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MANCHESTER — How do you follow in the footsteps of the valedictorian of Alvirne High’s Class of 2008, possibly the most accomplished group of seniors in the 58-year history of the school?
You don’t, according to Cory Hogan, 11, younger brother of this year’s brainiest Bronco, Chelsea Hogan.
“Probably not, it’s too hard,” responded Cory, when asked if he intends to graduate first in his class, like Chelsea, seven years from now.
“She studies a lot, all the time, every night,” Cory added. “It’s annoying!”
Putting his considerable state championship Academic Decathlon public speaking skills to work, senior class President Mike Maglio managed to weave in a list of Alvirne’s most remarkable academic and athletic feats of the past year into his speech from the stage of the Verizon Arena June 14. Among the many notable accomplishments that Maglio listed: the Aca-Deca squad’s 10th straight state title; Alvirne becoming the first high school in New England to have its yearbook recognized with a national award;
17 seniors graduating with “Academic Excellence” (3.7 grade point average or higher); and becoming the first Alvirne senior class to host a homecoming dance at the school.
He also praised the school’s athletes, including “the best basketball team of the last four years,” and an extraordinary number of individuals who achieved “all-state” or “honorable mention” status in various sports.
“Those, ladies and gentlemen, are the credentials of a truly legendary class,” Maglio concluded.
In her salutatory address, Nancy Merlino referred to a serious health scare she experienced during her senior year. “It really made me think about what’s important in life,” said Merlino, who urged fellow graduates to value the pursuit of happiness above that of wealth.
“The average person spends 75,000 hours, in his or her lifetime, working,” said Merlino. “Why not find a job you enjoy?”

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