11 Worcester Students Recognized For Academic Excellence, Leadership

WORCESTER, MA — Nearly a dozen students in Worcester were recently recognized by the Worcester County Superintendent for their academic excellence, leadership, and strong commitment to community service.

The Worcester County Superintendents’ Association Scholars’ Recognition honored 11 high school seniors in Worcester Public Schools. The recognition honors students who have reached the top of their class while making a meaningful impact in their school and communities.

"The Class of 2026 honorees represent the very best of Worcester Public Schools, reflecting not only high academic achievement, but also the character and dedication that will guide their future success," the school district wrote in the announcement.

From Burncoat High School, Yvonne Roberts was honored.

Roberts is the President of Burncoat's Black Student Union and a student delegate to the Worcester School Committee. She is at the top of her class, and is most proud of her work in the Innovation Career Pathways Program, which has allowed her to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

From Claremont Academy, Carol Somersall Feliz was honored.

Feliz is graduating from high school as the Valedictorian and has 18 college credits through the Early College program at Worcester State and QCC, as well as courses at Clark University. She has been an active member in both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society and has earned the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction in Spanish.

From Doherty Memorial High School, Kleri Morcka and Elena Melka were honored.

Morcka interned at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and held leadership positions for the National Honor Society and student government. She practiced karate for ten years and earned a black belt.

Melka received the Brown University Book Award, a National Recognition Program Award, and the 2025 AP Scholar with Distinction Award. She researched the Harvard Forest and created her own video game to educate people on the threats facing the rainforest.

From North High School, Tammy T. Do and Milene G. Novoa were honored.

Do ranked first in her class of 289 students with a 4.85 weighted GPA. She takes Advanced Placement and Early College courses and enjoys theatre, debate, and engaging with others beyond the classroom.

Novoa ranked second in her class of 289 students with a 4.83 weighted GPA. She has completed 14 honors and 10 Advanced Placement courses. She serves as President of the National Honor Society and is a student-athlete who competes on the varsity cross-country and track-and-field teams.

From South High Community School, Caleb Som and Jordan Dennett were honored.

Som is a member of the Goddard Scholars Academy, ranked No. 2 in his class of 434 students, and completed nine AP classes with four more in his senior year. He is a recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Dennett has served as co-captain of the Cross Country team and is involved in Science Olympiad, DECA, and Mock Trial. Outside of school, he has volunteered for four years with Andy’s Attic and serves as a Madrich at his synagogue

From the University Park Campus School, Rediet Abayneh was honored.

Abayneh has been recognized as a winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Contest and a recipient of the prestigious Harvard Book Award. She has contributed as a researcher and co-author on a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) book at Clark University. This fall, Rediet will attend Columbia University in New York City on a full scholarship.

From Worcester Technical High School, Katie Lam and Nelson Tetteh were honored.

Lam was the Valedictorian for the class of 2026, has earned 15 college credits through the Early College Worcester program, and serves as president of three organizations: SkillsUSA, the National Honor Society, and the Asian Student Union. She also works with the Early Childhood Technical program and volunteers with the Unified Track and Basketball programs.

Tetteh completed an internship with Dr. Craig Mello at the Nobel Laureates Lab and was Worcester Tech's Salutatorian. He founded the school's STEM Club and showed strong leadership and global awareness by building a website to support a school in Ghana.

"The Worcester Public Schools and the Worcester County Superintendents’ Association extend their heartiest congratulations to these exceptional scholars," the school district shared in the announcement. "Their hard work, leadership, and dedication serve as an inspiration to the entire community. We look forward to seeing all they will achieve as they embark on their next chapters."

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