Rothery Sullivan, an eighth-grader at Houlton Middle School, was announced June 16 as the recipient of the Secretary of State’s Eighth Grade Citizenship Award.
The award is presented to students throughout Maine who understand the importance of academic success and who devote time and attention to making meaningful progress. The award also serves to recognize those individuals who take responsibility for their work, and who strive to make contributions in their community.
“This year’s eighth grade citizenship award is being presented to a young person who exemplifies what it truly is to be a well rounded individual, a model student and active community member,” said Matthew Dunlap, secretary of state. “Academically, this student displays high academic standards. There is a willingness to participate wholeheartedly and there is a striving to do better than what is expected. This is what sets this person above others.”
Among the top students in the eighth grade class, Sullivan was noted as “responsible, dependable, and committed to whatever the task may be,” in a her award letter. Teachers describe her as one who works well with peers and treats others with kindness and respect. They also agree that this eighth grader has a relentless work ethic and a desire to improve the school and community.
“There can be no doubting the school’s decision selecting this student as the recipient of the Citizenship Award for 2015,” Dunlap said. “She has achieved highest honors each quarter in both seventh and eighth grade. Her leadership skills are evident as a valuable member of the student council in grade seven, has attended the Aroostook County Teen Leadership Camp over the last two years and has promoted the camp to all students at the Middle School. She is also a leader in the classroom who interacts well with all of her peers in a positive and helpful manner.”
She has been a member of the elementary and junior high soccer teams the past six years, was a cadet in Girl Scouts, and has been a cheerleader since sixth grade. As a participant in the arts, she is in band, jazz band, chorus and participated in Children’s Theatre. She also donates her money and time to the local animal shelter and food pantry.
“She has taken important steps forward, and we’re confident that she will continue to achieve great things in the years ahead,” the release stated.
She is the daughter of Frank and Meryl Sullivan of Littleton.
