Utica College Announces Top Students from Class of 2021
Congratulations to this year’s valedictorian and salutatorians, and all the graduates of UC’s Class of 2021!
Despite an unusual and new style of school year, the Utica College Class of 2021 has made it to the finish line. On top of all the regular stressors of college, plus a pandemic, three students have achieved the ultimate feat of valedictorian and salutatorians.
This year's valedictorian is Anastasia Shikula, a biology major who earned a 4.0 GPA. Shikula is from Schuyler, N.Y., and graduated from Whitesboro High School.
After graduation, she plans to attend Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Elmira. Her goal is to become a primary care physician.
This year, two students achieved salutatorian status. Kaitlyn Barlow is one of the students to achieve this, finishing her degree in December from the Mathematics and Adolescent Education program, earning a 4.0 GPA. Barlow is from Poland, N.Y., and graduated from Poland Central High school.
She is currently enrolled in the MS in Leadership and Instruction for Inclusive Classrooms at UC. She is also teaching mathematics at Richfield Springs Central School and, starting in the fall, will teach at Frankfort-Schuyler High School.
Angela (Angie) Loar has also been named salutatorian. She received her RN to BS Nursing degree with a 4.0 GPA. She and her husband, Eric, reside in Theresa, NY. Angela made the decision to come back to school after raising her five children and welcoming two grandchildren, and while working as an RN.
She currently works for the Defense Health Agency as a psychiatric nurse case manager for the 2nd Brigade Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic at Fort Drum. In the future, she would like to earn an MSN/DNP and become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Congratulations to this year’s valedictorian and salutatorians, and all the graduates of UC’s Class of 2021!
