Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover Announces Highest Honors Students

Stephen Foley, Upper School Principal at Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover, announces the students who have achieved Highest Honors from the class of 2011. These students have maintained a weighted numeric grade average of at least a 96 from the first quarter of freshman year through to the third quarter of senior year. Commencement is set for Saturday June 11 at 10 a.m. at Bethany Church in Greenland.

Karissa LeClair, valedictorian, is the daughter of Bob and Sue LeClair of York, ME. Karissa will be attending Boston College in the fall and will pursue a pre-med path while majoring in biology. Karissa was also accepted at Boston University, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University.

Karissa has maintained highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She has played varsity basketball for four years, and served as a captain in her senior year. She volunteers with the non-profit organization Coaching Our Youth, which aims to bring sports to disadvantaged children. In addition, she has coached junior high boys’ football in York, as well as junior high girls’ basketball at PCA.

Karissa was chosen as a College Board National Hispanic Scholar. In her sophomore year, she was a winner of the Colonial Dames essay contest, which provided her with a scholarship to attend the weeklong Washington Workshops in Washington, D.C. Additionally, she was chosen to the NHIAA Girls Division Four Basketball All-Star Team for the 2011 season.

Karissa attends Connect Community Church in Portsmouth, where she volunteers as a nursery worker. She has played AAU basketball for the Seacoast Storm during the fall and spring seasons throughout her high school career. Karissa works for the family-owned company Shore-Built Construction during the summer.

Leah Pervere, salutatorian, is the daughter of Mike Pervere and Rebecca Barnes-Pervere of Somersworth, NH and Fairfield, CT. Leah will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall and will pursue a degree in Biochemistry. She was also accepted to the UNH Honors Program.

Leah has maintained highest honors status for the past four years at Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She will be graduating with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) diploma. Leah has been a member of the girl’s Tennis Club for the past four years. She was a member of the Math Team for two years and a member of the Spanish Club for three years.

Leah has received a WPI Chemistry & Biochemistry Merit Scholarship. In her junior year, she was a winner of the Colonial Dames essay contest, which provided her with a scholarship to attend the weeklong Washington Workshops in Washington, D.C. During her sophomore year, Leah’s science fair project won second place in the chemistry category at the New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition.

Leah works part-time as an Aftercare Assistant at PCA’s after-school care program. She plays the trumpet, and has performed in the Dover Community Band for the past four summers. She also volunteers frequently for New Hampshire State Parks.

Veronica Anatone is the daughter of Kate and Chris Anatone of Dover, NH. Veronica will be attending Springfield College in the fall to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). Veronica was also accepted to physical therapy programs at Boston University, Ithaca College, and the University of Vermont, as well as health science programs at Quinnipiac University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of New Hampshire.

Veronica maintained high honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. Veronica has been a member of the Ambassadors Club all four years of high school and has played at the varsity level for the PCA Eagles’ volleyball, basketball and softball teams. Veronica received numerous state recognitions for volleyball and softball, and plans to play volleyball for Springfield College in the fall.

Veronica’s academic and athletic accomplishments earned her a President’s Achiever Scholarship from Springfield College. Veronica was also recognized with the NHIAA Scholar Athlete Award her senior year.

Veronica has worked full-time during the past five summers as a camp counselor. Veronica also participated in domestic and international community service events with The Timberland Company, City Year and Cocheco Valley Humane Society.

Eric Baker is the son of Alfred Baker of Springvale, ME and Lynn Brooks of Lebanon, ME, and the stepson of Emily Baker and Tim Brooks. He will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he will pursue a degree in nuclear engineering. He was also accepted to the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, Penn State University, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois.

Eric achieved highest honors status all four years while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. He has participated on PCA’s Quiz Club throughout high school. During his senior year, Eric served as captain of the team, and led the team to a semi-final berth in NHPTV’s Granite State Challenge, the New Hampshire Quiz Bowl League Seacoast regional championship and state finals, and first place in the state in the fall 2010 Knowledge Master Online competition. During his sophomore, junior and senior years, he was a member of the Math Team, which won its district championship all three years. He also played varsity baseball for three years and recently earned a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Eric has received the Comcast “Leaders and Achievers” scholarship, as well as a merit scholarship from RPI. He was also a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. In his sophomore year, Eric was a winner of the Colonial Dames essay contest, winning a trip to the Washington Workshops in Washington, D.C.

Katii Capern is the daughter of Mike and Donna Capern of Dover, NH. She has maintained high or highest honors at Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She was accepted to American University, Clark University, UNH Honors Program, Ryerson University, University of King's College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and University of Toronto. Passionate about photojournalism and world cultures, she will pursue her interests as a photography major at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario.

Katii has been an avid participant in PCA theater for five years, helping both on and off the stage in eight productions, culminating in her fall 2010 lead role in The Curious Savage. She has been a member of Student Council for three years, and was copy editor of the PCA yearbook as a sophomore and junior. She has been involved in Quiz Club, International Club, Ambassador's Club, and other school activities. Last fall, Katii was also one of four PCA semi-finalists on NHPTV's Granite State Challenge.

She has regularly contributed her photos and creative work to several communications venues and arts opportunities at her school and church. She enjoys dancing as well as playing piano and guitar, and has performed at school coffeehouses. At St. John's United Methodist in Dover, Katii's involvement has included music, dance, youth group, and helping at VBS summer programs. She worked at Tuttle's Red Barn and also volunteers at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire. In February 2011, she traveled on a mission trip to New Orleans, documenting the team's experiences while rebuilding Hurricane Katrina-damaged homes. This summer, Katii will participate in the Leaders-in-Training program at her summer camp, Wanakee.

Molly Joyce is the daughter of David and Erica Joyce of Stratham, NH. Molly will be attending Boston University in the fall and will be studying biology. She will also be completing a pre-medical requisite to pursue a career as a doctor. Molly was also accepted at Fordham University, the University of Vermont, Fairfield University, Providence College, and the University of New Hampshire.

Molly maintained highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She served as a member and president of the Pink Ribbon Club, an organization that raises money for breast cancer research and gives assistance to cancer stricken patients. Molly also participated in International Club every year.

Molly attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in 2010. She also participated in Phillips Exeter Summer School for the past three summers. Molly plays tennis year round. She participated in the tennis program at PCA for all four years. Molly has taken piano lessons for ten years and often entertains residents at nursing homes, and is involved in volunteer work including Habitat for Humanity.

Jennifer Lee (Jenny) is the daughter of Woodrow and Maureen Lee of Kennebunk, ME. Jenny will be attending Cedarville University in the fall and will pursue a degree in elementary education. Jenny was also accepted to Eastern Nazarene College and The Master’s College. Jenny has received a Cedarville University Academic Excellence Scholarship and a Diversity Scholarship as well.

Jenny has maintained high honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She participated on both the junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams as a middle blocker. Jenny has also served as a member of the Missions Club/World Vision Club throughout her high school career, and she has traveled to Belize, Central America twice on mission trips. Her first trip was during her freshman year, where she was an active participant in building a house for a single mother with three children, conducting Vacation Bible School lessons for hundreds of Belizean children, and also helping organize classrooms and cleaning up the mission compound. It was during these trips that she realized that God was calling her to teach children and to pursue a career in the field of education.

Jenny was homeschooled during her second semester of her sophomore year, as well as her junior year. While maintaining an excellent high school GPA both at PCA and in home school, Jenny took six college courses totaling 15 college credits at York County Community College in Wells, Maine.

Jenny attends Messiah Christian Church in Wells, Maine, where she is an active member of the worship team, a Sunday school teacher, a youth group member, and volunteer for church events. Jenny also works as a file clerk and cleaner at Seacoast Medical Care in Biddeford, Maine where she has been employed for a few years.

Kylie McCoy is the daughter of Joseph and Jacqueline McCoy of Hampton, NH. Kylie will be attending Northeastern University in the fall, where she will be competing in cross-country and track for the NCAA Division 1 Huskies. Boston University, Clemson University, Syracuse University, Duke University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Mississippi, among others, also recruited Kylie. She is currently contemplating communications, public relations, and pharmacy as potential majors.

Kylie has maintained high honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She attended Winnacunnet High School through her junior year, where her achievements included cross country and track Scholar-Athlete Award, high honor roll student, member of the Math Team, Astronomy Club, and a National Forum on Medicine at George Mason University nominee. She transferred to Portsmouth Christian Academy her senior year and has enjoyed continued success academically and socially.

Kylie attends St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Rye, NH, where she is an active member and frequent altar server. Kylie works part time at Hollister Clothing store at Fox Run Mall. This past fall, Kylie competed in the Miss Teen USA Pageant. In her spare time, Kylie spends time relaxing with her family, her sisters, Molly and Mercedes and her friends.

Sarah Pease is the daughter of Chip and Cathy Pease of Dover, NH. Sarah will be attending Northeastern University in Boston, where she will major in English. She was also accepted at Stonehill College, the University of New Hampshire Honors Program, and DePaul University’s Honors Program.

Sarah has maintained high honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She served on Student Council, and was involved in Prom Committee and International Club. Sarah played four years of soccer and basketball for PCA. This year, she also helped coach the junior high girls’ basketball team. She was selected to the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches’ Organization Academic Honor Roll both junior and senior year and received the NHIAA Scholar Athlete Award this year.

In her junior year, Sarah was a winner of the Colonial Dames of America National Essay Contest, which provided her with a scholarship to attend the week-long Washington Workshops seminar in Washington, D.C. She also received a Dean’s Scholarship to Northeastern University. Sarah was a member of a mission’s team from her church, Durham Evangelical, and traveled to Haiti in 2009, and she plans to return this summer.

Kelley Plante is the daughter of Ken and Elaine Plante of Dover, NH. Kelley will be attending Drexel University in the fall and will pursue a degree in music industry on a significant annual scholarship. Kelley was also accepted to New York University, University of Southern California, Northeastern University, and Belmont University.

Kelley has maintained high or highest honors while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She served as a leader and as a vocalist on the worship team for four years, and was appointed to other school-wide leadership roles in her senior year. Kelley also worked on the Prom Committee and led the Coffee House Committee.

Outside of school, Kelley works at the clothing store Pac Sun in Kittery, ME. Kelley has danced with Brixham Dance works for many years and was a member of the Senior Repertory Company. She took piano, guitar, and music theory lessons throughout high school and enjoys playing at open mic nights around the seacoast area. Kelley performed in musicals and with different choral groups as well.

Kelley will continue to play guitar, ukulele, and sing in small venues throughout college. She plans on using her musical abilities and training as well as her music industry degree from Drexel to become a music producer.

Ellen Scire is the daughter of William and Penny Scire. She is finishing her high school education in three years, and will be graduating with high honors. Ellen has been accepted to Simmons College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the University of New England, Wingate University, Emmanuel College, and the University of Connecticut. As well as being accepted to these schools, Ellen has received several merit scholarships, and a Presidential Scholarship from Simmons.

In addition to her academics, Ellen participates in various clubs that her school offers, such as Missions Club, Pink Ribbon Club, Prom Committee, and Spanish Club. She is also an active runner, and works as a camp counselor during the summer.

Victoria Stahre is the daughter of Nancy Aldrich and stepdaughter of Stephen Aldrich of Durham, NH. Victoria will be attending the University of Miami in the fall, pursuing a degree in business administration specializing in accounting.

Victoria was also accepted to the University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont and Emory University’s Oxford College.

Victoria has maintained high honors for all four years at Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She also served as Class Treasurer for the past three years, planning and assisting with many student programs and events. She was copy editor for the 2011 PCA yearbook. Victoria was also a member of PCA’s volleyball team for all four years including varsity, primarily playing defensive specialist.

Victoria has been an active volunteer at Portsmouth Regional Hospital throughout her high school career, working at registration and assisting patients in many capacities. She also works part time as a Sales Associate at the Polo Factory Store in Kittery, Maine.

Ai Tran is the son of Hien Tran and Sau Mai of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Since arriving in the United States, Ai has lived with his guardian, Stephen LaBranche of Hampton, NH. Ai will be attending Tulane University in New Orleans with a merit scholarship in the fall and will pursue a degree in Chemistry.

Ai has maintained highest honors status since entering Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover his sophomore year. During his three years at PCA, Ai has been a member of PCA’s Quiz Club and also the Math Team, winning top team and personal awards in local and state math competitions. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. During Ai’s junior year, he was the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award for excellence in mathematics and science. He also earned the highest GPA in AP Calculus and AP Chemistry during his junior year. In his senior year, Ai won first place for upperclassmen in the Life Science category at the annual school-wide Science Fair.

Ai attended Winnacunnet High School for his freshman year, where he achieved high honors and completed the International Student Exchange Program.

Ai has assisted at the annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival for three years, and has also volunteered over 150 hours to clean up the beach.

Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover is located in Dover, on a 50-acre riverside campus. PCA is the largest independent Christian school in New England. The Academy is a regional school bringing together approximately 600 students from three states for preschool through grade 12. PCA is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). PCA's Upper School is accredited by NEASC. PCA is approved for attendance by the state of New Hampshire.

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