Katelyn Leone - Valedictorian

Abigail Ronsonet – Salutatorian

Hampton City Schools announces top students in the Class of 2021 at Hampton High School

Katelyn Leone - Valedictorian

Leone’s activities include the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Hampton Youth Commission, and serving as a volunteer at the Virginia Living Museum.

She was accepted to Virginia Tech, the College of William & Mary, and the University of Virginia. Leone will attend the University of Virginia and major in neuroscience. She also plans to attend medical school.

Fondest high school memory:
“My fondest high school memories come from playing field hockey and tennis with my friends.”

A tradition at your school you will miss:
“(I will miss) the pep rallies.”

An achievement you are most proud of:
“(I am most proud of) receiving the University Achievement Award (UAA) from the University of Virginia.”

I am proud to be an HCS graduate because:
“(I am proud to be an HCS graduate because) they have always provided me with rigorous academic programs that have prepared me for a college education.”

If you could thank a teacher who had the greatest impact on you, who would it be and why?
“I would thank Dr. Kraus for having the greatest impact on me because he has always gone above and beyond as an educator and genuinely cared for the wellbeing of all his students. I will always remember his investment in our success and future.”

Abigail Ronsonet – Salutatorian

Ronsonet’s activities include serving as president of the Rho Kappa History Honor Society, member of the National Honor Society, finance intern on the Martha Mugler Campaign for Delegate, member of the Math Honor Society, vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, founder and organizer of the International Baccalaureate CAS tutoring project, tutor, volunteer at the Salvation Army After School Program, head lifeguard at Paradise Ocean Club, member of the HHS Harmonics Choir, and volunteer for various miscellaneous organizations over the course of high school for service.

She was accepted to the University of Virginia, the College of William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Hampton University. Ronsonet plans to attend the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar and major in psychology and political science. She hopes to attend graduate school to either get a law degree or a Ph.D. in psychology.

Fondest high school memory:
“I do not have one specific memory, but the family that I have gained from the IB program is my fondest high school memory because they have been my support system throughout high school.”

A tradition at your school you will miss:
“I will miss the pep rallies and all of the school spirit that students show for the football and basketball teams. Hampton High School is very passionate about sports and the pep rallies were some of the closest moments I had with my peers.”

An achievement you are most proud of:
“Although I have not received it yet, I am incredibly proud of my work toward the IB diploma. I have spent so much time and effort on the diploma, and it seems that my hard work will pay off.”

I am proud to be an HCS graduate because:
“I worked incredibly hard for myself and to prove to everyone that had doubts about me wrong. I have learned that hard work really does pay off and HCS gave me the opportunity to prove that.”

If you could thank a teacher who had the greatest impact on you, who would it be and why?
“The two teachers that had the greatest impact on me were Christopher Kraus and Jennifer Menzel. Dr. Kraus has not only given me the tools to be successful, but has been proud of every step I have taken. He is the reason I want to study psychology. He helped me find my passion and for that, I am forever grateful. Mrs. Menzel and I have gotten closer as the years have gone by and she has made such an impact on my will to come to school and continue to work. Through the pandemic, she has been there to listen to what I needed, been very willing to help with any applications or scholarships that I needed help with, has supported my classmates and me in our learning and IB papers, and has been there for me whenever I wanted to have witty conversations. Both of these teachers have impacted my life and inspired me in my future endeavors.”