Naugy High Honors Top Students [Photos]

They were described as leaders, motivators, overachievers. Many of them not only inspire other students, but also their teachers.

They are the students in the top 5 percent of their respective classes - sophomores, juniors and seniors - at Naugatuck High School. And on Thursday, they were rewarded for their imense efforts in attaining tremendous grades.

"The world seems so focused on what is wrong with young people. An event like this reminds us of all that is right with young people today," Principal Jan Saam told students, teachers, administrators and parents during the ceremony in the school's auditorium Thursday afternoon.

The Outstanding Scholars Program, which is funded through a generous gift from Naugatuck Savings Bank, gives jackets and letters to those in the top 5 percent in the first year that they are in that prestigious categorty. Every subsequent year, they receive lapels for their jackets. Seniors choose one of their favorite and/or most inspirational teachers or coaches to speak about them.

"It’s not by accident that these ladies and gentlemen are here today," Saam said. "They are a testament to what can be done when you are determined and perservere. I know that being in the top 5 percent is accomplished by making choices, choices that often mean doing homework instead of hanging out with friends, or studying for that AP test while the others are playing video games or going to the mall. But I think they would all agree, there are no regrets."

The following is a list of the students who were honored Thursday:

Class of 2013:

Brittany Carr

Sarah Chandler

Amy Franzis

Felicia Gullotta 

Ajay Guntupalli 

Lewis Hassenfeldt 

Zachary Hodoba 

Klaus Jaramillo

Nina Kosciuszek

Joyce Lima 

Michael Martins

Siddhant Shah 

Alexis Simmons

Taylor Trammell

Austin Wagner

Class of 2014:

Kaitlyn Barry

Adam Branco

Ashley Burkman

Yun Chao Chen

Yun Chao Chen 

John Dean

Jussonjah Duby

Rachel Fox

Katarina Gullotta

Edesiri Igbuya 

Hannah Kim

Merideth Magee

Jake Morrissey 

Nyerovwo Okifo

William Zavodjancik

Class of 2015:

Chloe Bevan

Michael Cocchiola 

Sandra Dinis

Danielle D'Oliveira 

Emily Griffin 

Mikayla Healy 

Eni Katrini

Kara Klimaszewski

Sarah Lyons

Jennifer Martins

Brianna Prentice 

Genevieve Rimkoski 

Alexandra Schaefer

Daniel Schumacher

Toni Smith

Christopher Yacavone