DYER BROOK, Maine — Jonathan Porter, principal at Southern Aroostook Community School announced Saturday that senior Jackson Mathers has been selected to receive the 2017 Principal’s Award.
The award sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.
“Throughout his years here at Southern Aroostook, Jackson has distinguished himself in the classroom and as a leader in the school and the community,” Porter said. “He has been very active in many school and community related activities that have accentuated his outstanding character and commitment to excellence.”
Mathers has dealt with a great deal of adversity in his four years of high school. Two years ago his father battled cancer which required a bone marrow transplant. Mathers himself is now dealing with his own medical concerns as he was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
“Jackson has not made made excuses, he continues to show determination and a strong work ethic to overcome these personal obstacles to become a successful young man,” Porter said. “He very much deserves this recognition.”
Mathers is involved in a variety of school and community activities. He is a member of the National Honor Society and will graduate in June in the top 5 percent of his class. He also participated in the Bridges program his junior year, earning several college credits and attended the Bridges Summer Institute in both the summer of 2015 and ‘16.
Mathers participated in four years of basketball and four years of varsity soccer. He has earned All-Aroostook in basketball and soccer. He also was named to the Maine McDonald’s all-star team and is a member of the 1,000 point club at Southern Aroostook High School. He also volunteered his time to work at the SACS Hoop Camp for the last three years.
Jackson is the son of Bill and Shannon Mathers of Island Falls.
Jackson, Principal Porter, and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at the Spectacular Event Center on Saturday, April 1, at 12:30 p.m. The Honors Luncheon recognizes these outstanding students with the presentation of an individual plaque and the awarding of five $1,000 scholarships in the names of Horace O. McGowan and Richard W. Tyler. McGowan and Tyler were former Maine principals and executive directors of the Association. An additional five $1,000 scholarships will be presented through the efforts of the MPA Scholarship Golf Tournament.
The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 100 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPA, the professional association which represents Maine’s school administrators.
