PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Principal David Bartlett and Guidance Director Allison Reed are pleased to announce the top five seniors of the graduating Class of 2023.
Lindsey Himes is ranked first. The daughter of Randall and Cindy Himes of Mapleton, Lindsey has taken the most demanding classes offered at PIHS, earning high honor status every grading quarter. She has earned the coveted PIHS Honor Ring, the Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Honor Bar, and the “Lamp of Learning” award. Lindsey participated in UMPI’s concurrent college class opportunities at PIHS, earning numerous college credits.
Along with top academics, Lindsey has consistently been involved in various school and community activities. A genuine scholar/athlete, Lindsey has served as president of the National Honor Society, president of the Student Council, varsity soccer, varsity cheerleader captain, and track & field captain. Throughout all these undertakings, Lindsey has demonstrated true leadership qualities. While maintaining a very busy schedule, Lindsey still found time to give back to her community through volunteer work with younger students in elementary and middle school sports. She has also spent many hours leading music at her church.
Lindsey will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in the fall majoring in kinesiology.
Ranked second is Jaylee Paige Howlett. The daughter of Wayne and Julie Howlett of Mapleton, Jaylee has taken multiple honors and advanced placement courses, as well as concurrent enrollment offerings through UMPI and NMCC, earning college credits. She has attained honor roll status all four years of high school and placed third for the Future Business Leaders of America Maine State-Community Report Service. Jaylee was chosen as the recipient of this year’s 2023 NMCC Presidential Achievement Award.
Jaylee has shown herself to be an extremely well-rounded student who contributes to her school and community. She has served in student government, held the office of president of the Outdoor Club, secretary of the Future FBLA, sophomore class vice president, captain of the fall cheerleaders, and a valued member of the winter varsity Cheerleading team. Over the past four years, Jaylee has logged a number of community service hours through her work with the Opportunity Training Center and the Mapleton Recreation Department.
She is excited to be attending NMCC in the fall, majoring in accounting.
Rossalyn Carr Buck, daughter of Barry and Martha Buck of Mapleton, graduated third. An avid scholar and athlete, Rosslyn has participated fully in the PIHS community. She captained the varsity tennis team, was a member of the JV soccer team, the JV basketball team, and the varsity basketball team. Rosslyn opted to take PIHS’ most challenging classes along with many concurrent college classes. Her goal was to have enough college credits while in high school to be able to complete college in two years.
Active in student government, Rossalyn has held leadership positions in the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Maine Student Cabinet, freshman class vice president, junior class vice president, senior class president, and a member of Youth in Government, and Student Council. Rosslyn was the recipient of the Gold Presidential Award all four years during high school. Outside of school, Rossalyn volunteered with Special Olympics, Thanksgiving meal distributions, and bagged potatoes for families in need during the pandemic lockdown. Along with all her community volunteerism, activities and academics, she also worked seasonally throughout her high school career.
Rosslyn will be leaving Presque Isle in the fall to attend Thomas College, majoring in accounting. After completion, she plans to go on to receive her master of business administration.
Ranked fourth is Malachi Josiah Cummings, son of Terry and Crystal Cummings of Presque Isle. Malachi has been a successful student and athlete; involved in the school community through sports and academics. In sports, Malachi participated in varsity soccer, varsity basketball and varsity track & field. He was a recipient of the varsity letter, attended the Big East Conference, All-Aroostook Team, Big East All-Defensive Team, was twice Big East Player of the Week, Big East Scholar/Athlete, Big East Senior All-Star, team captain, and a 1,000-point scorer. He was also named Maine McDonald’s All-Star, chosen to the Bangor Daily News All-Tourney Team, and named Penobscot Valley Conference Scholar Athlete.
Academically Malachi has taken many college classes. His awards include the Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, the Academic Letter for Continuous Academic Excellence, and the Springfield College Alumni Association Book Award in recognition of service to school and community. Aside from his sports and academics, Malachi has volunteered with both middle school soccer and track & field events, and with the Wildcat basketball and soccer camps.
Malachi received a senatorial nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy. He will be leaving Maine this June with a full scholarship for post-secondary studies in Annapolis, Maryland.
Alivia Maddison Fitzherbert, daughter of Jared Thompson and Andrea Fitzherbert, has graduated fifth in the class. Dedicated to her academics, Alivia has maintained high honors throughout her high school career and achieved the Presidential Award for Academics.
A top student, Alivia has worked through most of her high school career. She has had time to volunteer and give back to her community through helping with elderly home care with Alpha One, and seasonal fundraisers with the Haunted Woods Walk.Alivia was an active participant in the Aroostook Career Exploration program at Northern Light Hospital and is interested in pursuing a career in psychology, but first she plans on taking a ‘gap’ year and working locally in the Presque Isle area. Alivia is a lover of philosophy and lives by the creed, “man bears the whole universe within himself and comes closest to that mystery by stepping inside himself.”
