Messalonskee High School announces it’s top 10 seniors
OAKLAND — Messalonskee High school recently announced its top 10 seniors.
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Valedictorian, Amanda Knight, is the daughter of Ralph and Paula Knight, of Sidney. Knight has been a dedicated member of the soccer team in the fall, and track programs in both the winter and spring. She was named as captain for all three programs during her junior and senior seasons. She has also been on the math team, the Key Club, and served as a Senior Mentor. Knight was named to the National Honor Society as a junior and has held employment while simultaneously maintaining her athletic and academic commitments. She recently received a National Merit Scholar Commendation and was awarded the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award. This fall, she plans to attend Ohio State University and plans to major in landscape architecture.
Salutatorian, McKenzie Brunelle, is an AP Scholar with honors, and has earned high honors with distinction every year while at MHS. She was selected to receive the RIT Computing Medal Award and is an active leader of the MHS Robotics Team 2648. Brunelle earned honors in foreign language and AP calculus during the Senior Last Assembly. She is the daughter of Shawn and Jennifer Brunelle, of Sidney, and plans study biomedical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute next fall.
Mikayla Turner is the daughter of Jason Turner and Holly Manson, of Oakland. She has been a three-sport athlete, being a key member of the field hockey, basketball and lacrosse programs. She has won multiple awards in all sports and has held leadership positions in them as well. She also worked with the youth programs in all sports and served as a role model to younger generations of female athletes. Turner has been a dedicated member of the Key club, has mentored and tutored peers, and served as a Senior Mentor. She was elected to the National Honor Society during her junior year. Turner has also held employment during her junior and senior years. She recently received a National Merit Scholar Commendation to accompany her many other academic accolades. In the fall, she plans to attend the University of Maine studying chemical engineering.
Eric VanDerKarr is the son of John VanDerKarr, of Oakland, and Wendy VanDerKarr, of Winslow. Heis a three-season athlete; he has been a valued member of the soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. A true lover of science and the outdoors, he has volunteered for projects such as pond surveying with Trout Unlimited. VanDerKarr has been an active member of the Key Club. Eric enjoys music; he plays the guitar and trumpet. He recently received a National Merit Scholar Commendation and earned the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award. He plans to major in biomedical engineering this fall at the University of Connecticut.
Benjamin Schaff is the son of Hester and William Schaff, of Oakland. He is an avid “techie”; his hobbies include computers, robotics, personal programming, and electrical projects. He also enjoys working construction along side his father. Schaff earned the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award. He plans major in computer engineering this fall at the University of Maine.
Emma Lee, of Oakland, is the daughter of Marvin and Carol Lee. She has been a student government leader for four years, and key club member. She has won multiple awards in creative writing, English, poetry and philosophy, liberal arts education, and American literature. Lee also volunteers with the food and blood drive and has part-time employment. She plans to attend Azusa Pacific University studying communications.
Kelsey Mayo, of Belgrade, is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Mayo. She has been a member of student government for four years, and played basketball for four years. She was captain, offensive player of the year, and named to the McDonalds All Star team. Mayo has received the Sage Scholarship Book award, and pre-calculus award. She volunteers her time at a local day care center, and given countless hours to our youth basketball program and basketball summer camp. In the fall She plans to attend Franklin Pierce University majoring in physical therapy.
Samantha Alanis has been a devoted athlete, participating in track since 9th grade. She was selected captain of varsity track and has competed at the state level. She has earned awards for achievement in pre-calculus, Latin 2 and 3 and has earned high honors with distinction over the past three years. Alanis earned awards in English, foreign language, AP calculus, and physics during the Senior Last Assembly. She is the daughter of Neale and Lisa Alanis, of Oakland, and plans study elementary education at Wheelock College next fall.
Robert Schlosser is the son of John and Wendy Schlosser, of Rome. Football has been one of his passions for the past four years; he was the team captain this year. He also participated in baseball, indoor track and outdoor track during his high school career. Over the past four years Schlosser has played a key role in the school’s chorus as well as the select chorus groups Tri-M and men’s chorus. He is a member of the National Honor Society. The past few summers he has worked as a courtesy boat inspector. Schlosser was selected for the MPA Principal’s Award, which recognizes one senior for academic excellence and citizenship. He plans to attend the University of Connecticut in the fall.
Taylor Ferguson is the daughter of Sarah and Louis Ferguson, of Sidney. She has participated in many school activities during her time at MHS. Taylor has been involved in the band and chorus programs, the former for all four years. She ran cross-country and cheered in the fall, ran track in the spring, and spent four years with the swim team. Taylor was also an integral piece of the Robotics team, and held a leadership position for that program. She was elected to the National Honor Society during her junior year and has been a member of the Girl Scouts of America. In the fall, Ferguson plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to study occupational therapy.
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