LAKEVILLE — The following students are graduating from Apponequet Regional High School at the top of the 2025 senior class academically:

Niamh Gallagher, Valedictorian

Niamh Gallagher, Valedictorian, is a co-president of the Art Share Travel Club, the secretary of the Green Team, and a Board Member for the Laker Leaders. She is a varsity player for both the girls’ soccer and lacrosse teams. She is also a member of the Portuguese Club and Student Council. Niamh is the recipient of the Francis W. Gallishaw Memorial Award. Niamh has volunteered her time with the Apponequet Athletic Boosters and at Assawompset Elementary School for their Artapalooza event every year. She also volunteers during the Pan-Mass Challenge. Niamh is planning on attending Tufts University and majoring in International Relations on a Pre-Law track.

Madeline Polochick, Salutatorian

3. Lucas Soares, 4. Ryan Vincent, 4. Alex Keefe, 6. Kohana Fontinha, 7. Jillian Maher, 8. Ava Mello, 9. Alexandra True, 10. Colby Blais

Madeline Polochick, Salutatorian, graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Madeline Polochick, Salutatorian, has been a member of Cross Country and Winter Track for four years and has also been a member of the Spring Track team for the last two years. She has participated in DECA since her junior year. She has also been a member of Laker Leaders for 3 years. Madeline has earned the Coaches Award in Cross Country, several science course awards, and the Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science award. She has been an active volunteer for the Apponequet Athletic Boosters and has dedicated her time volunteering at summer track camps, Women and Infants Hospital, and New Balance Nationals. Madeline plans on attending the University of Hartford and will be majoring in nursing.

3. Lucas Soares

Lucas Soares graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Lucas Soares is currently President of the Executive Board of Student Council, has been a member of Student Council all four years of high school, and has served on the Executive Board in his junior and senior years. Lucas has been an Apponequet Player all four years, where he debuted in the spring musical of his freshman year and has played in each fall play and spring musical since. Lucas has also been involved in several other clubs such as the Math Team, Game Club, Art Club, and Physics Olympics. Lucas has earned Science Awards in Honors Biology and Chemistry as well as in AP Chemistry and Physics 1. Lucas has volunteered his time at Soule Homestead, Gifts to Give, Artapalooza, and various school events. Lucas has also maintained employment outside of school since the summer of his sophomore year, working his way up to shift leader at his job at Dunkin Donuts. Additionally, Lucas has practiced jujitsu for more than 11 years, earning the rank of Blue belt, and has been an assistant coach for children’s classes. Lucas plans to study Astrophysics and to pursue a career in cosmological research.

4. Ryan Vincent

Ryan Vincent graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Ryan Vincent has been a member of Varsity Soccer, Varsity Hockey, and Varsity Track for the past four years. He has also been a member of DECA for four years, where he has served as Chapter Treasurer. Ryan has achieved the STEM award in Honors Biology, Python Programming, and AP Biology. Ryan has volunteered their time over the past two summers with Gnome Surf Therapy. Ryan plans to attend the University of South Carolina and pursue a dual degree in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering.

4. Alex Keefe

Alex Keefe graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Alex Keefe has been a member of DECA and Theatre. He is also the president and founder of the Apponequet Book Club and participated in the Apponequet Boys’ swim team, earning a varsity letter. Alex has earned the Apponequet Science Subject Award for Honors Physics as well as the South Coast Academic All-Star Achievement award for his academic performance over the past four years. Alex has volunteered his time assisting with a variety of Freetown Lakeville School District activities, including Art-a-polooza, setting up the 8th grade social, and volunteering with the Apponequet Athletic Boosters. This fall, Alex will be attending Bridgewater State University to study English with a concentration in Literary Studies and Spanish.

6. Kohana Fontinha

Kohana Fontinha graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Kohana Fontinha is the vice president of the National Honor Society. Kohana has been a member of the varsity volleyball, tennis, and indoor track teams, DECA, and Laker leaders. Kohana has achieved the “MVP” award, captain award, and the South Coast Conference All Star award in both volleyball and tennis, as well as the SCC Super Team award in tennis and the science award for chemistry. Kohana has volunteered her time at the Lakeville Athletic Club, coaching tennis clinics and the Middleboro food pantry. Kohana plans to attend the University of Tampa, where she will major in nursing and minor in Spanish.

7. Jillian Maher

Jillian Maher graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Jillian Maher has been a member of tennis, volleyball, competitive dance, NHS, green team, math team, student council, and Laker Leaders. Jillian has achieved the AP Scholar award, Science Award, South Coast Conference Honorable Mention, the “Laker” award, and honor roll. Jillian has volunteered her time assisting young and disabled dancers, assisting with school events, and helping her local church. Jillian will be attending Fairfield University in the honors program with a major in Finance and a minor in Actuarial Science.

8. Ava Mello

Ava Mello graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Ava Mello is the community service coordinator for the National Honor Society. Ava has played for the field hockey team since her freshman year, as well as participating in DECA, Laker Leaders, the Superintendent’s Roundtable, and Student Council. Ava has served as the E-board Vice President for the last year. Ava has earned the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. She has volunteered her time with the Boys and Girls Club, South Coast Field Hockey, and a Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Ava will attend George Washington University and major in international affairs.

9. Alexandra True

Alexandra True graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Alexandra True is President of Drama Club, Vice President of Book Club, and has been a member of Cross Country, Select Choir, and Portuguese Club. Alexandra has won a Science Award for Earth Science and has been awarded the Bob Keith Memorial Scholarship. Alexandra has volunteered her time working at her church and as a member of the Once Upon A Generation program. Alexandra is planning to attend Roger Williams University and major in Legal Studies and Political Science.

10. Colby Blais

Colby Blais graduated in the top ten of the class of 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School.

Colby Blais is the choir president and a member of the select choir. He has been a member of the Drama Club, Physics Olympics, and Book Club. He has also been a Laker leader for 2 years. Colby has earned the Eagle Scout honor, the Physics Science Award, and the AP Scholar with Honors Award. Colby has volunteered his time at his local community breakfast and with the scouts on various environmental projects. Colby is planning on attending Wentworth Institute of Technology and majoring in Electrical Engineering.