After an encouraging introduction by Erin Burke’22, National Honor Society president, Mr. Jason Schlereth, president; Miss Kerry Carroll’04, principal; Mrs. Alice Rogers, assistant principal of students; and Mrs. Maureen Layng, assistant principal for academics, announced students who earned Honors and Distinguished Honors, in addition to those students who won a variety of special awards.

During the 2020-21 academic year, 55 students made Distinguished Honors each semester by earning averages of 95% or better and ­­­219 students made Honors each semester by earning averages of 90% or better. These outstanding students deserve recognition for their academic achievements, especially as they endured the hybrid model of both in-person and remote learning all last year. 

Additionally, congratulations are extended to the following students who were recognized with book awards distributed by various colleges and universities, in addition to IHA’s 2021 Promising Young Scientist Award.

The St. Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience recognizes an outstanding student and member of the National Honor Society who demonstrates a strong commitment to volunteerism and leadership in her community: Madelyn Panebianco’22 and Lauren Plastina’22 

The Saint Anselm College Book Award is presented to a student who demonstrates academic success and exceptional leadership qualities in the area of civic engagement. The recipient should also embody the values inherent in the college’s Benedictine tradition: Gabriella Fava’22

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in math and science. Medalists who apply and are accepted to Rensselaer will receive a minimum yearly scholarship of $25,000: Riley McGovern’22 

The University of Rochester’s Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award is named in honor of two of Rochester’s most significant pioneers of social justice. This award, given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the humanities and social sciences, honors a student committed to understanding and addressing difficult social issues. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester, will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000: Sanaiya Villanueva’22

The University of Rochester’s Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award is given each year in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. Recipients of the award must have achieved high PSAT or SAT Math scores and must make positive contributions to their school and their community. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester, will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000: Jenna Savino’22

The University of Rochester’s Xerox Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the pursuit of innovation. Recipients of this award must demonstrate a flair for creativity and an appreciation for the possibilities of technology. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester, will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000: Sarah Vella’22

The University of Rochester’s George Eastman Young Leaders Award is given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership both in and out of the classroom. Recipients of this award must additionally demonstrate extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester, will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000: Jessica Boyd’22

The University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award celebrates high school students around the US who demonstrate that spirit of citizenship and scholarship. These are students who have been nominated by their high schools and are then selected by the University. Students who have been chosen for this honor, are not just excellent students, they are dedicated leaders in their school community. This is the first year IHA has a student who was selected by UVM: Kayla Arone’22

Additionally, IHA has one in-house award thanks to a generous donor that is presented annually to a member of the junior class. The Promising Young Scientist Award recognizes an outstanding student, who after her sophomore year had the highest cumulative GPA in science and has expressed a strong interest in the field of Science. This year’s award, a plaque, and a check for $500 was awarded to Emma Dillane’23.

Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Patrizia Tersigni and Tara Hopfenspirger.