Robert Austin, Margaret Rock and Kilee Holmes received the top three awards at Gateway Regional High School. (Wendy Long Photo)
HUNTINGTON – Seniors Kilee Holmes, Robert Austin and Margaret Rock took Gateway’s three top awards at the senior awards ceremony at Gateway Regional High School June 5. Holmes was named Valedictorian, Austin is Salutatorian, and Rock won the Golden Achievement award, Gateway’s most prestigious honor.
Kilee A. Holmes is the daughter of Farrah Mercedes of Huntington and Justin Holmes of Huntington and is Gateway’s first graduate to be accepted at Harvard University, where she will pursue studies in chemistry/pre-med track this fall. She is the President of Gateway’s National Honor Society Chapter; a Director of Model United Nations, a member of the As Schools Match Wits team and President of the Concert Band. An avid runner and member of Gateway’s Cross Country Team, Kilee completed her first marathon last fall. She was Gateway’s delegate to massSTAR in 2017 and a Girls State Citizen in 2018. She has volunteered as a recreational soccer coach and at the Westfield Soup Kitchen. She has also organized drives and fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity, relief for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and did a used instrument drive for the Gateway music program. Kilee works in the floral department of Big Y. Holmes also took numerous awards at the assembly, including The United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, and awards for Feminists United, Excellence in Communications Internship, Academic G Award, Robert Shipman Social Studies Award, Excellence in American Government, Excellence in AP English Language & Composition, Excellence in AP Physics I and AP Physics II, Excellence in Jazz Band, and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award.
Robert A. Austin is the son of Randall A. and Madelyn F. Austin of Montgomery. He is a member of National Honor Society, As Schools Match Wits Team, Student Council (where he is Treasurer), Concert Band, Show Choir, and the Drama Club where he has performed numerous roles over his high school career. He has performed and spoken at his town’s Memorial Day services, and has taken part in several community theater productions with the Westfield Theatre Group as a performer and set builder. He enjoys writing and composing and was also recognized at the Sr. Awards Ceremony with The United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award; a ‘Command of the Stage and Emotive Portrayal of a Character’ Award; and awards for Leadership in Theater Arts, Premio Super Estrella Espanola, and Excellence in Show Choir, Concert Band and Jazz Band Awards. Austin will attend Assumption College in Worcester where he will study English and Secondary Education.
Margaret M. Rock will attend Brandeis University this fall as a Music Theater major. At Gateway, she was Chair of Model United Nations, and involved with Drama Club, Concert Band, Show Choir, National Honor Society, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and Feminists United. She has also performed in musicals with the Westfield Theatre Group and Barrington Stage Company. She was a Girls State Citizen in 2018, and volunteers with the Middlefield Benevolent Children’s Society, Middlefield Community Service Group and with the Hinsdale Grange. Rock took additional awards on Wednesday, including The United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence; a Command of the Stage and Emotive Portrayal of a Character Award; GSA and Feminists United recognition; the Honors US History II Award; Passion for Writing Award; Excellence in AP Calculus; Excellence in Show Choir; Excellence in Concert Band; and the National School Choral Award. She also received a Richard D. and Clair A. Carmel Scholarship. Rock is the daughter of Christine Bresnahan of Middlefield and Thomas Rock of Middlefield.
In announcing the awards, several faculty members gave special recognition to retiring colleagues Jeanne Garriepy (who retires this year after 51 years at Gateway) and Michael Harper.
As announced by Student Council President Meghan Crane, the highly coveted Spirit Trophy—given to the class that secures the most points in year-long spirit and service competitions—went to the freshman class after a highly competitive effort by students.
The Gateway Class of 2019 graduates on Friday, June 7 on Booster Field at 6 p.m.
