Seniors of the Month
Tremel has demonstrated sustained academic excellence, impressive extracurricular involvement, and meaningful service to her school and community. While preparing for a future major in Biology, she has successfully balanced a challenging course load with leadership roles and volunteer commitments, showing exceptional maturity and responsibility. Her achievements in public speaking and theater at the regional, super-regional, and state levels highlight both her talent and her dedication to developing her craft. Mel’s compassion for others is equally noteworthy. She has volunteered at multiple blood drives, delivered meals to families in need, supported educational programs for young children, and provided care and comfort to hospice and dementia patients within her family. Her reliability shines through her work as a babysitter and in organizing a church fundraiser, further demonstrating initiative and service-minded leadership. “Mel is one of the stars of the senior class: not only is she gifted in the realm of academics, she has shown her impressive speech skills and joined the theater and forensics teams in state level competitions. Mel is also one of the kindest, friendliest, and most genuine young adults in the school. No matter where she goes in life, she will continue to represent Windsor High as a graduate embodying the high qualities that we hope to instill in our students.”—Mr. Burgess, History. While Mel plans to study Biology in college, she is still in the decision-making phase for selecting the school she will attend.
Jackson is an exceptional student whose strong academic performance, leadership, and dedication to service make him an outstanding representative of Smithfield High School. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Jackson is deeply involved in the school community through varsity soccer, the JROTC Raider Team, the swim team, and the National Honor Society. As the JROTC Battalion Commander, he has earned the respect of his peers and instructors through his integrity, initiative, and ability to inspire others. Under Jackson’s leadership, the SHS JROTC Raider Team delivered top performances across multiple events at the 4th Brigade Best-of-Best Qualifier Competition, including areas such as physical fitness, endurance challenges, and team strength events. Their hard work culminated in a 1st place finish in the Mixed Team Division, securing a spot at the Best-of-Best Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in March. Lt. Col. Badoian shared these words about Jackson: “Jackson Young is an exceptional student-athlete and a highly effective leader. As Battalion Commander, he leads by example—supporting his peers, accepting and applying feedback, and consistently demonstrating integrity and determination. His vision and drive were instrumental in establishing the co-ed Raider Team, which earned a first-place finish at its very first Best-of-Best qualifier. Jackson’s character, work ethic, and leadership set the standard for our program and will serve him well in his future military career.” After graduation, Jackson plans to attend either the Coast Guard Academy or Norwich University, where he hopes to develop as a military officer while continuing to play collegiate soccer.
Nicholette stands out as an outstanding student whose academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth set her apart. She has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to learning, excelling in rigorous subjects, especially math, science, and history—through hard work, focus, and a genuine love of discovery. Her academic success is matched by her involvement in school life. Through her participation in VHSL Theatre and BETA Club, Nicholette balances analytical thinking with creativity, empathy, and leadership. Her work on stage has helped her come out of her shell and connect more deeply with others, while her service in BETA reflects her dedication to teamwork and community. In the classroom, Nicholette’s curiosity shines through her achievements in Chemistry and Physics, where she consistently applies thoughtful analysis and precision in her work. She has taken and excelled in numerous Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses, all while supporting her classmates and contributing to a positive, encouraging learning environment. Her teacher, Scott Graham, shared these words about her: “Nicholette is a remarkable young lady who excels in everything she does. She has taken and excelled in a remarkable number of dual enrollment and AP courses over her academic career, and is always there to help other students in her class. Nicholette makes Windsor a better place.” After graduation, Nicholette hopes to attend the University of Virginia, where she plans to study Astrophysics.
Cydney is an exceptional student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and integrity in everything she does. She is known for her strong work ethic and her ability to balance a demanding course load with her many responsibilities outside the classroom. As Senior Class President, Cydney leads her peers with confidence, organization, and a genuine commitment to fostering school spirit and unity. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening pride and connection across the school community. Most notably, she played a key role in planning and organizing this year’s Homecoming events, coordinating with staff and student organizations, overseeing logistics, and ensuring every detail came together seamlessly. Her creativity, teamwork, and dedication helped make Homecoming a tremendous success and demonstrated her passion for bringing people together to create lasting memories. Her teacher, Allison Simon, shared these words about Cydney: “Cydney Wells has been my student for only two months, but it is obvious to me that she is making the most of her educational experience while here. As a student, she is always attentive and engaged during instruction, and the quality of her work shows her depth of understanding. We spoke of her aspirations to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering, and I believe that this young lady will succeed at this and other future endeavors as well.” After graduation, Cydney plans to attend Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in Industrial or Environmental Engineering.
Zach is the model of academic excellence, leadership, and character, consistently demonstrating a balance of high achievement, service, and humility. A dedicated athlete, he holds the top cross-country time in the district and serves as captain of the soccer team. Beyond athletics, Zach is an active member of BETA, DECA, and the Robotics Club, where his leadership and commitment inspire those around him. Zach’s impact extends well beyond Windsor High. He volunteers as both a coach and referee for his local youth soccer association and serves with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) District 7600 humanitarian group. Known for his generosity, Zach willingly tutors classmates whenever he sees an opportunity to help. His willingness to serve others is a hallmark of his character. Government teacher Maggie Halstead shares: “Zach is an exceptional student who excels both academically and athletically, balancing his rigorous coursework with his dedication to cross country and soccer. His strong drive to succeed pushes him to set high goals in the classroom and on the track, and he works diligently to achieve them. Zach’s personable nature makes him approachable and supportive, and he is always ready to encourage and uplift his classmates and teammates. His combination of determination, kindness, and positivity creates a motivating environment where others feel inspired to do their best.” Looking ahead, Zach plans to pursue engineering and hopes to attend Virginia Tech or Purdue University.
Andrew is a remarkable student whose leadership, character, and selflessness have left a lasting impact on his school and community. He has been active in many areas of school life—serving as Captain in the JROTC, performing in the band, competing as a member of the wrestling team, and participating in BETA Club. Known for his outgoing personality and ever-present smile, Andrew never hesitates to help his classmates. His commitment to service extends beyond the classroom, where he is also an active member of his church choir and a volunteer firefighter with the Smithfield Fire Department. Andrew recently demonstrated extraordinary courage and skill while visiting at Pocahontas State Park in Powhatan county on September 14. When a 10-year-old boy was severely injured in a biking accident that resulted in arterial bleeding, Andrew Rupert was one of the first on scene to administer first aid. Andrew and two others applied a tourniquet that saved the child’s life. His teachers echo these sentiments. World History teacher Mr. Ping shared: “Andrew is one of the finest young men I know. He possesses an empathy, honor, and quiet confidence which far outstrips his years. I feel his caring and empathic nature is his best quality - he was one of the first students to check on not only myself but the other members of the History Department last year when Mr. Ployd suddenly passed. While he loves music and that love will likely continue throughout his life, Andrew has had the rare joy of finding his calling in helping others as a firefighter. Andrew also has an inquisitive mind and always asked questions and sought to find a deeper understanding of the material - even in classes he knew he would not directly need in his career. It has been a pleasure to teach Andrew over the last four years and see him grow into a fine young man with a bright future ahead and who will be a credit to his community.” Andrew has been accepted to Liberty University, where he plans to major in Worship Leadership.