PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Rhianna Desjardins of Mapleton, a senior at Presque Isle High School, has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award, Principal Dave Bartlett announced. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.
“Throughout her years at PIHS, Rhianna has distinguished herself in the classroom, on the playing field, and as a leader in the school and the community,” Bartlett noted in making the award. “Her accomplishments include: Maine NHS Northern Region representative, business manager of publications (yearbook), Class of 2026 fundraising coordinator, varsity basketball: Big East All-Conference Scholar Athlete Award (junior year), Big East Paul Soucy Spirit Award, Aroostook Senior All-Star, Big East Senior All-Star, Aroostook All-Academic Team, PVC All-Academic Team, volleyball club captain, two-time Aroostook League Division 1 champions, company dancer and cast member at The Main Dance Academy, delegate for the Congress for Future Medical Leaders, recipient of the Society of Women’s Engineers Certificate of Merit, high honors (grades 9-11), presidential honors (grades 9-11), College Board National First-Generation Recognition Award.
“These, along with Rhianna’s many other school and community activities and accomplishments, make her very deserving of this recognition.”
Desjardins, Bartlett and other award winners and their principals will attend an honors luncheon at Jeff’s Catering on Saturday, April 11.
The luncheon recognizes these outstanding students with the presentation of an individual plaque and the awarding of 10 $1,000 scholarships in the names of former Maine principals and MPA Executive Directors: Horace O. McGowan, Richard W. Tyler and Richard A. Durost.
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.
