Seacoast Students of the Week are scholars, athletes, singers and leaders

A scholar-athlete and leader of the Air Force Junior ROTC who aims to fly as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. A Class of 2025 senator and Division 1 field hockey player who leads school and community organizations. A singer with perfect pitch who embraces the spotlight in school musicals while also shining in the net as a hockey goalie. A passionate singer who proudly performs the national anthem at school and community events as she prepares for a career in music.

Meet the inaugural Seacoast Students of the Week for the 2024-2025 school year.

Seacoast Students of the Week are nominated by local principals, teachers and guidance counselors and, as you'll see below, they reflect a broad range of achievements. It is our pleasure to introduce you to these outstanding students and we look forward to sharing stories of so many more of our wonderful students in the weeks ahead.

This week's students represent Spaulding High School, Exeter High School, Somersworth High School and Dover High School. All Seacoast-area public high schools have been invited to highlight their students' achievements in the Seacoast Students of the Week feature.

Here are the Seacoast Students of the Week for Sept. 9, as described by the school leaders who nominated them:

Dylan Gravallese, senior, Spaulding High School

Dylan Gravallese is a scholar athlete and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet in his senior year at Spaulding High School. Dylan serves as the Deputy Group Commander in AFJROTC this semester where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of 100 JROTC cadets in a variety of projects and activities including aviation studies, fitness programs, fundraising, and community service. Dylan was selected for the Air Force Aim High Academy this summer and completed more than 12 hours of training toward his private pilot certificate. Dylan is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and the Kitty Hawk Honor Society. He is a member of the Varsity Wrestling Team. Dylan’s plans are to attend the Air Force Academy or Air Force ROTC and fly as a pilot in the United States Air Force.

Alexa Zaimes, senior, Exeter High School

Alexa Zaimes is an outstanding student attending Exeter High School and has made a significant impact on her peers and the staff of EHS. Alexa thrives within a discussion based learning environment, making her an incredibly collaborative student to work with in the classroom. Recently, Alexa became a Class of 2025 senator, which reinforced her ability to participate in, lead and create pivotal school-wide events showcasing her natural leadership ability. She is a strong contributor to our EHS field hockey team, is involved in Interact Club and Hawk Crew, participates in community service through her participation in Girls In Action, a youth branch of Exeter Area General Federation of Women's Clubs (EAGFWC), and has been influenced by two service trips with Global Leadership Adventures. Alexa is looking forward to the college process this fall where she hopes to study International Relations at whichever institution is lucky to have her!

Reilly Quist, junior, Somersworth High School

Reilly Quist is entering his junior year at Somersworth High School and has proven himself to be a humble, confident, tenacious, talented and all around hard working person. Throughout his high school career, he has excelled academically, athletically and artistically in school and throughout different communities outside of school as well.

Reilly is a goalie on the U18 NH Avalanche AAA hockey team based out of the Ice Den in Hooksett. He's been involved with hockey since he was 5 years old. He puts his heart and soul into being the best player he can be and is well respected by his coaches/peers.

Last year, Reilly played the lead role of Seymour in Somersworth's spring musical, "The Little Shop of Horrors!" You may have also seen him onstage playing Kenickie in "Grease" or Robbie Hart in "The Wedding Singer the Musical!" with the Pine Street Players in Exeter.

Reilly has a natural talent and understanding of music, not to mention the extremely rare gift of "perfect pitch." He is a leader in Somersworth High School's Concert Chorus and Select Choir and, in addition, was chosen for NH All-State Chorus last school year. There's more, he plays bass in the band "Lightheaded" with several friends and has done several public performances with them. He has some background playing piano and guitar, as well. In between all of this, he loves to spend time with his little brother, play basketball and work out to keep in shape for hockey.

Reilly is the type of quiet leader who shies away from the spotlight, that is, until the spotlight is on him and it's game time.

Dani Oliver-Cheney, senior, Dover High School

Dani is passionate about singing. She opened the Dover School District Welcome Back Meeting with an incredible rendition of the "The Star Spangled Banner." Well known on the national anthem circuit, she has sung at road races, community events, and countless Dover High School events. She is a member of the school's Sound Waves and plans to pursue a career in music.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Students of the Week: Scholars, athletes, singers and leaders