HODGDON, Maine —Hodgdon High School Principal Mary Harbison has announced the top student awards for the Class of 2017.
Jill Gough is the valedictorian, while Jessica Drew is salutatorian and Rebecca Griffin the first honor essayist, Harbison stated Monday in a press release.
Gough is the daughter of Michael and Carolyn Gough of New Limerick. She is a member of the Hodgdon National Honor Society and student council, and has been a member the peer wellness team in years past. She was on the Hodgdon varsity soccer team all four years of high school, and was captain of her team during her junior and senior years. She also was presented the All-Aroostook award both her junior and senior years.
Jessica Drew, Salutatorian
(Contributed)
Academically, Gough received the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Maine Certificate of Recognition and received English, chemistry, history, and math awards. She also was chosen by the Maine Humanities Council as a semifinalist in the Letters About Literature Essay Contest.
Throughout her high school career, she has been named student of the month multiple times, and has received the Houlton Rotary Club’s Certificate of Achievement. Gough also was nominated to attend the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Students her junior year. Her interests and hobbies include traveling, farming, participating in community service, and playing soccer.
Gough will attend the University of New England where she will pursue a degree in dental hygiene.
Drew is the daughter of Mark and Melanie Drew of New Limerick. She is the vice president of the Hodgdon chapter of the National Honor Society and secretary of the student council. Drew has served as class treasurer for the past four years.
She is a 14-year member of the Houlton School of Dance and has been very active playing, and serving as captain of the varsity basketball, softball, soccer, and club volleyball teams. Drew has been featured on the WLBZ/WCSH Varsity Club and was named an Aroostook League Scholar Athlete.
She has earned the award of excellence for highest grade point average in integrated science, world history, integrated science II, algebra II, literature, physical science, and chemistry. Drew also was awarded the United State Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award and the Houlton Rotary Club’s Certificate of Achievement all four years. In addition, Drew has earned the Hodgdon High School Academic Excellence Award each school year and has been selected as student of the month three times. She has participated in Envirothon for the last three years, and co-chaired the peer wellness team.
Drew has volunteered many hours on Red Cross blood drives, and with the End Hunger Maine/Good Shepard Food Bank, Special Olympics, and Operation Christmas Child. She is very active in her church helping to teach Sunday school, and complete numerous service projects.
Drew will attend the University of New England where she will enter as a sophomore with 45 early college credits, pursuing a degree in sports medicine.
Jill Gough, Valedictorian
(Contributed)
Rebecca Griffin is the daughter of Dr. Brian and Theresa Griffin. She is very artistically inclined and has used her abilities to help make decorations for her school’s winter ball, prom, and color wars. She also has won several awards for her artwork in the Houlton Agriculture Fair including the best of the show award.
Besides participating at the local fair, Griffin has been the recipient of the golden rule award at Hodgdon High School and the math department award. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, Griffin has been awarded the Saint Timothy Award from the Catholic Diocese of Portland for her outstanding leadership abilities and service to the local community. She is active in the Houlton School of Dance, piano, and singing.
Griffin has been very involved in her parish’s youth Ministry. She has served on the Catholic Youth Leadership Team at the diocesan level for two years and has worked with other youth across the state to spread the Gospel message. At her local church, Saint Mary’s, she has participated in many activities, including fundraisers, lecturing, and the Mother’s Day breakfast, and has helped to decorate for and served in Vacation Bible School. Griffin loves her Catholic faith and has always been eager to invite other people to church and to youth ministry events. She has served as a lector for her church and often volunteers at the Mildred Madigan Food Pantry.
Griffin will attend the University of Maine at Presque Isle where she plans to study secondary math education.
