Northwest Catholic Honors Students at Academic and Service Awards Ceremony
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Academic Dean John Cusson presents Katharine Jessen of Colebrook an award for being the Class of 2017 Valedictorian. Jessen was also recognized for her work in AP Spanish as well as Instrumental Music, and for being a CIAC Scholar Athlete, National Merit Finalist, and Superintendent Summa Scholar. Jessen will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Submitted photo
West Hartford’s Northwest Catholic High School presented awards in a variety of disciplines as well as for extracurricular and athletic achievements.
Submitted by Maureen Scudder, Northwest Catholic High School
On June 1, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford honored students at its annual Academic and Service Awards Ceremony.
Plaques, certificates, and books were presented to top students and outstanding citizens in the Northwest Catholic community.
Awards were given in each of the disciplines – English, world languages, math, science, social studies, religion, and the fine and performing arts. University Book Awards were given to juniors who excelled academically and met the criteria of the sponsoring colleges, such as a student having a positive influence on the community, showing an interest in business, demonstrating leadership qualities, etc.
Artistic/Communications Awards were given to students who distinguished themselves in extracurricular arts programs, school publications, and mock trial.
Athletic/Academic Achievement Awards were given to students who stood out in athletics, academics, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Service Awards were given to students who showed a willingness to both serve and unify others.
Citizenship Awards were presented to students who demonstrated exceptional qualities of citizenship and an active interest in the political process.
Academic Honors Awards were presented to students for superior academic achievement, such as to the school’s National Merit Scholars and Superintendent Summa Awardees.
Lastly, the two Class of 2017 Salutatorians, John Allen and Rachel Conover, and the Valedictorian, Katharine Jessen, were honored.
This special evening also included the recognition of a teacher who had the greatest impact on the senior class. President David Eustis explained, “We asked the seniors, ‘Who had the greatest impact on your four years at Northwest Catholic? Not who was the nicest or who was the easiest, but who had the greatest impact?’”
Eustis, last year’s recipient math teacher Deborah Metzler, 2017 Class President Christopher Ravosa, and National Honors Society President Kevin Eustis presented the Impact Teacher of the Year Award to Mr. Scott Fletcher. Fletcher has taught science at Northwest Catholic for 32 years and is also the varsity boys’ golf coach.
The administrators also recognized two members of the community who are retiring this year – Academic Dean John Cusson and Science Department Chair Virginia Murphy, who together served the school for over 40 years.
Faculty members also thanked President Eustis for his four years of service. Eustis will become the Headmaster of Xavier High School in Middletown July 1.
For a complete list of the awardees at Northwest Catholic’s Academic and Service Awards Ceremony, visit http://tiny.cc/
To see more photos from NWC’s Academic and Service Awards Ceremony, visit http://tiny.cc/
Academic Dean John Cusson presents Katharine Jessen of Colebrook an award for being the Class of 2017 Valedictorian. Jessen was also recognized for her work in AP Spanish as well as Instrumental Music, and for being a CIAC Scholar Athlete, National Merit Finalist, and Superintendent Summa Scholar. Jessen will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Submitted photo
President David Eustis presents John Allen of Burlington an award for being a class of 2017 Salutatorian. Allen will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Submitted photo
Academic Dean John Cusson presents Rachel Conover of Windsor an award for being a Class of 2017 Salutatorian. Conover will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Submitted photo
Science Department Chair Virginia Murphy receives a standing ovation from the students on stage and the audience as she is retiring after 25 years of service to Northwest Catholic. Submitted photo
Academic Dean John Cusson is also recognized as he is retiring after 17 years of service. President David Eustis, who is moving to Xavier High School, gets a hug from Dean of Students Elizabeth McCarthy. Submitted photo
