DISTRICT A ANDREW WEYMOUTH, METHUEN NOTRE DAME
According to principal Arthur Nicholson, Weymouth's teacherspraise his 'unparalleled intellectual curiosity,' and say that 'hisanalytical, problem solving, and writing skills are just phenomenal.'Class valedictorian and vice president, a member of the NationalHonor Society, recipient of the Superintendent's Award for AcademicExcellence, and a volunteer peer tutor, Weymouth has made quite animpression during his years at Methuen High. He has left his mark onthe track as well, with school records in the 4xmile and distancemedley relays. Following his success in outdoor track, Weymouthswitched from soccer to cross-country as a junior, and it paid offwith two league All-Star honors and EMass All-Star status. Thiswinter, he was named First Team Academic All-State in basketball, andhas also won all-league and all-district honors for track. As captainof the cross-country and track teams, Weymouth's 'outgoingpersonality allows his competitive spirit and confidence to rub offon other team members and has made us a better team,' coach WilliamJames said.
Andrea Posa, Weston
BROWN
Posa was instrumental in founding Weston's varsity softball teamin 2003, and as the squad's captain and ace, led the Wildcats to theNorth Sectional semifinals in their first season. As a senior, Posaboasted a 0.74 ERA, the lowest in the Dual County League. She alsocaptained the basketball team and was the Globe's 'Player of theYear' for field hockey, which she will play at Brown next fall. Posawas a DCL field hockey All-Star three times and helped her team totwo straight appearances in the state final, but according to coachLaura Galopim, 'Andrea is not a player who gets caught up in thelimelight. She is an unselfish and committed athlete who has alwaysput the needs of the team first. Andrea's determination and hard workare contagious . . . and her work ethic never went unnoticed.' Posahas taken every honors and Advanced Placement course available toher, is in the top six percent of her class, and scored an 800 inmath on the SAT. She is a yearbook editor, a volunteer softballcoach, and in the Social Awareness Club.
DISTRICT B CHRIS PIZZOTTI, READING HARVARD
Harvard-bound Pizzotti has a lot going for him: He's classpresident, captain of the football and basketball teams, in theNational Honor Society, and a talented pianist. Though he boasts a3.81 GPA and scored a 780 in math on the SAT, strong academics areonly a small piece of Pizzotti's story. He volunteers at youth sportsclinics, with the Salvation Army, and for 'Read Across America.' Heholds school records for most touchdown passes in a game (5), season(20), and career (40), most career passing yards (3,300), and forbasketball, most 3-pointers in a season (45). Pizzotti's manyathletic honors include two nods to the All-Scholastic football teamand the distinction of the Football Coaches Association 'StateOffensive Player of the Year.' According to football coach JohnFiore, though, 'It is his impressive ability to communicate with histeammates, to encourage and inspire them . . . that stands out beyondthe individual awards. The same assiduousness Chris applies in theclassroom, he also brings to the athletics fields. The same vitalityhe creates within his graduating class, he also creates in practice.'
Akilah King, Medford
BROWN
Over the last four years, King has earned a reputation as athleticroyalty in the Greater Boston League, but her academic resume isequally impressive. Third in her class, King took five AdvancedPlacement courses this year and maintained a 4.23 GPA. She isMedford's president of the National Honor Society and has receivedthe school's Academic Excellence Award in four subjects. According toEnglish teacher Doug Bowen-Flynn, 'Akilah shows a maturity andgenuine academic interest that reflects a love of learning ratherthan a drive for grades.' King certainly has drive, though, and ithas paid off athletically. Amassing 127 career points, she was theGBL's leading scorer and a Globe All-Scholastic in soccer. Inbasketball, the 6-foot center was twice a league all-star, and inoutdoor track, King was state champion in the 400 meters in 2002 andtook bronze in the event this spring. At the Division 1 meet, she wonthe 400 and was runner-up in the triple jump. King is a five-timeteam captain.
DISTRICT C JAKE MASSAR, NATICK VANDERBILT
In his four years on the varsity basketball team, Massar nevermissed a start. A point and shooting guard, the captain averaged 21points per game and led the Bay State Conference Herget Division inscoring this year - a feat that athletic director Tom Lamb calledespecially impressive given Natick's sub-.500 record. 'He istremendously competitive, never giving up, demonstrating greatemotion and fire,' Lamb said. Massar finished with 1,277 careerpoints and was twice a BSC All-Star and team MVP. He was also votedMost Improved Player by the golf team, and captained the squad toit's first winning season since it was re-established in 2001. In thespring, he runs outdoor track. He is also an avid artist. 'I admireJake for making the decision to pursue his interest in art,' guidancecounselor Michael Panchuck said. 'I think his choice emphasizes howvery important learning is to him.' Not that the art courses hurtMassar - he ranks 14th in his class of 260 and is in the NationalHonor Society.
Clara Blattler, Brookline
HARVARD
Blattler has never earned anything less than an `A' in hercourses, and with a perfect 4.0 GPA, is ranked first in her class of457. According to headmaster Robert Weintraub, though, 'She is ashumble and engaging as she is brilliant and accomplished.' Besidesscoring a 1580 on the SAT and 800s on all of her SAT II tests,Blattler won the National French Competition in 2004 and receivedhighest honors from the Society of Female Engineers. She is also aviolinist in the school orchestra and captained the gymnastics andoutdoor track teams. Last year, Blattler's state-champion 4x400 relaywas Globe All-Scholastic, and this spring, she was the state runner-up for pole vault and Bay State Conference champ in both pole vaultand the 300-meter hurdles. Her best vault, 11 feet 6 inches, is aleague record. According to track coach and English teacher PeterRittenburg, 'The only thing that might overshadow her prodigiousresume is her unswerving humility. Clara is the best kind of teammateand leader. She leads by presence and by example, without aninterference of ego.'
DISTRICT D CHRIS DESROCHERS, COYLE-CASSIDY MIT
Winner of the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman Trophy forMassachusetts, Desrochers is no stranger to recognition for hissuperb athletic and academic accomplishments. He was named anAcademic All-American following the 2003-04 indoor track season, isclass valedictorian, and school President of the National HonorSociety. Desrochers has been an Eastern Athletic Conference All-Starin soccer, indoor, and outdoor track every season of every year, andrecently won the EAC triple jump and 300-meter hurdle titles andplaced fifth in the state in the 300 hurdles. He holds school recordsin the pentathlon and long jump, and in soccer, for most points in acareer (64). According to principal Mary Tranter, Desrochers is 'oneof the most well rounded individuals to have ever attended Coyle-Cassidy High School . . . [He] has distinguished himself as adedicated student, an exceptional athlete, and a born leader.' A two-year captain of cross-country and track, Desrochers is also an EagleScout.
Shannon Doran, Bishop Feehan
GEORGETOWN
When it comes to school records, Doran could rattle off a laundrylist. In indoor track, she set marks in the 1,000 meters, 4x400,4xmile, and distance medley relays, and outdoors, in the 4xmile and4x800 relays. 'Her dedication to the team, her work ethic, and herpositive outlook are infectious,' coach Robert L'Homme said. Doran isalso Feehan soccer's No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 35 goals and17 assists. The three-season captain and five-time Eastern AthleticConference All-Star apparently ran fast enough to leave time foracademics and extracurriculars, though. She was a Congressional pagein Washington, D.C., has been Student Council president andtreasurer, and volunteers at the local middle school, food pantry,and hospital. She is president of the Spanish Honor Society and won aBoston Globe Silver Key for Art. Doran is class salutatorian, has a3.84 GPA, and according to chemistry teacher Margaret Stenerson-Reynolds, 'is an amazing student. [Her] ability as an independentthinker was obvious . . . She was the most creative person in herclass.'
DISTRICT E ERIC SCHEID, LUNENBURG WPI
Scheid, Lunenburg's senior class valedictorian, has taken everyAdvanced Placement course offered by his school and maintained aperfect 4.0 GPA. He scored a 1530 on the SAT, notched at least a 730on four SAT II tests, and was a National Merit Semifinalist, butaccording to history and technology teacher Peter McCauliff, 'despitehis academic achievement and the accolades that have come with it, heremains humble, very popular, and likable.' McCauliff has coachedScheid for four years in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track,where the middle-distance runner has been a Mid-Wach League All-Starseven times and is a member of the school record 4x800 relay. He hascaptained all three squads since his junior year, and according toMcCauliff, 'His leadership skills are obvious, his work ethic isexceptional, and he offers no excuses for perceived failures. He is agreat role model and I rely on him to coach younger athletes to setgoals and work to reach them.' Scheid, a trumpet player, has alsoserved as vice president of the band for three years.
Jessica Hart, Algonquin
BOSTON COLLEGE
Hart's senior year schedule featured four Advanced Placementcourses and a pottery class, which according to guidance counselorRebecca Haberman, demonstrates her desire 'to better herselfintellectually but also creatively.' With a 4.97 GPA, Hart ranksthird in her class and is in the National Honor Society. For the lastthree years, she has explored her interest in medicine byvolunteering in the pediatric outpatient ward of the UMass MedicalCenter in Worcester. Hart also works on Algonquin's Athletic Counciland the Steering Committee, volunteers at youth basketball clinics,and teaches Sunday School. Somehow she also has time to be a standoutthree-sport athlete, including the soccer team's Defensive Player ofthe Year, basketball captain, and a Central Mass. lacrosse All-Star.'Her high standard of excellence is authentic and genuine,' saidStephen Godbout, Hart's former history teacher and soccer coach. 'Shehad the unusual ability to inspire the players and students aroundher to raise their own level of performance by following her powerfulexample.'
DISTRICT H ANDREW FARRELL, BC HIGH COLUMBIA
Farrell earned a 3.8 GPA, took nine Advanced Placement or honorscourses, won two BC High Scholar-Athlete Awards, and threw for a 1.62ERA this spring. But his most impressive number, perhaps, is three.Farrell was captain of three varsity teams this year - football,indoor track, and baseball - and is the first BC High athlete tocaptain three teams since the early 1980s. In football, Farrell wasnamed a Catholic Conference All-Star as a junior. He also earned anod to the Tri-County League All-Star team for track this winter andwas conference Rookie of the Year for baseball as a sophomore. Thisspring, Farrell has limted opposing batters to a .193 average andnotched 54 strikeouts in 43 innings. 'In addition to being anexcellent student and athlete, Andy is an outstanding young man,'assistant football and baseball coach John Lynch said. 'He is truly aperson of integrity and character.' As a member of the National HonorSociety, Farrell tutors underclassmen and he volunteers at bothhomeless and animal shelters and as a lector with his church.
Kathryn Powers, Austin Prep
WILLIAMS
In the 12 years since Austin Prep began admitting females, nonehave made a mark on the athletic program like Powers. Since eighthgrade, she has played varsity hockey and softball, and as a junior,helped to found the volleyball team. She has captained five squadsand earned as many league All-Star awards. In hockey, she holdsschool records for single-season (31) and career assists (79), and insoftball, for career put-outs (852) and assists by a catcher (57).She has 155 career hits, second all-time, and she boasts a .435career batting average. Powers is also decorated academically,ranking second in her class with a 3.96 GPA. 'She may be the mostdedicated and highest ranking academic student athlete, male orfemale, in the schools' past 12 years,' softball coach and historyteacher David Gramling said. Powers has won gold medals in theNational Science and Latin Olympiads, is in the National HonorSociety, and is Student Council president. She also cooks and servesbreakfast at a shelter each month and teaches CCD to fourth graders.
BOSTON ANDRE CAMPBELL, BOSTON ENGLISH BUCKNELL
'Andre epitomizes achievement and excellence in all hisendeavors,' track coach Ryan Rud said of his Bucknell-bound star. Inthe classroom, Cambell has thrived despite a busy schedule thatincludes serving as senior class president, captaining the indoor andoutdoor track teams since his junior year, and working part-time inhis parents' restaurant. He boasts a 3.9 GPA, ranks fourth in hisclass of almost 300, and is a member of the National Honor Society.He also participated in Boston University's Upward Bound program, isa member of the Mock Trial Team, on the yearbook committee, and runscross-country. On the track, Campbell holds school records in the 55-meter hurdles, 110 hurdles, and triple jump. He was named a BostonCity League All-Star twice for each track season, and has advanced asfar as the state finals. According to Rud, 'Andre has proven hismerit in daunting circumstances time after time. As both student andathlete, Andre achieved success through determination, high ethicalstandards, and a desire to improve himself and those around him.'
Yahfreisy DelCarmen, Dorchester
VIRGINIA UNION
As a captain of the Dorchester High School track team, DelCarmenhas the responsibility of checking up on teammates' academic progressand highlighting possible problems - a task that many would finddifficult when working with peers. According to coach and Economicsand Business Academy Program Director Zachary Robbins, DelCarmenhandles the responsibility well. 'Yahfreisy's maturity level isunusual for a young lady her age, and she is a fantastic role modelfor the team and the school. Yahfreisy adds wonderful things to theculture of the school,' he said. As the class valedictorian,DelCarmen has clearly excelled in the classroom, as reflected in her4.2 GPA and a recent Outstanding African-American Studies and Pre-Calculus award. DelCarmen is also a leader in the school's Army JROTCprogram and is involved in student government. On the track, the two-year captain is a standout as well, and she recently won the 300hurdles at the City Championship. DelCarmen holds school records inthe 300 and 55-meter hurdles, 400, and high jump.
