Lillian Gardell
2025 Valedictorian Berlin High School
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Biological Neuroscience
Women’s Softball Team
Congratulations to Lillian Gardell, daughter of Shannon and Luis Gardell of Grafton, the 2025 Valedictorian of Berlin High School.
Throughout high school Lillian has been enrolled in one of the most challenging college preparatory schedules that Berlin has to offer. This includes an accelerated track in math and science since seventh grade, honors English and social studies courses since ninth grade, and several dual enrollment and advanced placement courses. Lillian will graduate with a New York State Regents diploma with Advanced Designation.
Lillian will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) this fall for Biological Neuroscience, where she will also play softball for the RPI Athletics program.
Outside the classroom, Lillian is involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. She is a three-sport varsity athlete in soccer, basketball and softball. Lillian has been awarded MVP of all three teams, was selected to the Wasaren League All Star team for soccer and softball, Section II Girls Basketball Scholar-Athlete, and is consistently recognized for her leadership and ability to be a team player as captain of all three teams.
When she is not on the sports field, Lillian can be found giving back to her school community. As student council publicist and Class of 2025 President, Lillian has an important voice in making positive changes for her peers at school.
“I first met Lilly when she was in middle school, and I knew even then that she was one of the leaders in her class,” said Berlin High School Counselor Mrs. Rachel Harrison.
“Since she has always been balancing a busy schedule, going from one practice to the next while completing her schoolwork with excellent quality, her time management and organization skills are exceptional,” continued Mrs. Harrison.
“Whether she is part of a sports team or working in a research group, Lilly is a team player, excellent communicator and strong collaborator.”
Not only has Lillian been playing varsity softball for the Berlin-New Lebanon (BNL) Athletic program since 8th grade, she has also been playing club softball for Electric City Bombers Travel Softball team since 9th grade, traveling the Northeast competing at a high level. Lillian’s main position is catcher where she consistently drives the team and makes critical plays while also being known to knock the softball out of the park, hitting several homeruns for both her club and school teams.
Lillian’s combination of academic achievements and her strength of character earned her an induction into the National Honor Society. Her time as a camp counselor at the Grafton town summer camp has brought out her empathy, patience and ability to advocate for others, which has really shone through during her senior year of high school.
“Lillian is respected not only for her achievements but also for her integrity, kindness, and willingness to lift others,’ said Berlin Middle High School Principal Mr. David Bernsley.
“She is the kind of student others look to for guidance and inspiration, someone who makes those around her better simply by being herself.”
Lillian is very excited to be going to college within an hour from Berlin because she does not want to miss seeing her brothers’, Luis Jr. (Louie), 9th grade, and Gerard (Roddy) 8th grade, achievements and games during their time at Berlin. She is her brothers’ number one fan.
Family is very important to Lillian. She received the prestigious RPI Medal in her junior year just as her mother, Shannon, did during her junior year of high school. Her parents both attended RPI, and it is with great pride that she will be attending as well. Lillian is happy to have her father, Luis, coaching her in her final high school season of softball and her mother championing the BNL sports program as booster club co-president.
Lillian embodies the spirit of a Mountaineer: a scholar, athlete, leader, and role model who has left a lasting impact on our school community.
RPI will gain an outstanding student, athlete, and community member this fall.
Sophia Hart
2025 Salutatorian Berlin High School
State University of New York at New Paltz
Music Education
Congratulations to Sophia Hart, daughter of Kathryn and Ben Hart of Stephentown, the 2025 Salutatorian of Berlin High School.
Throughout her time in high school Sophia has been enrolled in one of the most challenging college preparatory schedules that Berlin can offer, including an accelerated track in math and science since eighth grade and honors courses in English and Social Studies since ninth grade. In her junior year, she challenged herself with Advanced Placement English, Hudson Valley Community College U.S. History courses along with Precalculus and Physics.
This year, as a senior, Sophia was accepted into the New Visions Visual and Performing Arts program where she is taking college level courses which are focused on her strengths in the arts.
Sophia will graduate with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced designation.
Sophia is a member of the National Honor Society, plays clarinet in the band and jazz band, sings in the chorus and chamber choir, and is Student Council Secretary. Her leadership is apparent as she serves as Vice President of her class and a LINK leader, a student mentor program at BHS, and as a camp counselor in Stephentown’s summer camp.
Sophia’s extracurricular commitments are endless. She is a leader and team player. Sophia has had important roles on the Berlin-New Lebanon (BNL) Athletic program’s (BNL) varsity soccer and basketball teams this year and in the Berlin Dramateers productions.
This spring she lit up the stage in the Dramateers production of Alice in Wonderland Jr., as Alice. She brought a commitment to the stage, managing the end of basketball season, preparing several solos and duets for the Berlin High School Pops concert, and fulfilling commitments at the New Visions program in Troy. During the fall Sophia was in a Schenectady Light Opera Company production of Mean Girls as well.
Sophia is one of six children and is very supportive of all her siblings and their achievements. You will find the Hart family on the sidelines of games, at academic achievements, and in auditoriums at musical and theatrical performances.
Sophia is a twin with her sister Anna, who is graduating from Berlin this year as well. They have two older brothers, Berlin alumni Mathew and Gabriel and younger siblings, Jack, 10th grade, Chloe, 8th grade and Daniel, 6th grade, who all attend Berlin Middle High School.
Sophia is also proud to have her parents involved in her ventures. Sophia has been accompanied by her father, Ben, on guitar in several of her Berlin performances. Her mother, Kathryn, is treasurer of the BNL booster club and is the go-to for the Dramateers during their performances for hair design.
“Perhaps what impresses me most about Sophia is how she never backs down from a challenge,” said Berlin High School Counselor Mrs. Rachel Harrison.
“Her ability to balance many responsibilities, both academic and extracurricular, and perform at a high level is impressive beyond her years.”
Sophia has a self-described passion and love for all things musical.
“From performing to singing to playing as part of an ensemble, she loves everything about it,” said Mrs. Harrison. “Sophia feels that music is what has helped her to balance ‘everything’; it keeps her calm and able to manage her stress while working at a high level.”
Berlin Middle High School Principal Mr. David Bernsley said, “What sets Sophia apart are her outstanding personal qualities: resilience, leadership, and compassion.”
“She inspires those around her to strive for greatness, always encouraging her peers to pursue their dreams,” he added. “With a keen intellect and a heart full of kindness, she has made a lasting impact on our school community.”
Sophia will be pursuing music education in the fall at SUNY New Paltz. Her compassion and dedication to helping others will make her an extraordinary music educator and successful wherever the future takes her.
(l-r) BHS School Counselor Mrs. Rachel Harrison, 2025 Valedictorian, Lillian Gardell, BMHS Principal Mr. David Bernsley, 2025 Salutatorian, Sophia Hart, and Assistant Principal Mrs. Meghan Reynolds.
