Introduction: Wilton High School Assistant Principal Josh Marko
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Josh Marko, and I am the lucky person who was able to be the senior class principal this year. It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate this Class of 2025.
Yesterday, I had the chance to share with them my appreciation for their character, for the loving and caring people that they are, and today I get to praise them even more and commend them for their unprecedented levels of academic achievement. In all measures, this class performed at the highest levels in the state of Connecticut.
In fact, this Wilton High School Class of 2025 had the third highest percentage of students meeting goal in the state on the math section of the SAT, including the second-highest average score. And if that’s not impressive enough, this class finished first with the highest percentage of students meeting goal on both the EBRW — the English-based reading and writing section of the SAT — and the NGSS science test. This is an amazing accomplishment by an amazing group of people.
With a class that performs at such a high level, there are also numerous personal accolades, and this year, it is my privilege to announce that we have seven students that will be honored as valedictorians. These students completed their four years at Wilton high school with a 4.0 grade point average, meaning they received an A in every class that they took. Please help me in welcoming the following students to the stage:
Courtney Allen
Daniel Babashak
Olivia Cooper
Elle Hawthorne
Sina Patel
Caleb Sharp
Kinga Sigmond
Caleb Sharp
Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us today. It is my pleasure to introduce our first valedictorian. He is a four sport varsity athlete, cellist and gold Congressional medal recipient. He is a well-rounded leader with positions including class president, Spanish Honor Society vice president and captain of the varsity track and cross country teams. Over the past four years, he has restored a meadow and a 500 foot field stone wall on North Wilton Rd. for the New Canaan Land Trust. This fall, he intends to study economics and history at Dartmouth College. Please join me in welcoming Danny Babashak.
Danny Babashak
Thank you, Caleb.
Good afternoon, classmates, families, friends, and faculty. It is an honor to stand before you today as one of the Class of 2025 valedictorians. Let me be clear: this honor was no easy feat.
Today, we not only recognize class accomplishments, but also celebrate the insight and tools that we have acquired here. The school’s administration and faculty, the town, parents — they have invested in each of us — every day — their time, money, and efforts. I hope for every senior, that this investment in our education has been about more than just learning facts and figures, because let’s face it, generative AI already has that covered. Nearly every research paper, science lab, speech — even artwork and musical compositions — submitted to teachers this year could have been done by one AI tool or another.
What value, then, lies in what we have achieved using our community’s support?
I believe the value of a Wilton education goes far beyond the diplomas we receive
today. We might fear future technological stumbling blocks, but we are ready to face them. There will always be new technology, new ways of learning and doing things. At the core of its curriculum, Wilton High School ingrained in us the idea that we had the responsibility to take advantage of our opportunities to begin to meet those future challenges.
Thus, whether we believed it or not, through group projects, literary reflections and end-of-season practices, the Class of 2025 has been handed a set of scholastic keys to carry throughout life. What we do with these keys is entirely up to us. We can choose to set them aside, to ignore the preparatory gifts we have been given. The choice to do nothing is at least a choice that family, geography, health, and legacy have given us.
Keys, however, are meant to open doors. And while no one can predict the challenges that lie within each new door ahead, I believe our actionable keys will empower us to overcome them.
Can the output of AI tools ever truly compete with our Wilton keys, the skills and abilities we have individually developed here in four years — to act, analyze, arrange, articulate, assemble, block, build, calculate, catch, challenge, choreograph, debate, debug, defend, derive, design, direct, experiment, extrapolate, film, focus, generate, graph, harmonize, huddle, hypothesize, improvise, initiate, integrate, jump, kick, layer, lead, manage, mentor, organize, outline, paint, pass, reason, rebound, rehearse, serve, share, solve, swim, synthesize, tabulate, tackle, train, vault, win, write, vocalize, volunteer?
For me, these diverse skills we acquired here — to which I have only skimmed the
surface — reflect not just our varied interests, but the depth of our preparation for the uncertainties ahead. Wilton’s faculty taught us to think critically, to adapt, and to ask tough questions. It was not always easy, but our Wilton education has given us a stable foundation, even when the world might feel uncertain under our feet.
Classmates, we will leave the stadium today, going in different directions and at our own pace, but we all carry with us the keys we developed here for the journey ahead. No matter where life takes you after Wilton High School, always remember this: lead with integrity, act with compassion, and love with respect.
May you find strength, good health, and meaningful success, unlocking the doors to your fullest potential with every key you carry.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. Thank you.
Olivia Cooper
I’d now like to introduce our second valedictorian for the Wilton High School Class of 2025. She’s a captain and varsity athlete on the swim and dive team, as well as a member of our executive board. She is committed to the eight-year special program in medicine at the University of Connecticut, where I know she’ll thrive. I am pleased to welcome Sina Patel.
Sina Patel
Good afternoon. I’m excited to be here with you all today — excited to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, and excited for what lies ahead. But I also feel something else: gratitude for the journey we’ve taken together, and nostalgia for all that we’ll leave behind. That nostalgia comes not just from the final bell we had last month — the music, the confetti, the energy, the spirit — but really from the 12 years we’ve spent together.
We’ve grown here in so many ways — as students and as individuals. And that growth wouldn’t have been possible without the support, care and connection we’ve found in the Wilton High School community. We, the students, are at the core of this community. We’ve supported one another both in and out of the classroom. We’ve learned the value of encouragement, of showing up for each other consistently, especially when it matters most. We share a deep desire to pursue excellence as a team, whether it’s during a project in the classroom or even on the field playing Tug of War with our fifth-grade teams. Through moments like these, we’ve learned what it means to lift each other up.
To our teachers and counselors, who’ve believed in us, sometimes even more than we believed in ourselves, and who always kept their doors open — you’ve taught us to be open-minded and to step boldly beyond our comfort zones.
To our parents, who have made many sacrifices and stood by us every step of the way, you have taught us the power of never giving up when you’re pursuing what matters.
It’s only natural not to want to leave this community. Yet, as nostalgic as we feel, we should be equally optimistic about what awaits us. As we join new communities, we’ll bring with us what Wilton has helped us build: a commitment to grow, to contribute, and to form meaningful connections wherever we go.
So, as we step into what’s next, let’s do so with humility, courage, and confidence — not just because of what we’ve achieved but because of who we’ve become along the way.
Congratulations, Class of 2025! Thank you.
Courtney Allen and Elle Hawthorne
Courtney: Hello, everyone. My name is Courtney Allen, and I’m so honored to introduce our next valedictorian. She is heavily involved in music as an incredibly talented clarinetist, president of the band, and intern for the Ridgefield symphonic orchestra. In addition, she is president of the Racial Equity and Diversity club and spends time tutoring kids in math and English. In the fall, she will be going to Pomona College to study history and environmental science. And perhaps most importantly, she is unbelievably kind, funny and one of my best friends I’d like to present Elle Hawthorne.
Elle: I am unbelievably grateful to be able to be speaking with Courtney today. I am not exaggerating when I say that Courtney is one of the smartest and kindest people I know. On top of studying for her classes, Courtney has been the Key Club president, Model UN president, debate captain and tennis captain. She spends countless hours volunteering, helping girls get involved in civic leadership and working with adults with disabilities. She is an avid reader and has collected and donated over 4,000 books to schools in need. Above all, Courtney is an amazing friend. Ever since we met in middle school, she has not failed to make me smile. Next year, she will be studying government on the international relations track at Dartmouth College. I could not be more proud of her. It is my pleasure to introduce Courtney Allen
Courtney: As I thought about what to talk about today I reflected on the major milestones I’ve passed so far in my 17 years of life, most notably graduating today, and getting my driver’s license. As some of you know, the license didn’t come easy. It took me two tries to pass. After I failed my first driver’s test — for speeding of all things — I remember Elle telling me, “Courtney, you just need to slow down.” And that’s what we want to talk about today: slowing down.
Elle: To me, slowing down means taking time for simple pleasures instead of constantly careening toward the future. While we should set goals and work toward them, we should also appreciate moments that don’t directly contribute to them. As I applied to college this year, I felt frustrated with myself, wondering why I spent countless hours playing the clarinet when I knew I didn’t want to become a professional musician. Of course, the answer was simple: music is something that I love. I’ve come to see the value in our passions, regardless of whether they bring us closer to a goal. Take the time to learn to crochet, spend hours perfecting your tennis serve, get lost in a conversation. Know that this time is not wasted, because it brings you joy.
Courtney: We often view high school as an ordeal to get through — a sort of awkward stage between childhood and adulthood. But looking back, what I remember most is the fun that we had, even in the smallest moments. From getting dressed up for spirit week to making questionable APUSH raps, to simply laughing with friends at lunch, these are the times we’ll remember. So as we all head into the next chapter of our lives, I hope that we continue to pause and live in the present.
Elle: Before we finish, we would like to thank everyone who has made the small moments in our lives so beautiful. From the very beginning, our families have been there for us through princess birthday parties and late nights studying. Courtney and I are so grateful for your love, and especially your patience. We also want to thank our friends. You are our second family and we love you more than we can put into words. To our teachers and coaches: thank you. You have supported us throughout our time in Wilton and given us guidance we will carry far beyond. And to our class as a whole, thank you for helping us slow down.
Daniel Babashak
“Good afternoon everyone, I have the privilege of presenting another valedictorian to you today. She is not only a great student, but she is also a kind and compassionate member of the 2025 class who values time spent with friends. Her list of achievements is lengthy: she is an officer for the culinary and hemistry clubs, and she has community involvement with the Green Team, Key Club, Minks to Sinks, and Spanish Honors Society. This student is passionate in her pursuits and always gives her best effort in everything she does — her AP Environmental Science notebook will be worth a lot one day. I know she will work hard and follow her passions when she attends the University of Maryland, where she will major in mathematics. It is my honor to present to you Olivia Cooper.”
Olivia Cooper
Good afternoon graduates, faculty, and esteemed guests, and thank you Danny for that introduction.
To be honest, when I found out that I would be one of the seven valedictorians I was worried that I wouldn’t know what to write. I wanted to make an inspiring speech, but also one that wouldn’t immediately put you to sleep, all while keeping it under two minutes. So, I decided to talk about what I found most important to achieving success: friendship. I know that sounds really cliche, but finding my group of people was honestly what helped me keep my sanity throughout these four years.
If you know me, you know that I am very particular when it comes to school work. I like to complete assignments and take exams to the best of my ability. And sometimes if the result isn’t exactly what I imagined, I get … stressed out … to say the least. This is where my friendships came into play. I’m not only talking about my classmates, I’m talking about my teachers that I have grown close to and my family as well. I consider all of these people to be my friends, and ones that support me no matter what.
Thus, I come to explain to you the most important takeaway from high school that will benefit you through life. Find your friends, and keep them close. The best solution to any problem is to talk it out, maybe at times yell it out, but just have someone that can help you see your worth. You should find people that can help you understand that grades don’t define you, you’re capable of anything you put your mind to, and to remind you that you have a life outside of school!
As we transition to our new lives, this is something very important to keep in mind. I know that going to a new environment, which for most of us is college, can be very scary because we have to leave all of these friends behind. But I want to let you know that there is at least one person out there that you can connect with. Someone out there that understands you and knows how to help. And knowing the people in this Class of 2025, I am confident that you’re capable of showing off your many charms and making relationships that will last a lifetime. As Dr. Seuss says, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
My biggest hope for the class of 2025 is that you all go into the world embracing your differences and find people that help you become the best versions of yourselves.
Kinga Sigmond and Caleb Sharp
Caleb: I’d like to introduce our next valedictorian, whom I can describe in no better terms than a true renaissance woman. She’s involved in sports, participating in both track and archery. She’s active in the arts, having been a member of orchestra for all four years, and she draws some amazing sketches. Academically, she’s among the top students of her class, having been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA while having an incredibly rigorous course load. She’s an award-winning member of our science olympiad club as well, where she serves as treasurer. She is truly one of the most intelligent, outgoing and inspiring people I’ve ever met. Yet, amazingly, she’s still so humble and I’m lucky to have known her these past four years. This year, she’ll be joining the UConn Honors Program, where she’ll be majoring in computer science engineering. Please join me in welcoming Kinga Sigmund,
Kinga: Hey, everyone, it is my honor to introduce our last valedictorian, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for the past four years and can only describe as our contemporary polymath. Whether you’re looking for a brilliant cellist from Juilliard, a science olympiad president to generously tackle the event that no one wanted — (side note, it was entomology, the study of bugs) — a person to help you with just about any impossible math problem or English essay, or simply a partner in crime, boy, do I have a recommendation for you. Despite his best efforts to avoid such a fate, he has become one of my best friends and one of the kindest, most generous people I know. Next fall, he’ll be attending Princeton University with his twin brother, studying neuroscience. Please join me in welcoming the man, the myth, the legend, Caleb Sharp.
Caleb: We all know that the meaning of life is 42.
Kinga: At some point in our lives, we will also know that 42 sadly does not suffice.
Caleb: And then we’re back to the big question: what’s the meaning of life?
Kinga: Is it vaporizing half the universe to give more resources to those that remain?
Caleb: Is it raising the Kwisatz Haderach (Kwee-zatz Hahd-a-rock) to rule over us all?
Kinga: Is it learning that Darth Vader is your father?
Caleb: Probably not.
Kinga: We can’t tell you what the meaning of your life is. No one can. Not a supercomputer named Deep Thought, and certainly not a bunch of fellow 18 year olds standing up here in sweltering heat.
Caleb: The scary part is that we won’t know the meaning of our lives until we have lived them.
Kinga: You may start off by going to college for computer science, take a puppetry course, and fall in love with creepy animatronics.
Caleb: Or you may go to college to study neuroscience, and find out that you’re interested in journalism instead.
Kinga: To live is to change. To be human is to change.
Caleb: And the only thing we can tell you about the meaning of life is that it comes from that ability to change, to adapt.
Kinga: Whether that’s through moving overseas…
Caleb: coming to high school after being homeschooled for 8 years…
Kinga: eating shrimp tempura when you hate seafood…
Caleb: trying miso ice cream for the first time…
Kinga: or staying up past 9 pm.
Caleb: Be open to trying radically new things, but also to improving the things you’re already good at.
Kinga: For the sake of all adults here, I would like to specify that by radically new things we mean new things that are relatively safe.
Caleb: Don’t let fame, fear, or spite hold you back. Life is too short to chase an impossible ideal…
Kinga: to worry about taking a poetry class…
Caleb: to hold a grudge against your twin brother.
Kinga: Or your not twin brother!
Caleb: And life is certainly too short to spend more than two minutes listening to us ramble about the meaning of life.
Kinga: Ready?… Let’s go graduate!!!