Chesapeake Public Schools - Our teachers are HANDS DOWN THE BEST!

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🐻💛 TREMAYIA DOTSON is the Senior Class President at Western Branch High School. She will attend Carnegie Mellon University. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? I’m most proud of how I balanced it all and still managed to grow as an individual. Being class president, performing on stage, keeping up with schoolwork, still showing up for people around me, AND being a person who is very much type B wasn’t easy. There were plenty of late nights and MANY close calls, but I did it. I kept going, and I never lost myself in the process. ------------------------------------ What's something you're looking forward to that might surprise people? Leaving Virginia. A lot of my family and friends have lived here their whole lives and have never really experienced life outside of its borders. I’m excited to step out of that, start a new life somewhere else, and really learn more about myself, the world, what I like, and who I want to be. It’s scary, but it’s also freeing and I’m ready for it. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💜🐝🤍 ARAV PATEL is Deep Creek High School’s 2025 Salutatorian. He will attend Virginia Tech to study Industrial and Systems Engineering. ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? Mrs. Sosunova deserves a huge thank you from me. She might be retired now and enjoying life to the fullest, but her AP Calculus class is still one of my favorites. Class always felt welcoming and never too serious because of her lilting Russian accent and the way she included small "jokes" into her lessons. Every day felt worth showing up for because of her. She’ll always be one of the people who made these years feel like more than just school. ------------------------------------ Who else had the biggest impact on your experience in high school, and what would you like them to know? Without a doubt, my parents had the biggest impact on my high school years. As an only child, I didn’t have older siblings to bank on, so every step I took, they were right beside me: sometimes leading, sometimes quietly holding me up when I didn’t even know I needed it. They are truly the epitome for me. If they see this, I just want them to know that every good thing I am becoming started with them. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💚😺💛LIBBY BENTON is the Great Bridge High School’s class of 2025 Salutatorian. She will attend the University of Mary Washington to major in Biochemistry. ------------------------------------ Please share your best advice for the rising senior class. Prioritize sleep! Even if you have mountains of homework, sometimes the best option is to know when to call it quits. Getting late points taken off a well-done assignment usually results in a higher grade than a rushed and poorly done assignment that was submitted on time. ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? I would give a shout-out to our school nurses! They have always been super kind and helpful. They do so much for GBHS, and we are all fortunate to have them. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 ❤️🐻💙 NAMISH SHAH is Grassfield High School’s 2025 Salutatorian. He will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research and Economic and Financial Systems. ------------------------------------ What is the best class you took in high school and why? The best class I took in high school was AP Comparative Government with Mr. Giannotti. I learned so much about the world and was one of the most dynamic classes I’ve ever been in. ----------------------------------- What's something you're looking forward to that might surprise people? I’m looking forward to sledding down the streets of Atlanta. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🐻💛 COLE BUTLER is Western Branch High School’s 2025 Valedictorian. He will attend Virginia Tech to study ocean engineering. ------------------------------------ Please share your best advice for the rising senior class. Take your setbacks in stride and keep moving forward. ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? Mr. Yowell, for being an amazing Latin teacher who always went the extra mile to help us succeed. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 ❤️🐻💙 ESHANI PATEL is Grassfield High School's 2025 Salutatorian. She will attend the University of Virginia. ------------------------------------ What's something you're looking forward to that might surprise people? I did karate for years, but had to quit because of an injury. I’m looking forward to either joining a martial arts class in Charlottesville, but if I’m not cleared for that, then the list of things I want to do includes the following: - Learn how to properly change a tire (but not just in theory) - Acquire a baby goat or lamb - Officiate a wedding! - Paraglide without an instructor - Remodel a decommissioned postal truck and turn it into a coffee truck. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? Aside from academic accomplishments, I’d have to say that I’m most proud of my volunteer service hours, which totaled to over 500 after my four years in high school. Honorable mentions to: - My performance at this year’s senior banquet, where I threw myself off a chair, backwards, for a skit. - Finally getting the courage to talk to and become close with the baristas at Pale Horse Coffee, where I wrote nearly every college essay and completed the majority of my homework. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 🩵🪽🩶 CHARLOTTE PETCHEL is Hickory High School’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian. She will attend the University of Virginia to study law. ------------------------------------ Tell us about a moment in your time in high school that you will never forget. In our 5A regional playoff field hockey game, I scored the winning goal in overtime my senior year. Since it was a golden goal, the game immediately ended. I’ll never forget my team running to me to make a dog pile and advancing to the next round. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? I am proud of being captain and MVP of my school’s soccer, basketball, and field hockey teams. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🪶🩵 OLIVIA OCASIO is the SCA President at Indian River High School. She will attend Old Dominion University to study biology. ------------------------------------ Please share your best advice for the rising senior class. Stay on top of your work. Falling behind only makes things harder, so keep up with assignments, manage your time, and don’t wait until the last minute. It pays off. ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? I’d like to give a shoutout to Mr. Fedorowicz for preparing me for the future. His class pushed me to think critically, stay disciplined, and take responsibility for my work. What I learned from him will stick with me well beyond high school. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 ❤️🐻💙 ETHAN CHANG is Grassfield High School’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian. He will attend Harvard University and is planning to concentrate in government and economics on a pre-law track. ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? I would shout out Mr. Steven Vutsinas, the orchestra director at Grassfield High School for his amazing program and orchestra that created the environment I needed to succeed. Being concertmaster of his chamber orchestra for three years and having his support in developing my own leadership has been one of the best experiences in my life. His influence has truly made him a second family within my schooling. ------------------------------------ Who else had the biggest impact on your experience in high school, and what would you like them to know? Some of the people who have had the biggest impacts on my success and experiences in high school are my parents, who have dedicated themselves to making sure I have the support I need to succeed. From taking me to rehearsal after rehearsal, to staying with me to review for tests and different activities, my mother was truly the patience and understanding I needed throughout my childhood. My father ensured everything I needed to do was completed on time and always made sure to check on me every night. Their sacrifice and true love for me is something I will forever cherish and something I will never forget. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Chesapeake Rotary Scholarship recipients from across our schools. These exceptional seniors have been honored for their academic achievement, leadership, service, and career readiness. 👏Thank you to the Chesapeake Rotary Club for its continued partnership and investment in our students’ futures. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding young leaders: Chesapeake Career Center: Kayla Kennedy, Nevaeh Labora Aniya Howard; Deep Creek High School: David Riddick Jr.; Grassfield High School: Montgomery Ellis Brown; Great Bridge High School: Colby Dominek; Hickory High School: Jada Belfield; Indian River High School: Lyndey Brown; Oscar Smith High School: Alex Emond; Western Branch High School: Amari Sykes!

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🪶🩵 MUNDI TABITHA KABENGELA is Indian River High School’s Senior Class President. She will attend Old Dominion University to study Cybersecurity and Communications as a Perry Honors College Scholar. ------------------------------------ How do you feel about graduating? Bittersweet— I’m ready for the new chapter but also going to miss my class dearly. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? I was very active in my extracurricular doing over 10 clubs, yet managed about 4.0 GPA. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 🩵🪽🩶 VICTORIA NEWBERRY is the Class President at Hickory High School. She will attend James Madison University to major in Management and minor in Political Science. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? I got to know people from all across the school, and established a personal connection with them that really gave me a worldly perspective on how different yet similar all our lives are. ------------------------------------ Tell us about a moment in high school that you will never forget? The roar of the Pep Rallies over the beating of the drumline’s drums will never not make my heart skip a beat. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

💜🤍Last night, Deep Creek High School recognized their Class of 2025 Science and Medicine Academy graduates during a special academy graduation ceremony! 🎓 🎖️ More than 60 seniors crossed the stage to receive their medals and certificates, with the graduating class collectively earning over $1.5 million in scholarships! Following the ceremony, graduates celebrated with friends, classmates, and family members at a reception. 👏Congratulations to our outstanding Science and Medicine Academy graduates, we can't wait to see the incredible things you'll accomplish in the future! #CPSCelebrates #Classof2025

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🐯💛 Sophia Dortch is Oscar Smith High School’s SCA President. She will attend the University of Virginia. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? One of my proudest accomplishments in high school was serving as SCA President for two consecutive years while balancing multiple responsibilities. Alongside my role as President, I served as the Historian on the state Advisory Board for the Virginia Student Councils Association (VSCA), held two jobs, participated in several clubs, and maintained a position in the top ten of my graduating class. This achievement means so much to me because I entered high school with a strong desire to grow as a leader. Being elected and trusted to lead not once, but twice, validated the hard work I put into the organization and my efforts to be a positive role model for my peers. ------------------------------------ Please share your best advice for the rising senior class. My best advice for the rising senior class is to live in the moment and enjoy it while you can! Senior year flies by so you should make as many memories as you can with your friends because before you know it you'll be graduating. So dress up for the spirit days, go to the football games, and have fun at homecoming because one day you will miss these simple things. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎉 We are excited to announce that 41 of our incredible students just received guaranteed teaching contracts at last night's school board meeting! These students participated in our Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow program through their high school or the Early Childhood Education program at Chesapeake Career Center. Once they complete their university education programs, they'll have a guaranteed spot in our school family! Congratulations to these future teachers! 🎥 Check out this video highlighting the Teachers for Tomorrow program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRCMrsK5Xi4 #CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS

🎓 Last night at the school board meeting, RRMM Architects presented a $1,000 scholarship to an outstanding student pursuing education. Congratulations to Deep Creek High School's Abigail Wiggington! 👏 As DECA chapter president and active participant in Teachers for Tomorrow, Abigail embodies the caring, creative, and patient qualities she believes make a great teacher.📚 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 🩵🪽🩶 MAIA PAULITZ is Hickory High School’s Class of 2025 Salutatorian. She will attend University Virginia to major in Computer Science. ------------------------------------ Share your best advice for the rising senior class. It's totally normal to be nervous about taking on things that you think you might not be ready for or things other people say you can't handle, but the experiences you are scared about are the ones that make you grow and learn the most. Remember, you cannot accomplish what you assume you cannot do, so step outside of your comfort zone and see how far you can go! ------------------------------------ If you could give a shout out to a member of the faculty or staff at a Chesapeake Public School, who would it be and what would you say? Shout out to Patrick Lesley! Mr. Lesley is more than just a great chemistry teacher-- he genuinely cares about his students. He is always there to offer a listening ear or some tried and true advice, and I am forever grateful for all of his help. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🐯💛 AYANNA COLEMAN is Oscar Smith High School’s Senior Class President. She will be joining the Virginia Army National Guard. ------------------------------------ Share your best advice for the rising senior class. It’s okay to procrastinate just know not to complain about a full plate when your goal was to eat. ------------------------------------ What is the best class you took in high school and why? The best class I took in high school was public speaking. This was my favorite class because the assignments were always so fun and Mrs. Amerson is the best. #Classof2025! 🎓#CPSCelebrates ------------------------------------ Share your best advice for the rising senior class. It’s okay to procrastinate just know not to complain about a full plate when your goal was to eat. ------------------------------------ What is the best class you took in high school and why? The best class I took in high school was public speaking. This was my favorite class because the assignments were always so fun and Mrs. Amerson is the best. #Classof2025! 🎓#CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💙🐯💛 AYANNA COLEMAN is Oscar Smith High School’s Senior Class President. She will be joining the Virginia Army National Guard. ------------------------------------ Share your best advice for the rising senior class. It’s okay to procrastinate just know not to complain about a full plate when your goal was to eat. ------------------------------------ What is the best class you took in high school and why? The best class I took in high school was public speaking. This was my favorite class because the assignments were always so fun and Mrs. Amerson is the best. #Classof2025! 🎓#CPSCelebrates

🎓 Senior Spotlight 🎓 💚😺💛COLBY DOMINEK is Great Bridge High School’s class of 2025 Valedictorian. He will attend Georgia Institute of Technology to study Materials Science and Engineering. ------------------------------------ What did you accomplish in high school that you are most proud of? Looking back, I'm most proud of how my perspective and mindset have evolved over the past four years. High school wasn't just a place for learning; it became a catalyst for my personal growth and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the world around me. ------------------------------------ Who had the biggest impact on your experience in high school, and what would you like them to know? Everyone I’ve met at school, including every student, teacher, mentor, and my parents, has impacted me in some way. Each person, no matter how big or small their role, has shaped my experience and helped me grow. I have learned something valuable from every interaction. I’m truly grateful for all of them because their presence has made this journey meaningful. I especially want to thank my teachers, mentors, and parents, whose guidance and dedication have profoundly shaped my growth. #Classof2025! 🎓 #CPSCelebrates