PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Ben Greenlaw, principal of Presque Isle High School, has announced the top five seniors who were recognized at their commencement exercise June 13.
Ranked first among the graduating Class of 2014 was Joel Tewksbury. The son of Dr. John and Cynthia Tewksbury, Joel has taken a demanding caseload of classes offered at PIHS and has earned the PIHS Honor Ring. During the spring academic awards banquet, Tewksbury received the department awards in math and science. Along with earning top grades, he has been involved in many school and community activities, including the PIHS Math Team and National Honor Society.
An avid musician, Tewksbury was a member of the PIHS Band and Jazz Band throughout his high school years and was named first trombone to All-Aroostook Band and second trombone for All-State Band. He has volunteered with his church youth group, Boy Scouts, the local animal shelter and 4-H Club. Tewksbury will be attending Duke University in the fall with a major in bio-medical engineering.
Hanna Postell, daughter of Richard and Michelle Postell, graduated second in her class. At the spring academic awards banquet, Postell received an Academic Ring, which is the highest distinction for academic accomplishments at PIHS. In addition to carrying a demanding academic load, Postell was also a member of the set crew in Shipmates Playhouse productions “Honk” and “Willy Wonka.”
She played junior varsity softball, junior varsity soccer, and volleyball. As a junior, Postell was a member of a SkillsUSA team and received a gold medal for Career Pathways Showcase of the Arts, which qualified her team to compete at the national level. Postell participated in 4-H chapter activities and frequently volunteered at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. This fall, she plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Maine, where she has received the UMaine Presidential Scholarship in recognition of her achievements.
Graduating third in the Class of 2014 was Joshua Gordon, the son of Alan and Lisa Gordon. In addition to taking one of the most demanding course loads offered at PIHS, which earned him the Honors/AP award, Gordon was a solid school citizen. He was a three-year member of the Math Team and Varsity Club, played junior varsity basketball and varsity baseball, and was a four-year member of the golf team, which he co-captained his junior and senior years. Gordon was also named to the All-Aroostook and All-PVC golf teams. During his junior year, Gordon was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Gordon was one of only three seniors to earn the Academic Ring, indicating the highest level of honors throughout his high school career. In the fall, Gordon will attend the University of Maine, where he earned the Pulp and Paper Scholarship. He will major in engineering.
Shannon Sweeney has graduated fourth in the PIHS Class of 2014. At this year’s academic awards ceremony, Sweeney received the department award in both English and Spanish, and was one of only two seniors who earned the Honors/AP Award. During her high school career, Sweeney participated in a variety of activities, including Future Business Leaders of America, Math Team, and Skills USA. Her classmates elected her to serve on Student Council for four years. She was also inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year and served as its president her senior year.
Sweeney was a four-year member of the alpine ski team and ran cross country and track and field for three years. She also received the Phi Beta Kappa Award, Maine Principals’ Association Award, and was named as Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center Student of the Year. The daughter of Dr. Lance and Kathleen Sweeney, Shannon will attend the University of Vermont as a biology major.
Lora Ireland, the daughter of Larry and Alison Ireland, has graduated fifth in her class. Ireland played varsity tennis for four years and was a member of the Math Team for three years. During her junior year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society, where she served as treasurer during her senior year. Ireland was elected class treasurer for four years.
At the 2013 Academic Awards Banquet, Ireland received the Society of Women Engineers Award, awarded to the top science and math female in her class. At this year’s banquet, she received the Honor Bar, which was awarded to only five other seniors. She has also served as a junior church leader for four years.
This fall, Ireland will attend Cedarville University in Ohio, where she will major in accounting.