Mahopac High School has named Brett Bergerson as Valedictorian and Megan Bloomer as Salutatorian for the Class of 2023.
Assistant Principal Matthew Calabro surprised the honorees with gold sashes denoting their achievement while they were in Edward Turnchalk’s AP class. Their classmates erupted with celebration as the announcement was made simultaneously over the public address system.
“I had no idea, I was completely shocked,” Bergerson said. “It was like a fever dream. There are so many hard working and talented students. I feel so honored.”
Bloomer said she hadn’t focused on becoming salutatorian until her senior year. She thanked the people in her life who helped her reach that goal. “I have a lot of people to thank,” she said. “My mom was great in school so she helped me a lot and my dad and my older brother showed me how to have a strong work ethic.”
Both Bloomer and Bergerson have plans for the future but they are keeping their options open.
“I plan to go to McGill University in Montreal. I’m going to go for a science degree and an arts degree,” Bergerson said. “I want to keep my options open. I could see myself going into healthcare or food science, getting chemicals out of our food or as a clinician, but I also really like writing and music and sports.”
Bloomer, who plans to double major in health sciences and psychology with a minor in nutritional sciences on a pre-med track, said “I’ve always liked working independently, like on my science research project, so I’m really looking forward to finding my own way in college.”
Bergerson is a member of the National Honor Society and the president of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She is a well rounded student whose academic achievements are mirrored by her dedication to the Girls Cross Country team where she expanded recruitment by five times and the Girls Outdoor Track and Field team where she set school records in the sprint medley relay and 400m relay. She has spent years volunteering her time as a referee and coach with the Westput U6 and U8 New York Chapter of Gaelic Athletic Association. Bergerson also sings and writes music, including 20 original songs on the keyboard, and is an accomplished writer, being selected for the 2022 Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES Young Authors Conference.
Bloomer has maintained High Honor Roll for every quarter in her time at Mahopac Middle School and Mahopac High School, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. As well as her academic accolades, Bloomer both competes and teaches dance and co-founded the Future Students in Medicine Club, with the goal of spreading awareness to fellow students about the path to becoming a medical professional, and to raise money and awareness to support medical research and other medical related charities. A selfless member of the Mahopac Community, Bloomer volunteered her time combating elder loneliness with GlamourGals National and served in the Putnam County Youth Court as a mentor for first time offenders.
