
From left: Sophomores Ella Kerchner, Tia Nielsen, Mariah Olcheski, Molishka Heriveaux, Jordan Vann and Pilar Forrest. PHOTO BY TRESA NIELSEN
“These are the cream of the crop of Lely High School,” said National Honor Society advisor, Professor Brian Milner as he welcomed the attendees to the annual Lely High School Top 100 Dinner at the Marco Island Hilton on May 26. Sponsored by the Lely High School National Honor Society (NHS), the event honors the top 25 academic achievers in each class.
NHS President Diana Alas said, “The National Honor Society enjoys celebrating the successes of the brightest students at Lely and believes they truly deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments. Students can enjoy seeing the fruits of their efforts while celebrating alongside families and friends.” The NHS began raising funds

Marco Island resident Sherry Johnson with daughter Ashley.
Lely High School Principal Ryan Nemeth encouraged the students by saying “Put forth your best efforts in all you do in your future.” Assistant Principal of Curriculum Ellen Keegan said, “It is remarkable to work with such bright and focused students.”
The theme of the evening was “The Keys to Success” – the keys of scholarship, service, character and leadership. NHS parliamentarian, Connor Fitzgerald described scholarship as “the quest for personal growth and success.” NHS Secretary Zachary Usser said “Service enables students to unlock their true potential,” while NHS Treasurer Jessica Ricciardelli added “We shouldn’t forget the little things such

Marco Island resident Susan Schiller with daughter Kathryn.
“Humility defines the character of a true leader,” remarked NHS Vice-President Salomon Herrera Montes De Oca, who will attend Tufts University in the fall. President Diana Alas told the crowd “True leadership doesn’t mean being perfect. True leaders own up to their mistakes,” as she cited the importance of working together as a team.
Alas, who is looking forward to attending the University of Florida next year, spoke of her years at Lely High School. “When I started school at Lely, I was painfully shy and timid, but as the years have passed I have

NHS Vice-President Salomon Herrera Montes De Oca will be attending Tufts University.
Guest speaker, Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, executive director of the Secondary School Program, Collier County Public Schools, was introduced by her daughter, NHS Treasurer Jessica Ricciardelli. Dr Ricciardelli cautioned the students that “big offices and fancy cars can be fabulous benefits of achieving success, but at the end of the day, there has to be more.” She added “To the parents here tonight, the greatest success you have is sitting right next to you.” Ricciardelli

Zachary Ussery, NHS secretary. PHOTOS BY MAUREEN CHODABA
All 100 students were called forward and honored individually. Seniors were presented a special scholarship gift. A short bio was read about each student, describing his or her extracurricular and volunteer activities. These young athletes, musicians, artists, photographers and scholars also demonstrate a dedication to humanity by volunteering at NCH, Camp Mackle, Habitat for Humanity, Teen Court, the Collier County Public Libraries, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, their own individual churches, and many other charitable and non-profit organizations.
Lely High School NHS parliamentarian, Aliana Kellerhouse, who will

Aliana Kellerhouse, NHS parliamentarian, will attend the University of Floridain the fall.
The dinner was held in honor of these outstanding students. But I know that I speak for each and everyone who attended when I say that the honor was truly ours. One could not help but feel that we were in the presence of greatness. The evening was a look at the future. And indeed, the future looks very bright, as these remarkable young adults will forge a world filled with

NHS parliamentarian and Lely senior, Connor Fitzgerald, plans on attending Florida Gulf Coast University.
Lely High School’s Top 100 Scholars
Freshmen:
Juan Acosta
Francisco Antunez
Isabel Cruz
Alberto De Leon
Daviel Diaz Pajon
Bailey Dunstan
Saruthna Fleury
Jairo Garciga
Annastacia Granville
Kiley Hartman
Savannah Hoolihan
Madison Hopkins
Scott Martin
Lia Okenkova
Mark Oliger
Laura Poelstra
Mia Popoli
Sophie Sawyer
Josephine Torres
Yamileth Trejo
James Ussery
Ethan Van Boven
Ryan Witthoff
Melisa Yeseren
Monica Zillinger
Sophomores:
Esperanza Berduo-Castillo
Nicole Brotzman
Alejandro Castaneda
Roger Delgado
Pilar Forrest
Hector Gomez
Ethan Hartman
Nolan Hartz
Molishka Heriveaux
Betsabe Hernandez
Isabel Jancsok
Ella Kerchner
Laci Lusco
Daniel Nguyen
Tia Nielsen
Mariah Olcheski
Leyna Pinero
Alberto Reategui
Santiago Ruiz
Claudia Tariche-Fortes
Jane Townsend
Norma Urrutia
Jordan Vann
Curtis Wise
Patricia Zepeda
Juniors:
Stephanie Alvarez
Ellen Angersbach
Bethstyline Chery
Emma Crawford
Cristina Cruz-Aguilar
Mathew Estrada
Robert Garcia
Tatiana Gorospe
Bailey Greaves
Ashton Greusel
Michael Grossi
Erick Joseph
Patrick Joseph
Elizabeth Lopez-Lopez
Watson Marcelin
Robert Maxwell
Marissa Mengelkoch
Katherine Moss
Michaela Pinter
Maura Poling
Ester Ricardo
Sara Saintil
Charmine Sylvestre
Zuleima Toro
Sophia Torres
Seniors:
Diana Alas
Hunter Angersbach
Tristan Ashby
Diana Becerril
Brandy Cordes
Brian Diaz
Connor Fitzgerald
Andrew Fordon
Tatia Ghviniashvili
Salomon Herrera Montes
de Oca
Jonathon Irigoyen
Ashley Johnson
Aliana Kellerhouse Griffin
Marisa Muratore
Leslie Nunez
Vanessa Palacios
Bensey Pierre Louis
Thomas Popoli
Leslie Ramirez
Jessica Ricciardelli
Kathryn Schiller
Camila Simonelli
Zachary Ussery
Vayda Wasem
Kaitlyn Ziegelmaier
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