The faculty and staff of Rhinebeck High School are proud to announce the Class of 2020 valedictorian and salutatorian, Grace Ellis and Jillian Holen, respectively. Valedictorian Grace Ellis is the President of the Student Council, Co-President of the French Club, and Managing Editor of Rhinebeck Reality Newspaper.

She served as a Youth Delegate at the 17th Annual World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Merida, Mexico, worked at the Starr Library for three years as a Page, and is the founder of the Rhinebeck Young Writers Workshop. Ms. Ellis is the recipient of the Scholastic Writing Awards American Voices Nominee for Excellence in Personal Essay Writing and the Scholastic Writing Awards Gold Key for Excellence in Flash Fiction Writing. She is 2020 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and she has been named to the RHS High Honor Roll for her entire high school career. She will attend Yale University.

Ms. Ellis is the daughter of Pamela and Steve Ellis of Rhinebeck.

Salutatorian Jillian Holen is an Ambassador Member of the Girl Scouts, CoVice President of the Rhinebeck Interact Club (participating in 3 Interact Service Trips from 2018-2020), Co-President of the French Club, Treasurer of the Student Council, and Secretary of the National Honor Society.

Ms. Holen is also a Tutor for the Life, Learning, and Language Tutoring Program at Chancellor Livingston School, a member of the Girls Varsity Soccer Team, and a member of the RHS Women’s Choir. Ms. Holen is an AP Scholar with Honor, she has been named to the RHS High Honor Roll for her entire high school career, and she has been named an RHS Student of the Month in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and College and Careers. She will attend Binghamton University.

Ms. Holen is the daughter of Cathy and Gregory Holen of Rhinebeck.