Printer Friendly Version - Francesco Spirlì is at the Top of his Class

On June 21, Francesco Spirlì will step up to the podium to deliver his valedictorian address at the North Haven High School Class of 2018 Commencement Exercises. Is he nervous? “Ecstatic,” he says. Photo courtesy of Francesco Spirlì

Francesco Spirlì is a man of many accomplishments—and he’s just getting started. Francesco is graduating from North Haven High School on June 21 as the Class of 2018’s valedictorian.

“I was humbled to find out that I had been selected for this honor out of a multitude of qualified and incredibly brilliant students,” Francesco says.

“What I was most excited about when I found out about being valedictorian was the fact that I would be giving a speech at graduation,” says Francesco. “As that date now approaches, I am only more ecstatic to be able to represent my community in this way.”

“My parents and I moved to the United States from Italy when I was about six years old,” says Francesco. “Although I was able to learn English fairly quickly by talking with my peers in school, my parents and I have continued to only speak in Italian with each other at home and we have continued to visit our family frequently.”

However, North Haven has helped to shape his passions as he has grown up in the town.

“I attended Ridge Road Elementary School, whose incredible teachers and environment helped me find my passion for education and for helping others,” Francesco says. “These two major themes of my life were only intensified when I attended North Haven Middle School and North Haven High School.”

And he’s made the most of his time at North Haven High School by taking part in activities such as the Future Problem Solving Program.

“This program, which identifies gifted students in the North Haven School System, enabled me to attend classes with some of the brightest students at our school and to learn about a plethora of topics over the last four years,” Francesco says. “Through this program I also met Mr. [Tom] Marak, a teacher whose wisdom and kindness motivated me to not only compete internationally in FPS, but also to become the student that I am today.”

Francesco is also the president of the Italian Club, serves as an Italian Teaching Assistant, and has been the Class of 2018’s vice president for the entirety of high school.

“By allowing me to achieve both of these positions, I have been able to connect with dozens of students learning a second language and with many members of the Italian community at the school,” says Francesco. “It has also been my honor to serve as the class vice president for the last four years a position that has allowed me to help the Class of 2018 have incredible success with activities like Senior Prom and the Senior Picnic.”

“Outside of school I have volunteered at the Yale New Haven Hospital in the short-term surgery unit, where I was able to help patients rehabilitate after their surgeries. I have also been an intern at the Yale Medical School,” Francesco says.

He spends most of his time outside of school though at the Silver City Fencing Club in Wallingford.

“I started to fence there in 8th grade and through many hours of practice I was able to be a three-time All-State fencer and a two-time High School All-American,” says Francesco. “I have also had the pleasure of being a captain for the North Haven High School fencing team.”

While he feels ready to take the next step into the world, the impending graduation is bittersweet.

“Although a part of me has been eagerly waiting to graduate for the last couple of months, I am also reluctant to leave the incredible community that our high school has shaped over the last four years,” Francesco says. “I am excited for my next adventure, but I will sorely miss the incredible people that I have had the pleasure of going to school with in North Haven.”

Currently, he is preparing to attend Yale University in the fall where he intends to major in political science and economics—he plans to focus on global affairs. He has plans outside of academics at the university continue with his passion for fencing as well.

“At Yale, I will be representing the university on their Division 1 fencing team,” said Francesco.

And his plans don’t end there. After Yale, he is hoping to pursue a degree in law—specifically international law.

“In the future I hope to practice international law and dream of becoming a U.S. senator or ambassador,” he says.

Before he starts to chase his next goals, Francesco plans to enjoy the few months before college begins.

“This summer I am hoping to spend as much time as I can with my friends before we all head off to college,” says Francesco. “I am also looking forward to fencing at the national championships in July and visiting the rest of my family in Italy.”