Bell achieved a grade point average of 4.6 and Bellisario an average of 4.5. But they share more than similar grade point averages and similar sound to their names.
Bell has a scholarship to Oberlin College, where he will study biochemistry and music performance. He also received the Conservatory Dean Scholarship, and is the Daniel Belew Young Artist Solo Competition for Orchestral Instruments winner. He was not available for comment.
Bellisario will attend Ohio State University to study biochemistry and pre-med. He received the Provost Scholarship and the Michael and J. Cifuentes and Matt Maupin memorial scholarship. Like Bell, Bellisario is also a musician, having played viola in the school orchestra.
Of being named the salutatorian, Bellisario said, “I’m so excited. It’s like a dream come true ... it really was just working hard and a lot of hours of studying.”
Bellisario didn’t recall an “ah-ha” moment when he realized that biochemistry would be his field, but he knows why it fascinates him.
“I can’t even recall if there was something specific, I just kind of knew. I think I like the interaction with people and science. It’s like a mystery, where you find the medical steps you have to take to get (patients) better,” said Bellisario, who plans to be a doctor.
Of all his high school memories, the ones that especially stand out are the musical one, he said.
“I would have to say I loved the orchestra trips to Toronto, Orlando and New York ... those were great,” he said.
Of the 758 students of the Class of 2012, 69 are graduating summa cum laude, with a GPA of 4.0 or higher. Magna cum laude graduates, with a GPA of 3.6 to 3.9, number 115, and 136 seniors are graduating cum laude, with a GPA of 3.2 to 3.59.
Anna Braam and Travis Duncil are the school’s National Merit finalists.
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