PIHS names highest achieving graduates
Principal Ben Greenlaw and Director of Guidance Suzanne Hews have announced the names of the highest achieving students from Presque Isle High School’s Class of 2016.
Graduating first in the PIHS Class of 2016 is Annelise Wardwell. She was active in Shipmates’ Playhouse as an actor for three years and assistant director for one. A commended National Merit Scholar, Wardwell also earned the Phi Beta Kappa Academic Achievement Award her junior year.
At this year’s Academic Awards banquet, she received the Honor Bar, Honor Ring, and English Department Award.
In addition to carrying a demanding course load, Wardwell was an active volunteer at her church and with the Aroostook Partners in the Arts. She has also worked at the Wintergreen Arts Center.
The daughter of Angela and Scott Wardwell, she will attend Azusa Pacific University with a major in cinematic arts.
Samuel Gray, the son of Sarah Ellsworth and Brian Gray, is the number two graduate in the Class of 2016. During his high school career he carried one of the most demanding course loads offered at Presque Isle High School, earning him an Honors/AP Award.
At this year’s Academic Awards banquet, Gray also received the Honor Bar, Honor Ring, and Science Department Award.
Gray participated in a wide variety of activities throughout his high school career, including Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, Math Team, National Honor Society and Ski Team. A member of the Athletic Student Board, he also received the Principal’s Award and awards in All-Aroostook Soccer and PVC Baseball. He has also worked a Star City IGA, the PI Rec Center, and Quoggy Jo Ski Center.
This fall Gray will attend Colby College to study neuroscience.
The daughter of Trudy and Bob Cawley, Michelle Cawley has graduated third in her senior class. Because of her demanding course load, she earned an Honor Bar, Honor Ring, Mathematics Department Award and Honors/AP Award at this year’s Academic Awards Banquet.
In addition to being strong in academics, Cawley has been a solid school citizen. She has been a four-year member of the Civil Rights Team, where she has served as vice president. She was inducted into National Honor Society and is a member of the Community Service Initiative.
Cawley played tennis throughout her high school career and served as team captain. During her junior and senior year, she was named to the All-Aroostook Cheering team. She will attend Husson University this fall to major in physical therapy.
Graduating fourth in her class is Jillian Flynn, the daughter of Clarann and Carl Flynn. At last year’s Academic Awards banquet, she received the Society of Women Engineers Award. This year she earned an Honor Bar and an Honors/AP Award for her strong academic program.
As a junior, Flynn was inducted into National Honor Society, where she served as vice president. She has also been a member of the Civil Rights Team, Math Team, Varsity Club, Science Olympiad, and French Club.
Flynn’s classmates have elected her to the office of freshman class president and vice president of their junior and senior classes.
As an athlete, Flynn has played soccer and ice hockey, where she was team captain her senior year and varsity softball, a captain grades 10-12. She was named to the PVC Soccer team for two years, All-Aroostook Soccer for four years, 1st team All-Northern/Eastern Maine Soccer for two years, 2nd team Eastern Maine Hockey, and 3rd team Northern Maine Hockey.
In the fall Flynn will attend the University of Maine to study biology.
Taylor Williams, the daughter of Beth and Mike Williams, has graduated fifth in the PIHS Class of 2016. During her junior year, she was inducted into National Honor Society. She has also served on the Civil Rights Team, Varsity Club, and Math Team. This year she earned the Honor Bar and Honor Ring at the Academic Awards banquet.
Williams has played varsity soccer and basketball throughout her high school career and was named to All-Aroostook Soccer and All-Aroostook Basketball her senior year. As a senior she also played varsity softball.
Williams has volunteered as a Special Olympics Assistant Coach and has baked for C.A.N.C.E.R. Next year she will attend the University of Maine as a nursing student.
Rounding out the Top 10 percent according to academic achievement at Presque Isle High School are: Katelyn Ford, Miranda Jandreau, Sedona Lucas, Rachel Maxwell, Kellsey Michaud, Regan Nelson, Lucie Simpson and Alyssa Trombley.
