three young people pose for a photo, each holding a blue ribbon and a trophy. The text on the trophy reads 'Olympics of the Visual Arts 2025' and 'First Place Photography.'

A table display of framed photographs and artwork, including a mirror with a reflection of two people.

A list of winners from the RCK Science Fair, with Shiven Dabhi, Amber Carpenter, Sean Lai, Isabelle Echegaray, Emily Zhang, Ainsley Bosman, and Alexis Bali-Spence taking first place, and Aanya Shah, Angie Odeniyi, Vanessa Aboagyewaa, and Grace Shrestha taking second place.

A group of students stand on stage at the UAlbany in the High School Science Research Symposium.

A graduation announcement with a diploma, cap, and red ribbon, congratulating Emily Zhang, Valedictorian, and Sophie Zhang, Salutatorian of the class of 2025.

Congrats to Shiven Dabhi for winning 2nd place at the UAlbany Science Research Symposium for his presentation on Implementation of mechanical neural networks for force distribution in morphing wing structures. Shiven will present his research at the Wappingers Science fair and at RCK’s Science Research Symposium in June. Keep up the great work!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MATH TEAM ON A SUCCESSFUL SEASON!  Wednesday afternoon the team competed in its last regular meet of the season.  The A team got 2nd out of 10 teams.  They finish the season with many members improving over previous performances and many who were first time members.  We will have at least 1 team to qualify for Regionals in March and we will probably have 2 members qualify for the State competition in Syosset NY in April.  Thank you from Ms Siebert to all members who participated this year, your enthusiasm was greatly appreciated!  

Science Olympiad

Congratulations to the RCK Science Olympiad team who competed well against 35 other teams from the region at the Mid-Hudson Science Olympiad Competition. Shiven Dabhi worked tirelessly with his fellow officers to ensure a smooth and successful season. A special congratulations to those who placed:
 
Gold Medal: Optics (Raegan Hrouda and Ryan Kowalczyk)
Bronze Medal: Chemistry Lab  (Emily Zhang and Casey Muller) 
Bronze Medal: Geologic Mapping (Amber Carpenter and Ainsley Bosman)
Bronze Medal: Microbe Mission (Casey Muller and Angie Odeniyi)
5th Place: Tower (Shiven Dahbi and Huang)
7th Place: Tower (Ty Carpenter and Alex Arvelo)
7th Place: Helicopter (Shiven Dahbi and Ainsley Bosman) 
7th Place: Bungee Drop (Ainsley Bosman and Sophie Zhang)
7th Place: Ecology (Casey Muller and Amber Carpenter) 
7th Place: Electric Vehicle (Ainsley Bosman and Kristy Belesaca Duque

A group of people pose for a photo in a banquet hall, holding a framed portrait.

Congratulations to Jocelyn Pope for being awarded the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute Youth Honoree Scholarship through the Catharine Street Community Center. Jocelyn and her fellow nominees were honored at the Community Center’s annual MLK Breakfast.
Jocelyn excels both in and out of the classroom: she has been on the honor roll for her entire high school career, serves in a variety of clubs and organizations (including the National Honor Society and the ASL Club), and still finds time to volunteer on her own. She will pursue a Veterinary Technology degree after graduation, and her future looks so bright!
RCK Principal Dave Seipp, WCSD Superintendent Dr. Bonk, school administrators, WCSD school board members and family were all proud to join the celebration. “Jocelyn is an individual of the highest character, who truly exemplifies scholarship, leadership, and community service,” Dr. Bonk said. RCK School Counselor Jennifer Soltish echoed this admiration of Jocelyn’s work ethic and strong character. “She is a dynamic and driven individual. I am confident that she will not only thrive in her pursuit of veterinary technology, but also make meaningful contributions to the field and her community.”

Congratulations, Jocelyn!
 

Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Mount Academy Science Olympiad Invitational. The team scored 4th in Tower, 6th in Chem Lab, and 21 Overall! Way to go!

Science Olympiad had a great tournament this weekend at Columbia High School. All teams did a terrific job! A special shoutout goes to the following teams for receiving a medal: Write It, Do It - Sophie Zhang and Eleanor Huang, Tower - Shiven Dabhi and Eleanor Huang, Optics - Kristy Belesaca and Emily Zhang, and Chem Lab - Casey Muller and Emily Zhang.  

Congratulations to the teams of Arjun Murali, Juel Balaguel & Yousef Abdelhakim and Eliseo Fernandez, Ariana Zerafa & Autumn Sneed who placed 5th and 6th places respectively at the Dutchess County Debate Tournament in December. 

A blue and red poster with fireworks at the top congratulates RCK Fall Athletic Teams for earning Scholar Athlete Distinction. The poster lists the teams: Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Game Day Cheer, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Girls Tennis, Boys Volleyball, and Girls Volleyball.

A blue and red poster with fireworks at the top congratulates RCK Fall Athletic Teams for earning Scholar Athlete Distinction. The poster lists the teams: Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Game Day Cheer, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Girls Tennis, Boys Volleyball, and Girls Volleyball.

Congratulations to Freshman Eleanor Huang for winning Most Improved Delegate at this Fall's CESIMS (Columbia Educational Simulation) Model UN held at Columbia University on November 23rd.

A list of students of the week for Roy C Ketcham High School, with names listed for November 1st and 8th, 2024.

A list of students of the week, with their names and the week ending dates.

A list of students of the week from Roy C Ketcham High School, with names and dates.

National Merit Scholarship

Congratulations to National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Charlotte Williams and those named National Merit Scholarship Commended Students
Kristy Belesaca Duque, Shiven Dabhi, Nathaniel Hom, Derek Marr, Muhammad Muhammad Al-Sheabani, Emily Zhang, Sophie Zhang 
The National Merit Scholarship is an annual nationwide academic recognition program that recognizes and honors academically talented students. We congratulate these students and commend them on their hard work. Be proud of your incredible accomplishments and all you have done to achieve them! 

A group of students and teachers pose for a photo in a classroom, holding certificates.

Rck's Joey Colucci Serves at Opening of the Vietnam Traveling Wall

RCK student Joey Colucci recently led the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening ceremony of The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at Bowdoin Park. 

Joey is the Senior Patrol Leader for Scouts, BSA Troop 25, which is chartered by the Red Oaks Mill Fire Station and American Legion Post 1302. Joey and the troop assisted at the event opening and throughout the duration of the installation. The troop met at Bowdoin Park so all the scouts could participate in the historic event.

A group of Scouts stand in formation, holding flags and looking proud.

A young man in a scout uniform salutes while speaking at a podium with the Dutchess County Seal.

Congratulations to Abby Ostrander and Marcos Cordova on their selection as NYSSMA All-State students.
Abby was selected for the Symphonic Band for Alto Saxophone. Marcos was selected for the Symphony Orchestra for Double Bass.
The New York State Schools Music Association All-State ensembles are honors groups comprised of the top students from school music departments across the state. They are directed by guest conductors and perform in concerts during the annual NYSSMA Winter Conference later this year.

Four people stand in front of a blue wall with red letters, smiling for a photo.

 Mr. Seipp & Ms. Ferris congratulate NYSSMA All-State Students