L to R: Ms. Christine Faressa, Ms. Karen Hosking, Ms. Krista Palomba, Ms. Cathie Rinaldi, Dr. Janet Parlato, Ms. Torri DeStefano, Ms. Olivia Eshoo, Ms. Emalyn Osborne, Ms. Nicole Cote, Dr. Villanueva, Ms. Elizabeth Lawton, Mr. Jason Malgutti, Ms. Laura Parks (virtual).
On Monday, January 24, 2022 the Watertown Board of Education recognized four WHS students for their accomplishments, dedication and hard work as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists and a National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist.
Ms. Olivia Eshoo was named a 2021 Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Olivia Eshoo is one of 16,000 National Merit Semifinalists nationwide, selected from a pool of over 1,500,000 students. National Merit Semifinalists represent less than one percent of high school seniors throughout the country. At Watertown High School, Olivia is a member of the girls’ soccer, indoor track, and outdoor track teams; a member of Link Crew, stage crew, and band; and she has been elected to the Tri-M, World Language, and National Honor Societies. She is the daughter of Sarah and Robert Eshoo of Watertown.
Ms. Torri DiStefano was named a 2021 recipient of a Letter of Commendation in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Torri DiStefano is one of 34,000 students across the country to receive a Letter of Commendation based upon her score on the 2021 PSAT. At Watertown High School, Torri has been a four-year member and captain of the girls’ soccer, indoor, and outdoor track teams; a class officer and member of Student Council since sophomore year; a member of the National and World Language Honor Societies, and a participant in Link Crew and the Interact Club. She is the daughter of Karin and Joseph DiStefano of Watertown.
Ms. Emalyn Osborne is this year’s Connecticut state winner in the Voice of Democracy speech
contest for high school students, which is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year’s
speech topic was, “America: Where Do We Go from Here?” Ms. Osborne represented Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 7330 and Auxiliary from Oakville, and her speech now enters the national
competition against students from the rest of the United States. Along with her talents as a
speechwriter, Ms. Osborne is involved in a wide variety of activities at Watertown High School,
including captain of the tennis team; president of the Leo Club; president of the World Language
Honor Society; a senior class officer; secretary of the National Honor Society; Link Crew; Best
Buddies; Interact Club; Model United Nations Club; and a member of the cast of WHS spring
musicals. Ms. Osborne is the daughter of Kristy and William Osborne of Watertown.
Ms. Laura Parks was named a 2021 recipient of a Letter of Commendation in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Laura Parks is one of 34,000 students across the country to receive a Letter of Commendation based upon her score on the 2021 PSAT. At Watertown High School, Laura maintains a challenging course load of honors and Advanced Placement classes, consistently places on the honor roll each marking period, and this year, she is participating in the spring musical, Mamma Mia, as well as the Chess Club. She is the daughter of Sarah Finlayson and Michael Parks.