The best of the best: Riverside’s top 5
June 2, 2009
Riverside’s top graduates will be featured speakers at Wednesday’s commencement ceremony. Graduation ceremonies are planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Riverside’s Memorial Stadium with a rain location being the high school gymnasium.
 1. Mark Stanley Zielinski Jr. is the son of Mark and Tina Zielinski of North Sewickley Township. He has been an active member of the National Honor Society serving as its treasurer. He was also the treasurer of his senior class and student council. Mark was a member of the 2008 prom committee and lent his acting talents to the Riverside musical theater in his freshman year for the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” In addition to his academic achievements, Mark has played tennis for the past three years and ran cross country his senior year. Mark works at the Riverside School District during the summer helping the technology department with various tasks. Outside of school, Mark enjoys golfing and fishing with his friends and family. He will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to study pharmacy.
 Tied for 2. Coulton Bunney is the son of Thomas and Claudine Bunney of Franklin Township. He has been involved in several clubs throughout his high school career. He served as president of National Honor Society, president of science club, and was an active member of student council. Beyond the classroom, he was a captain on the varsity baseball team and held a spot on the varsity cross country team. Outside of school, Coulton enjoys helping to coach a generation of younger baseball players. He received the Genevieve Blank Memorial Scholarship, the Wolves Club Scholarship, and the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Scholarship. In the fall, Coulton will attend Stanford University in California where he plans to study neuroscience and mathematics.
 Tied for 2. Lucas Griffin is the son of Bruce and Teresa Griffin of North Sewickley Township. At Riverside he has been involved in the science club, the physics club, National Honor Society and student council. Outside the classroom, he has been a captain on the indoor and outdoor track teams, and a member of the state qualifying cross country team. Luke enjoys being outdoors, and has been honored as both a National Merit Scholar, and a recipient of the University of Southern California Presidential Scholarship. Luke plans to attend the University of Southern California in the fall.
 4. Christopher Main is the son of Scott and Mary Main of Marion Township. He was a member of the National Honor Society and science club and also served as treasurer of the physics and engineering clubs. Outside of school, his activities include golfing, playing volleyball, and biking. During the school year, Christopher devoted a period of his day to work at the school’s technology help desk. This fall, Christopher will be attending Bucknell University to major in computer science. After college he plans on pursuing a research career in the field of computer science.
 5. Clayton Hessler served as the Class of 2009 president for each of his four years in high school and president of student council for the 2008-2009 school year. Clayton is also a member of National Honor Society and the science club where he was president. He has served on many planning committees during his time at Riverside, including both the 2008 prom committee and homecoming committee. When not in school, Clayton splits his time between work, friends and family. He is employed at Passavant Retirement Community as a service assistant. His future plans are to attend the University of Pittsburgh and pursue a medical career.
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