monticellotimes. com Monticello Graduation • Thursday, May 29, 2025 Page 5
11 graduates are joining the military following high school
MONTICELLO— This year, a total of 11 graduating members of Monticello High School’ s Class of 2025 are bound for military service following graduation.
The majority of students are headed for the U. S. Army National Guard, including five who are enlisted and two of whom are active duty.
Another student has enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserves, while three students have enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps.
Those entering the Marines Corps are Matthew Bottila, Gavin Donner and Carter Schmidt, while Andrew Matuska is headed for an enlistment in the Army reserves.
Students bound for the Army National Guard are Elijah Casillas and Kyle Witry, both as active members; along with Adam Duszynski, Kaitlyn Farnick, Gage Lawrance, Noah Savage and Sadie Spicer, all of whom are enlisted.
Monticello High School seniors entering the military upon graduation include, from left to right, Kyle Witry, Noah Savage, Matthew Bottila, Carter Schmidt, Adam Duszynski, Gage Lawrance, Elijah Casillas and Kaitlyn Farnick. Not pictured are Andrew Matuska and Sadie Spicer.
Exchange students: Reflecting on their time at Monticello High School
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a lot meeting new people and also the way that everyone is involved in the activities of the school.
What were your academic activities? What were your favorite classes?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: My favorite classes are general biology, because of the teacher, and culinary, because I like to cook and eat.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: I took a lot of different classes, from ceramics to AP physics. My favorite one was culinary.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: This year I really enjoyed my classes, especially culinary, interior design, art and economics. Because the teachers were so engaging, and I loved getting to learn from a different perspective than I’ m used to.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: My favorite classes were human biology, because I’ m really interested in medicine and health, and culinary because it’ s a really fun class where you learn and eat a lot of new things.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: I had geometry, pre-calculus, physics, chemistry, environmental science, literature, U. S. history, visual communications, communication studies, multimedia and culinary. My favorite classes were culinary and weight training because they are two subjects I never had in school and I enjoyed them.
What are your future plans? What’ s next for you as you prepare to leave Monticello?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: I’ ll start at college when I go back to Denmark.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: When I go back I have to attend one more year of high school. After I graduate, I’ ll probably go to university in Milan.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: I’ m planning to go to college next year to study my double degree. I also hope to get my driver’ s license soon. It’ s exciting to start this new chapter, but I’ ll miss Monticello.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: I still have to do my senior year when I go back to Spain.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: Do 12th grade and then go to college.
What do you want to say to your classmates as you are getting ready to finish the school year and go your separate ways?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: It’ s been a fun time, really happy I got to know them all and I appreciate all the help I’ ve gotten.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: I really enjoyed spending my exchange year here at Monti. I’ m gonna miss all of you.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: Thank you all for making this year so special. I’ ve learned so much and made memories that I’ ll never forget. Even though I’ m leaving, a part of me will always remember Monticello and all of you. I hope we stay in touch and wish you all the best in whatever comes next.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: Thank you for making this experience better, and I’ m going to miss them.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: Thank you all for making this year unforgettable and I’ ll carry these memories with me forever.