By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

GLOCESTER — Joseph E. Vallee is the valedictorian, and Nathan Leveille, the saluatorian, for the Ponaganset High School Class of 2009, Principal Joseph Maruszczak announced this week.

Vallee finishes his four years at PHS with a grade point average of 4.524, closely followed by Leveille, who has posted a GPA of 4.508.
Vallee, the son of Gary and Kathy Vallee of Indian Trail Road, is a member of the Rhode Island, National and French Honor Societies and this year received a scholarship from the Elk’s Lodge. He was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars in 2007.
He was voted “most musical” by the Class of 2009 and raised over $900 for PHS percussion instruments.
Joseph made Rhode Island Senior Division All-State Band (first on snare drum and second on timpani) and placed first in the Southern New England Honors Band.
He was also section leader of the PHS Wind Ensemble and co-principal percussionist of the RIPYWE. He placed first on mallet percussion in the RI Senior Division All State Band (2007 section leader) and made Rhode Island Junior Division All-State Orchestra (2005, 2006) and Band (2003). He received the St. Michael’s Book Award in 2008 and was a runner up for the HOBY award in 2006.
Extra-curricular activities include PHS Percussion Ensemble, PHS Wind Ensemble,  Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble (junior and senior percussionist), PHS Repertory Wind Ensemble, Ponaganset Middle School Wind Ensemble, PMS Jazz Band, French Club and Middle School Basketball.
Vallee’s community service includes volunteer work for the RIPYO, church  seder meal worker, church food closet worker, church walk-a-thon and setting up baseball fields for the season.
His work experience includes clerk at CVS, musician for Living Arts Theatrics and umpiring for Girls Softball and Little League.
He plans to attend the University of Rhode Island in the fall to study exercise science and music, and then pursue graduate work in physical therapy.
Leveille is the son of Kelly McGovern and Ronald Leveille.
His extra-curricular involvement includes, National Honor Society, Peer tutor, Mock Trial Team, Volunteer Center of Rhode Island, Student Council, 2009 Class Council, National FFA Organization and convention, Rhode Island FFA Association and Ponaganset FFA Chapter.
Achievements and awards include, Rhode Island FFA Association state degree; National Merit Scholarship Organization Commended Scholar; Semi-finalist, Extemporaneous Public Speaking (National FFA); 2nd place, Extemporaneous Public Speaking (Eastern Region, FFA); 2008 Society of Women Engineers award; and Rensselaer medalist ($60,000 scholarship to Rensselaer).
Nathan also held various elected positions with the Rhode Island FFA Association and Ponaganset FFA Chapter.
Community service includes worker for the Orchard Project by Children’s Garden Crusade at Ponaganset Middle School; dishwasher at Village at Waterman Lake; and helper for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Cross Country Class Championships
He plans to attend Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, in the fall.