Class Profile

By Kate Bania, Olivia Dodenhoff, Madi Lucido & Ella McCarthy STAFF REPORTERS

COURTESY OF PEGGY BONBRISCO

As a National Honor Society adviser and school counselor, Kimberly Deptula sees many classes come and go, but the Class of 2022 holds a special place in her heart. When reminiscing on the senior class’ accomplishments, Deptula’s pride shows through her ear to ear smile. Deptula can't help but embrace the overwhelming joy she feels about the class making North feel like home again.

Deptula highlights the crucial role that the Class of 2022 has played in reestablishing the spirit of North after the spark was dimmed throughout the pandemic.

“I think that's where this class really stands out is that they've been really instrumental in getting all the North-isms back up and running throughout this year,” Deptula said. “We've spent so much time apart, but I think that's where our NHS kids really stood out, they've been pivotal in bringing our community back together by their service, tutoring, leadership [and] academic[s].”

Class adviser Brent Maynard believes that the seniors represented their class and spent the year reimplementing traditions with their energetic and persistent attitude.

“I’d say what makes them most special is their ability to have fun but also take care of business,” Maynard said. “They’re good at balancing the fun side of things but also the business side.”

Senior and class Vice President Lucy Turrini has been a part of her class council for all four years. During that time, she has built a relationship with the rest of the council and her class as a whole. Both in the classroom and out, they have excelled above and beyond for class events and she recognizes her class’ unified skill sets on the council.

“My class is really good at working together, especially on council,” Turrini said. “We collaborate on every idea and everyone participates in all our fundraisers.”

As well as upholding the capabilities of putting together events, the senior class demonstrated that they can shine on the field, on the court and in the pool. Athletic director Michelle Davis observed the senior class’ commitment to give their best effort.

“They are quality athletes but also quality students,” Davis said. “Their mindset was to continue to play and give it 100% at all times.”

Even in a time where their playing conditions were not ideal, they set an example of resilience and gave their best despite the challenges.

“They have played through two seasons of COVID-19, masks [and] limited spectators at events, yet they continued to show up and play hard and give it their all,” Davis said.

Not only did the seniors excel in athletics, but also academically. They have shown their academic excellence at North, but this is just a starting point for the paths they will follow. Deptula credits all of the esteemed places the seniors will move on to after high school.

“We have many students that are attending highly selective universities or really prestigious universities,” Deptula said. “We have students that are attending Yale, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, Northwestern, Notre Dame, NYU and the Naval Academy.”

Deptula recognizes their overall successes in earning exceptional grades and holding high academic standards for themselves throughout the years.

“I think most notable for the Class of 2022 is that this is the most students that I have ever seen inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame,” Deptula said. “We have 55 students that have earned over a 4.0 GPA throughout their time at North, so academically, they are an incredibly strong class.”

They’ve stolen the spotlight in multiple areas aside from just grades. As seniors, the performing arts students have worked to put on many performances and have shown their immense talent throughout them. For their final musical, they performed “Fiddler on the Roof” with many of the seniors taking on leading roles. Senior and performing arts student Cate Ramsey highlights the impact they have made on the program.

“I have never met a more musically talented and passionate group of people,” Ramsey said. “Ask any of the music directors at North and they can attest that we'll be sorely missed.”

Fellow senior and performing arts student Dulcinea Licavoli vouches for the strength that her class holds and their ability to navigate their way through a hard time.

“Our class made it through [COVID-19] and we’re stronger than ever,” Licavoli said. “[We’re] hard to squash.” Their positive spirit has not only brought their class together, but also united the school. In the senior class, there was a place for everyone whether it was on the court, cheering on the sidelines, playing the halftime show or pursuing academic greatness. Maynard acknowledges that the source of their unity stems from their deep rooted connection that they have built with one another.

“I’ve never had a moment where I felt unappreciated by them,” Maynard said. “Their willingness to recognize what others do to support them, I think that comes from their natural want to support one another too.”

Kimberly Deptula NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY ADVISER SCHOOL COUNSELOR