York High School names top 10% students in Class of 2025

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11 hours ago

YORK, Maine — York High School has announced its top 10% of the Class of 2025.
Maxine Adelson is the daughter of Shea O'Neil and Jonathan Adelson. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society and has earned her State and Global Seal of Biliteracy for French. Maxine has received numerous academic awards, including the George Eastman Young Leaders Award and the Search for Knowledge Award, selected by YHS teachers.
During her time at YHS, she has served as co-president of Young Women's Leadership and co-president of Eco-Club, advocating for education and awareness around both women's rights and the environment. As a leader in the Plastic Reduction Task Force, Maxine has worked to design and lobby a successful single-use plastic reduction ordinance in town, serving on a town committee and collaborating in local legislation, and receiving the Natural Resources Council of Maine Conservation Leadership Award and a Legislative Sentiment for her efforts. Driven by policy change, she has worked to empower high school voices to push for the Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment in Maine in collaboration with State Rep. Holly Sargent.
Maxine has acted in every theater production in her high school career and served as the vice president of the Drama Club. With a passion for music, Maxine has participated in the YHS jazz ensemble throughout high school as a lead trumpet player and has performed through the jazz ensemble program at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center on trumpet, piano, and voice. Maxine has been a volunteer and lead educator for White Pine Programs, mentoring children in the woods through nature-based education during the school year and summers.
In the fall, Maxine will be attending Brandeis University and plans to major in anthropology with minors in climate policy and legal studies.
More: York High's Class of 2025 ready for what's next with 'grit, humility and quiet strength'
Chase Dolan, son of Jennifer and Kevin Dolan, is the valedictorian for the YHS Class of 2025. A committed student and avid volunteer at York Hospital, Chase demonstrated extensive involvement in his school and his community. At school, Chase was the MVP of the YHS Math Team, editor of the Agamenticus Sun Newspaper, and civil rights advocate on the YHS Civil Rights Team.
Additionally, he was involved in the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, and served as a senior facilitator for special education students. Outside of school, Chase is a dedicated classical pianist, playing piano for over 10 years while receiving lessons from Lori Gundlah.
During his free time, Chase volunteered in the Emergency Room of York Hospital, accumulating over 100 volunteer hours and earning the Maine Youth Volunteer Roll of Honor from the Governor. For his achievements in high school, Chase has earned the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, and the title of AP Scholar with Distinction.
Chase will continue his academic journey this fall at Northeastern University's honors program with a major in bioengineering & biochemistry.
Marcus Hamel, the son of Louis and Kim Hamel, has been a happy resident of York since birth. Growing up on the beach and in the woods, Marcus enjoyed being a camp counselor for White Pines during the summer, after growing up in many of their programs.
In his time at York High School, despite being a passionate procrastinator, Marcus has stayed on the honor/high honor roll, participating in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. In addition to academics, Marcus is a part of the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. Through high school, Marcus focused on AP math and science classes and settled on mechanical engineering as his field of study in college.
In the fall, he will attend the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Emma Joyce, daughter of Bryan and Heidi Joyce, was born and raised in the town of York. During her time at York High School, she has been a part of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society and is a class officer. She has also been actively involved in the Interact Club, as well as volunteering as a peer listener and camp counselor for both field hockey and lacrosse camps.
Additionally, Emma has participated in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse throughout high school. She has been awarded an Iron Wildcat and been nominated as a captain for all three sports her senior year.
In the fall, Emma plans to attend Quinnipiac University, where she will be majoring in health science studies on a pre-med track.
Peter T. Martin is the son of Deanna and Peter Martin and has a sister, Evie, who is a freshman at YHS. He is the vice president of the York chapter of the National Honor Society, most notably helping organize a food drive for the YCSA food pantry. A 1st Team All-Conference quarterback, Peter led the state in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions in his senior football season.
One of his proudest accomplishments is receiving the Western Maine Conference Citizenship Award, given to two students for excellence in athletics, leadership, and community service.
In his free time, Peter loves umpiring Little League games, playing the guitar and piano, and getting ice cream with his friends.
In the fall of 2025, Peter will attend the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, focusing on social studies.
Sophie Pike is the daughter of Joan LeBlanc and Bion Pike. She is a member of the National Honor Society and French Language Honor Society. She earned an AP Capstone Diploma and an AP Scholar Award. She was honored to receive the York Teachers' Association, Virginia and Robert Parsons, and Mike Sullivan scholarships for community service and leadership.
Sophie enjoyed volunteering in the special education classroom at Village Elementary School throughout her senior year. As a volunteer with Blue Ocean Society, she conducts beach cleanups and helps raise awareness about marine debris. She is an active member of the Young Women's Leadership Club at York High School, promoting women's social justice and health equity.
As an avid tennis player, Sophie played varsity first singles at York High School and served as a captain during her senior year. She received a Sportsmanship Award and competed in state singles and team championship rounds. Throughout her childhood, she trained year-round and competed in UTR and USTA tournaments. Last year, she became a PTR1 certified tennis coach and has volunteered to teach tennis at York Parks and Recreation, York Golf and Tennis Club, and other programs.
This fall, Sophie will attend Clemson University in South Carolina, where she will major in elementary education and play club tennis. She is excited about becoming a special education teacher to help children enjoy learning while achieving their full potential.
Liam Pulsifer is the son of Carrie and Jason Pulsifer and the brother of Nora Pulsifer. He has spent his last four years participating in Varsity Boys Soccer and Varsity Boys Tennis, captaining both teams, and making the All-Conference Second Team for singles in tennis. To accompany these athletics, he has also coached young athletes in York for both sports, including creating a weekly training session during the fall for middle-school tennis players along with his teammates.
Outside of fostering a stronger community of athletes, Liam has also mentored younger students in high school, acting as a role model and leader for others to follow. He has received various awards, such as the University of Rochester Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award, the Global Seal of Biliteracy for French, as well as being a part of both the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society for French.
This fall, Liam will attend Northeastern with a major in computer science and biology.
Maren Robinson, daughter of Tony and Cindy Robinson, sister to Brady Robinson, has displayed excellence in and outside the classroom. Maren has taken twelve advanced placement classes over her high school career, earning multiple AP Scholar with Distinction awards. Maren has demonstrated proficiency in Spanish, earning her State Seal of Biliteracy during her junior year and her Global Seal of Biliteracy in her senior year.
Maren has earned multiple school awards for excellence in academics, including the York High School World Languages Senior Ambassador Award. At York High School, Maren founded the Model United Nations club, was an editor for the school newspaper, competed nationally for the speech and debate team, participated in the Young Women's Leadership Club, and was a member of the National Honor Society and World Languages Honor Society. Maren was selected to participate in the National Student Leadership Conference held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. During the ten-day conference, Maren studied politics and public policy with other student leaders from all over the United States.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Maren has made an impact in the community through her volunteer work. Serving as a peer listener and senior facilitator her senior year, Maren worked to form strong connections throughout the York school community.
Additionally, she volunteered as a coach for four years at her local Girls on the Run Program and volunteers for her local library. Athletics have also been a key part of Maren's high school career, as she has been a varsity starter for her high school softball team all four years of high school, and a team captain her senior year.
In the fall, Maren will be attending Middlebury College, where she will major in global and international studies with a track in global security. Maren will play softball for Middlebury's varsity team.
Sophie Scapicchio, daughter of Jessica Scapicchio and Stephen Scapicchio, is a dedicated student with a passion for learning and a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She has been participating in speech and debate for three years and the YHS Drama Club all four years of high school, also playing the flute in the YHS Concert Band.
She has received academic awards for AP Calculus BC, Honors Physics, AP Computer Science, and more, as well as earning her Seal of Biliteracy in French. In addition to academic achievements, she works at the York Public Library and volunteers at the First Parish Church Pumpkin Patch in the fall. Lastly, she is a National Merit Scholar and the recipient of a National Merit Scholarship, and was nominated for the Presidential Scholars Program.
Next year, she will attend Mount Holyoke College with a major in mathematics.
Harriet Watson, daughter of Jennifer and Eric Watson, was born and raised in York, Maine. She has received awards for excellence in English, AP Capstone, and Spanish, has been inducted into the Spanish Honor Society and has been a member of the Art Club all four years, serving as president in her senior year. Additionally, she has been a supportive member of a few other clubs.
During her free time over the summers, she likes to volunteer at her local library, which allows her not only the opportunity to share her love of literature with others and to connect with the patrons, but also a means for indulging her curiosity and desire to learn. When not volunteering, Harriet is often either engaged in some kind of creative pursuit like drawing, painting, or listening to music, or enjoying the company of friends. Harriet's proximity to the ocean all of her life has fostered and inspired her love of the marine environment, so it is not uncommon to find her outside, exploring the beach and investigating tide pools.
After a gap year to further explore, learn, and volunteer, Harriet will be attending Colgate University with a major in natural sciences with a focus on marine science.
Chloe Whitbread is the proud daughter of Krista Whitbread. She is president of the National Honor Society, a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, an actress in the drama club, and the president of TIDALWAVSE. During her senior year, she was a part of the field hockey and softball teams. She has been an influential captain of the speech and debate team, competing nationally five times across the country.
Additionally, Chloe founded Model United Nations at YHS. For the past four years, she has volunteered as a head coach with Strong Girls United, empowering young girls through sports and mentorship, as well as being a dedicated peer listener. Chloe has been an active member and president of the York High School eco-club.
Her passion for environmentalism led her to spearhead the passing of the Single-Use Plastic Foodware Town Ordinance, the most comprehensive plastic reduction ordinance in the state. Due to her commitment to conservation, she has been awarded the Natural Resource Council of Maine Conservation Leadership Award, in addition to receiving a legislative sentiment. During her sophomore year, Chloe was selected as a TEDx speaker, where she spoke on the importance of valuing life's journeys. She has further expressed her passion for advocacy as a member of the Hardy Girls Feminist Action Board.
Chloe has been recognized for her academic excellence with book awards from Dartmouth, Princeton, Brandeis, and the University of Vermont. Chloe is this year's recipient of the Maine Principals Association award and recipient of the Mitchell Scholarship and the Rotary Scholarship. Chloe has also been honored with the social studies book award for four years of excellence and will be graduating with an AP Capstone diploma.
In the fall, Chloe will be attending Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, with a major in public policy. She hopes to continue her passion for advocacy and leadership with a strong desire to change the world.
Evan Young is the son of Karen and Michael Young. He is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Throughout his time at YHS, Evan has excelled in STEM fields, earning awards in math and science classes, as well as in English and social studies classes. In addition, he has pursued his interest in world language, receiving the global seal of biliteracy in Spanish.
Outside the classroom, he has played on both the school's lacrosse and soccer teams. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, he has committed many hours to volunteering and working at the White Pine Program's nature-based outdoor education program to pass this love on to younger generations. He has also been actively involved in the YHS Interact Club.
To fulfill his passion for solving problems and (definitely not more importantly) adventuring in the mountains, Evan will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder, where he will be studying mechanical engineering.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York High School names top 10% students in Class of 2025