Each year, Goshen High School names six of its seniors with the highest GPAs as Honor Grads, the Top 6, to represent the class and be recognized for their achievements at the close of their high school tenure. This year, Honor Grads include: Kia Ghezel-Ayagh, Judah Gordon, Michael Hulse, Grant Moore, Norah Staunton and Thomas Tedeschi.
Kia Ghezel-Ayagh
Kia is the son of Karin Kupperschmidt and Anoush Ghezel-Ayagh of Goshen. He is heading to Cornell University to study computer science in the fall.
In athletics, Kia served as captain of the Cross Country Team. In extracurriculars, his achievements include serving as president of the National Honor Society, president and student representative of the Class of 2024, treasurer of Model U.N., and a member of both the World Language Honor Society and Junior Friends of the Goshen Public Library.
This dedicated senior earned the following honors and awards: Honor Roll for every quarter during his time at Goshen High School, Rensselaer University Medal and Rochester University Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award.
If he could relive any moment from his time as a Goshen student, Kia said he would go back to helping his team win a section title in Cross County and going to States. He is most looking forward to continuing what he loves to do: running, learning and having fun.
Best advice received: “Read ALL the words.”
Change he would like to see in the world: “I wish that people would adopt a generally calmer attitude toward the world.”
Judah Gordon
Judah is the son of Emily and Lawrence Gordon of Goshen. He is heading to the University of Chicago for Business and Economics in the fall.
Judah’s athletic achievements include serving as captain of the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Ski teams. His extracurricular school accomplishments include serving as Mock Trial team captain, Academic Team president, and Future Business Leaders of America co-founder and president. Judah serves National Honor Society treasurer and is a member of both the World Language Society and Green Team.
This forward-thinking senior earned the following honors and awards: Mock Trial County Champions 2023 and 2024, TEDx Goshen speaker, National Merit Letter of Commendation, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, AP Scholar with Distinction and National Latin Exam Gold Medal.
If he could relive any moment from his time as a Goshen student, Judah said it would be the senior trip to Disney, but he has his sights set on what’s ahead.
“I am most looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life where I create my own structure,” he said.
Best advice received: “The biggest risk in today’s world is not taking any risk.”
Change he would like to see in the world: “A world where realists learn imagination and where idealists learn pragmatism.”
Michael Hulse
Michael is the son of Geoffrey and Angela Hulse of Goshen. He is heading to Boston University with an anticipated major in computer science in the fall.
This senior’s diverse athletic and extracurricular accomplishments include bodybuilding, becoming an Eagle Scout, serving as Class of 2024 secretary from 2020 through 2023 and playing alto saxophone. The senior has also been on the Honor Roll for every quarter during his four years as a Goshen student.
If he could relive any moment from his time at Goshen High School, Michael said, “I would relive my sophomore year and prevent myself from getting a buzz cut.”
He is most looking forward to meeting all the new people who will be attending Boston University with him.
Best advice received: “Live in the moment.”
Change he would like to see in the world: “I want to see everyone accept themselves for who they really are, insecurities and all.”
Grant Moore
Grant is the son of Corey and Brenda Moore of Goshen. He is heading to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to double-major in Psychology and English on the pre-Law track and compete on the NCAA Division I Diving Team in the fall.
The future Division I athlete’s achievements in sports include Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) All-American Club Diving and Varsity Swimming & Diving captain. His extracurricular accomplishments include serving as SADD co-founder and treasurer, and Junior Friends of the Goshen Public Library treasurer, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Math Team, Sunflower Club, Varsity Choir and Jazz Voices.
Grant’s many honors and awards include: AP Scholar Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, Seal of Biliteracy, 9x GHS Academic Achievement Award, 3x Goshen Great Award, 2024 OCIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, Mid-Hudson Officials’ 2024 Diver of the Year Award, Thomas P. DiNapoli Comptroller Award, OCMEA All-County Chorus Participant and Soloist and 2024 Outstanding Vocal Music Award.
If he could relive any moment from his time as a Goshen student, Grant said it would be the day the Honor Grads were declared, because it meant all his hard work had culminated into a surreal, “out-of-body experience” he will never forget.
In the coming years, he said he is most excited to embrace the unknown and grow as an individual in a new environment.
“With that comes the opportunity to consciously create a life you enjoy waking up to every day,” he said.
Best advice received: “Live as though every day is your last.”
Change he would like to see in the world: For humankind to realize: “We are all one species; we are one.”
Norah Staunton
Norah is the daughter of Bridget and Martin Staunton of Goshen. She is heading to New York University to major in either biology or chemistry, and play for their Division III tennis team in the fall.
Her athletic and extracurricular accomplishments include: Varsity Tennis captain and membership in the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Model UN, Leo Club, Green Team and Chamber Orchestra.
This talented senior’s honors and awards include: OCIAA Scholar-Athlete, Section IX Champion, Class of 2024 Salutatorian, Honor Roll every quarter of her high school career, OU-BOCES Outstanding Student Honoree, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, National Merit Letter of Commendation and Certificates of Achievement in AP English II, Chemistry Honors, Spanish 4, Spanish II and Geometry Honors.
If she could relive any moment from her time as a Goshen student, Norah said she would want to relive her senior season on the Varsity Tennis team.
“As a six year member, I have to say the friends I created on the team have become family to me,” she said. “Finishing my final season by winning the Section IX title and representing Goshen at the state tournament for the third time was incredibly fulfilling.”
After graduation, the senior said she looks forward to starting college, meeting new people, continuing to play the sport she lives, and exploring New York City.
Best advice received: “Take everything one day at a time. There is no way to alter the past, and no way to predict the future.”
Change she would like to see in the world: “For people to be more sympathetic and aware of each other.”
Thomas Tedeschi
Thomas is the son of Roni and Michael Tedeschi of Goshen. He is heading to Cornell University to study engineering this fall.
His athletic and extracurricular endeavors include playing hockey and lacrosse, and serving as a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and Leo Club.
This perseverant senior’s honors and awards include playing on the USA Lacrosse All-Academic Team and earning the National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude Medal.
If he could relive any moment from his time as a Goshen student, Thomas said he would want to go back to his lacrosse seasons. He most looks forward to his adventures in college.
Best advice received: “Don’t quit.”
Change he would like to see in the world: “For people to be more open to discussion.”