OAKLAND — Messalonskee High School has announced its top 10 seniors for the class of 2024.

They are listed by academic standing.

Anne Rebecca Stocco, class valedictorian, is the daughter of MacGregor and Janet Stocco of Belgrade. She is an academically gifted scholar, is rich in humanitarian values, and is a committed member of the school community. She has exclusively achieved the rank of high honors with distinction, has been named as an AP Scholar, and is a member/secretary of the National Honor Society. Stocco also is the recipient of the MPA Principal’s Award for 2024.

Always challenging herself in the classroom, she has successfully completed numerous Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and college courses. She was the recipient of the Williams College Book Award last year. She has been a member of the cross country running team and was selected as team captain her junior year. Stocco is devoted to her pursuit of dance, committing several hours every week on her own skill development, as well as teaching younger dance students. She is a member of key club, Girl Up Club, and the cultural awareness club at MHS. She has far surpassed the school community service requirement and continues to give back to her community by volunteering her time and energy to local service organizations.

Stocco plans to attend Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, with a focus on psychology and neuroscience.

Lily Mae Mitchell, class salutatorian, is the daughter of Dawn and Chris Mitchell of Sidney. She has been at the top of her class throughout her four years of high school and will have successfully completed numerous Advanced Placement and college courses by the time she graduates. She has achieved the rank of high honors with distinction during every quarter and has been named as an AP Scholar. She was the recipient of the Saint Michael’s College Book Award, received countless content area awards and is serving as the vice president of the National Honor Society.

Mitchell is a dedicated member of the MHS Band and has been selected to the Mid-Maine Youth Orchestra, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Kennebec Valley Honor Band. She participated in the volleyball program for her junior and senior seasons and is actively involved in the MHS Girl Up Club where she serves as secretary. She is a peer tutor and has helped countless students with their studies.

In the fall, Mitchell plans to attend Brown University to major in computer engineering.

Brynn Nicole Lilly is the daughter of Ryan and Cortney Lilly of Oakland. She is dedicated to her studies evidenced by her numerous Advanced Placement and college courses as well as her place on the school’s honor roll, where she has exclusively achieved the rank of high honors with distinction. She is an AP Scholar, received the National Rural and Small Town recognition award, was named as the recipient of the Brandeis University Book Award and is the historian of the National Honor Society.

She is an editor for the Eagle Talon yearbook and is the founder and president of the Girl Up Club. She is also involved in athletics and has participated in both the swim and tennis programs. Lilly is a dedicated peer tutor who has helped countless students with their academic needs and she has volunteered many hours through the MHS Key Club. In the fall,

Lilly plans to attend the University of Maine where she will major in biomedical engineering.

Heidi Marie Quist is the daughter of Chris and Paula Quist of Oakland. She has earned high honors with distinction exclusively throughout her high school career, earned an AP biology award and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has earned recognition through the College Board as an AP Scholar and a rural and small town scholar.

Quist also received a recognition award for her commitment to the ShineOnCass organization. She is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, student council, key club, and the greenhouse club. Along with all of her academic accomplishments, she has also been named to the All-Conference first team and was named most valuable player for her commitment to the tennis team.

Quist plans to study biology and statistics at the University of Pittsburgh next fall.

Grayson Louis Podey is the son of Aaron and Pamela Podey of China. He is passionate about music and has been a member of the concert and jazz bands throughout his high school career. He is a member of both the Tri-M and National Honor Societies. Podey has exclusively achieved high honors with distinction and has earned several academic awards including the pre-calculus and economics awards. He has taken a number of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses and has been recognized as an AP scholar.

Along with being a gifted scholar, he is a tremendous athlete. He has been a member of the soccer, golf, tennis, and hockey teams and has been recognized for his talent in hockey. Podey was a member of the state championship hockey team and also earned an All-Conference Academic award in his junior year. He has volunteered his time at the China Library and as a camp counselor.

Podey plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall, with a focus of study on computer science.

Kirsten King Frost is the daughter of David and Sharon Frost of Oakland. She is a leader in the classroom, in countless clubs and founded The Cultural Awareness Club. She has also received the student of the month recognition her sophomore year. She is a vital member of The National Honor Society (NHS) and also the volunteer coordinator for NHS.

Frost has been a member of Key Club for four years and she contributes greatly to her community by volunteering countless hours at the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) and Big Brothers Big Sisters weekly. She has played tennis for four years, became the captain of the tennis team and she achieved the rank of #1 singles tennis player. She is a class representative and has achieved High Honors with Distinction every quarter of her high school career.

Frost plans to attend William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia to major in biology this fall.

Eileen May Weatherbie is the daughter of Blair and Poohnay Weatherbie of Waterville. She has earned high honors with distinction consistently throughout high school, is a member of the Tri-M and National Honor Societies, and has taken a number of advanced placement, dual enrollment, and accelerated courses. Weatherbie has been recognized as a student of the month and was the recipient of the Wesleyan Book Award. She was also given an English award for her achievements within our school. She has a deep sense of social responsibility and is a morally grounded young woman who is an amazing representative of the student body.

Along with her academic talents, Weatherbie has been an active member of the music program at Messalonskee High School serving as vice president of the band program and competing in several district and Kennebec Valley competitions. She has been involved with the Girl Up and the Cultural Awareness clubs, and has exceeded the school’s  community service requirement. Most importantly she always has a positive attitude, a sunny disposition, and a desire to help those around her.

Weatherbie plans to attend Colby College in the fall with a focus of study on education.

Elijah Jay Nelsen is the son of Laura and Shane Nelsen of Oakland. He has served in many leadership roles, serving as treasurer, class representative and vice president. He has participated in countless clubs, activities and teams, and has been a consistent member of the MHS Instrumental Band.

Nelsen has been on the cross country, swim and tennis teams and has been a fixture of the Math team. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the National Honor Society and has been on the school’s honor roll, achieving high honors with distinction during every quarter. He was named as the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award and also received the Rural Recognition Award through the College Board.

Nelsen plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh where he will major in English.

Elise Carol McDonald is the daughter of Heidi and Peter McDonald of Belgrade. She has committed significant time to all of her endeavors and has the accolades to prove it. McDonald has achieved the rank of high honors with distinction exclusively, and was selected to the National Honor Society and has been named an AP Scholar.

She has participated in three athletic programs, basketball, volleyball and softball, and has been named to all-conference teams for her volleyball and softball accomplishments. She has assisted with youth programs and camps for basketball and volleyball and is a great role model for younger athletes in the community. She also makes time to listen and learn music and has taught herself to play the guitar.

In the fall, McDonald plans to major in engineering at the University of Vermont.

Peyton Vance Perkins is the daughter of Jonathan Perkins and Diane Perkins-Vance of Rome. She is a leader with a strong sense of responsibility and an ability to maintain composure under pressure. Perkins has taken an active role in student council and National Honor Society acting as president of both organizations.

She has also given a great deal of her time and energy to service organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and ShineOnCass. She has a great deal of compassion and makes a point of helping others whenever she can. By the time she graduates, she will have successfully completed a number of Advanced Placement, accelerated, and dual enrollment college courses. Perkins has consistently earned high honors with distinction, was the recipient of the St. Anselm College Book Award, and was also recognized as a student of the month in her junior year. Along with being a serious scholar, she is an exceptional soccer player. She was chosen as a team captain this year, once again proving her leadership abilities.

Perkins plans to attend the University of New England in the fall, with a focus on medical biology and pre-med.

 

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