PIHS recognizes
top five academic seniors
PRESQUE ISLE — Donna Lisnik, principal of Presque Isle High School, has announced the top five seniors who were recognized at their commencement exercise June 7.
Contributed photo
THE TOP FIVE academic seniors at Presque Isle High School were recognized with plaques at their June 7 commencement exercises. Pictured are, from left: Emma Bartlett, who graduated second in her class; Amanda Bennett, first; Katherine McKenna, fourth; Emma Michalowski, third; and Corey Willette, fifth.
Ranked first among the graduating Class of 2013 is Amanda Bennett. The daughter of James and Debbie Bennett, Amanda has taken many of the most demanding classes offered at PIHS. Along with earning top grades, Bennett has consistently been involved in many school activities. She has served as president of the National Honor Society (NHS) and was class president. She was elected as the House Chair of Education in Youth in Government, and participated on the debate team, math team, and the Varsity Club.
An avid athlete, Bennett also participated in varsity cross country, varsity track and field, and varsity skiing. She has earned the Academic Letter, the Lamp of Learning, the Honor Bar, the Social Studies Department Award and the Presidential Honors Award. She was the recipient of the Principal’s Leadership Award for her class. While maintaining a busy schedule, Bennett still found time to work part-time at a local store and during summers at the SAD 1 School Farm. She will be attending Bowdoin College in the fall with a major in political science.
Graduating second was Emma Bartlett, the daughter of David and Barbara Bartlett. She has been an active member of many clubs, organizations and activities at PIHS. Bartlett has demonstrated strong leadership qualities through the positions of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) vice president and Varsity Club vice president. She was a member of the NHS and was awarded the Phi Beta Kappa Award and the Women in Engineering Award.
An avid skier, Bartlett represented Maine at the New England Alpine Championships, placing 12th. Academically, she has consistently achieved high honors. Her awards include Honors/Advanced Placement (AP), 4 year Honors, Academic Letter, Lamp of Learning, and a 2013 Honor Bar. Bartlett has maintained and balanced her full academic load with her work in the community. She has volunteered at the animal shelter, Toys for Tots, and at the middle school for special events. She will be attending Colby College (major undeclared) in the fall.
Emma Michalowski, daughter of John and Ellen Michalowski, graduated third. A recipient of the Academic Letter, PIHS 4 Year Academic Honors Certificate, the Honor Bar and the Lamp of Learning, Michalowski also participated fully in the school community. Along with earning top grades, she served as makeup design head for several Shipmates Playhouse productions, as well as the PIHS contest play. She served on the Student Council and the prom committee.
Michalowski was a member of the Varsity Club and an active participant on both the PIHS track and field team and the swim team. She was selected as an All-Aroostook swimmer and made the Penobscot Valley Conference All-Academic Team for track and field.
She volunteered her time with the Central Aroostook Humane Society and worked part-time at a local bank. She will be leaving Presque Isle this fall to attend Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. where she will major in psychology.
Graduating fourth was Katherine McKenna, the daughter of Mark and Lisa McKenna. Always smiling and friendly, McKenna was very involved in the school community. She was selected as CTE Student of the Year for the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, was manager of the varsity girls basketball team, the softball and soccer teams and was an active participant in Skills USA. She was also involved in many fund-raising and club activities.
In addition to her school involvement, McKenna also served her church community. She has completed two church mission trips, has been active in Youth Group, and worked summers at Camp NOMACCA. Her hobbies include playing the piano, raising 4-H animals and singing with the Northern Light Youth Choir.
A recipient of the PIHS Academic Letter, Senior Academic Honors Certificate, the PIHS 4 year Honors Certificate, and the Lamp of Learning, McKenna will be heading to Ohio in the fall to major in biology at Cedarville University.
Corey Willette, son of Alan Willette and Lezlie Cole, graduated fifth. Dedicated to his academic career, Willette has maintained high honors throughout high school. He earned the Academic Letter and received the Academic Honors Certificate, the PIHS 4 year Honors Certificate, the Lamp of Learning, and the Honor Bar. His academic ability and endeavor for knowledge both in and out of the classroom has made him a unique and productive member of the PIHS student body.
He has been a successful athlete on many high school teams including varsity basketball and track and field. Willette served as president of the Student Council, was a member of the Varsity Club, the Community Service Initiative, NHS and a member of the Math Team.
He will be leaving Presque Isle this fall to embark on his goal of establishing a career on the high seas. Willette will be attending the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.
