Leadership, School Spirit Define Wilcox Tech Valedictorian

Walking down the halls of Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden Wednesday, 18-year-old senior Stefan Ankle shook hands, hugged or smiled and said hello to almost everyone who passed by whether a student or staff member.

It’s not an unusual sight, Principal David Telesca said, as the valedictorian of the class 2013 excelled well beyond the classroom and provided a combination of leadership and maturity that made him one of the most well-liked students in the entire school.

“He’s a low key kind of guy, but he never lets himself be distracted from his goals and he never comes to school in a bad mood,” Telesca said. “He comes in with a commitment to school and to his future.”

In fact, it was an interest in technology and mechanical engineering that led Ankle to choose Wilcox Tech nearly four years ago as he began preparing for what he hopes will be an eventual career in systems engineering.

Eventually Ankle said he would like to find a place in something based around aviation, although he is also keeping his options open. He is attending UConn in the fall and will major in computer science and electrical engineering.

Ankle said his love for engineering, technology and mechanics began when he was still in middle school, watching ‘Iron Man’ and other movies.

“It was something I just always had an interest in,” he said. “I talked with my mom and decided that I wanted to come to a school where I could begin to truly focus on my passion.”

A Meriden resident who lives with his mother and inspiration, Dahlia Ankle, school has been about a lot more than just classroom studies for Ankle.

He was a four-year member of the varsity soccer team and served as a tri-captain last fall, was a member of the school’s Skills USA team, was president of National Honor Society and was also a member of the Maloney High School robotics team.

Outside school, he also pledged his time to community events including the Penguin Plunge and went to as many school open houses and trade selection night events as he could attend.

Without the support of his mother and friends, however, he said he wouldn’t have been able to achieve the level of success and dedication it took to become valedictorian.

“My mom has always been there, even though she’s been through a lot in her life,” he said. “She raised me on her own and worked to support me and still always managed to stay on top of my studies and make sure I was focused. She was the one who always pushed me to be the best I could.”

Asked what was the biggest challenge he faced, Ankle smiled and said with a slight laugh “finding time to sleep.” With advice to incoming freshman, he said the most important thing is to find a balance and to make sure to have some fun while doing everything.

Ankle said when he graduates with his fellow seniors on June 22, he will miss all the people – both students and staff – more than anything else.

But Telesca said even after he graduates, he fully expects to hear the success stories of one of the most mature young men he’s had the pleasure of meeting.

“He is a leader,” Telesca said. “His maturity and dedication is going to carry him a long way in life.”

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