Region 15 proudly celebrates the Top 10 students from Pomperaug High School's Class of 2025. These exceptional students exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and personal growth. In their own words, they reflect on their high school journey and share advice for future Panthers. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are noted below, with the remaining students listed in alphabetical order.

Front Row L-R: Ada Llabani, Lila Kania, Kamya Keerthivasan, Somya Nog, Shannon White
Back Row L-R: Amelia Jose, Stevie Bennett, Jack Lynch, Parsh Verna, Matthew Macaron

Somya Nog - Valedictorian
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (3+4 Accelerated Physician-Scientist Program with Albany Medical College)
"To me, Pomperaug represents a place for connection, growth, and opportunity. It's where I've been able to learn the importance of hard work and build lasting relationships that will guide me through the next chapters of my life."
Advice: Make the connections early on with your teachers, upperclassmen, and friends—don't ever be scared to ask for help! Having another perspective can get you through a lot.

Kamya Keerthivasan - Salutatorian
University of Connecticut, Healthcare Management
"Pomperaug is a community that’s always been there for me. It’s given me my best friends and mentors, and I am forever grateful!"
Advice: Take advantage of every single opportunity there is! You can always change your mind, but it’s important to expose yourself to whatever you’re interested in! Find yourself, and it’s okay to not know what you want to be—just try to figure it out!

Stevie Bennett
Western Connecticut State University, BFA in Acting under the Kathwari Honors Program
"To me, Pomperaug has meant a lively and entertaining home I could count on for the past four years. The majority of my closest friends were made within these walls, and my interests both academic and artistic have been allowed to flourish because of all Pomp has to offer :)"
Advice: I realize how cliché this is, but time really does fly! Join as many clubs, make as many friends, and form as many memories as you can while you still have the time—you’ll be glad you did later!

Amelie Jose
Boston College, Education / Economics
"To me, Pomperaug means a place where I've made countless memories. I'm incredibly grateful for the friends I've made and the personal growth that Pomperaug has given me."
Advice: Don't stress yourself out—you'll end up where you're meant to be.

Lila Kania
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Major in Engineering, also playing lacrosse
"Pomperaug is a place that allows students to find themselves, providing opportunities to try new things and learn from both successes and failures."
Advice: Get involved and try new things. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and always stay true to yourself.

Ada Llabani
Quinnipiac University, Finance
"Pomperaug has been a place where I've been able to grow towards success in my academic career as well as explore who I am and what my interests are. This school has given me endless opportunities, allowed me to meet my lifetime friends, and has prepared me for a bright future."
Advice: Don't worry too much about doing everything 'right.' Try new things and, most importantly, have fun doing it!

Jack Lynch
University of Virginia, Biomedical Engineering
"I have found Pomperaug to be helpful in preparing you for the future and providing opportunities to explore your interests."
Advice: Get involved with school activities and events as much as you can.

Matthew Macaron
University of Miami, Chemistry on the pre-med track
"Pomperaug High School has been a community that shaped my growth, challenged me to lead, and inspired me to pursue my passions. From the classrooms to the clubs, it gave me the foundation to dream bigger and work harder."
Advice: Take every opportunity to get involved early. It’s the best way to discover your passion. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help—high school is a journey.

Parsh Verma
University of Connecticut - Storrs, Molecular & Cell Biology and Applied Mathematics on the Pre-Med Track
"Pomperaug wasn’t just about classes or clubs. Tennis matches full of jokes, late-night robotics chaos, tutoring that turned into life chats. Snow day rumors blowing up group chats, hallway buzz over someone bringing in donuts. To me, Pomperaug means a place where all those small moments actually mattered. They shaped who I am more than I ever expected."
Advice: Not everyone finds their people on day one or knows their 'thing' right away. Make room for detours, weird ideas, and stuff that doesn’t make sense at first. That’s where you start figuring out what actually matters to you.

Shannon White
Northeastern University, International Relations and International Business
"For me, Pomperaug was a place where I could grow and develop, take advantage of opportunities, and form connections with others. It’s really a place where I could discover my interests while developing skills that would be valuable later in life."
Advice: Don’t compare yourself to others; use the time to focus on what you love instead.