Abigail’s innovative spirit can be seen throughout the Quaboag Regional Music and Theater programs. There has not been a more dedicated member of the Theater Department. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the program can be seen in her work both on stage and behind the scenes. Helping the directing staff to think outside the box has helped to make shows a tremendous success over the past several years.

 Abigail is currently the National Honor Society President. Her ability to organize and mobilize a group of her peers to accomplish tasks both in the community and school is inspiring. Often when things need to be done, the administration goes to Abigail first to get to the ball rolling. She leads by example, never afraid to jump in and get her hands dirty when doing a project—and she leads with a smile on her face.

A West Brookfield resident, Abigail is also involved in the school community and the communities of Warren and West Brookfield, and can be seen leading and participating in the towns’ Memorial Day Parades as a member of the band, running fundraisers to help raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital through the National Honor Society and singing at the Warren Tree Lighting Ceremonies with the Quaboag Chorus.

Arianna is a member of the National Honor Society, a peer mentor, science fair team leader, and student government fundraiser coordinator. With a goal of becoming a registered nurse in pediatrics, she became first-aid certified for infants, children and adults at the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club. She also serves as an assistant occupational therapist at Sensory SpOT in Wilbraham, where she plays with the children and assists in functional therapy sessions for children with sensory issues.

Ari has deepened her experience with children as a babysitter for the past seven years and also serves as an assistant group leader at the Boys & Girls Club in West Springfield, planning monthly activities, hosting group events, preparing snacks, and caring for and playing with children.

In addition to maintaining a GPA over 4.0 while managing a full slate of extracurricular activities, Ari is active in her community, including making sandwiches for the Springfield Rescue Mission’s Operation SonShine mobile feeding program, reading to elementary school classrooms as part of Read Across America, and tutoring at West Springfield Middle School.

Asher participates in a number of different school committees and programs that support inclusion, respect, and dignity, one of which is called Connections. Southwick Regional School was in the national news last year for a disturbing bullying incident. Although Asher didn’t know those impacted personally, he knew something had to be done. He believed it was important enough to stand up for those students and speak on their behalf at multiple school committee meetings where attendance was the highest ever. He was subsequently invited to meet with the school superintendent and sit on two committees to help enact change.

Asher’s extracurricular activities demonstrate his passion for sustainability, world dynamics, and his impact on the world. He is active in his school’s Mock Trial, Model Congress, Unified Peer Mentoring Program, National Honor Society, and more. He completed Anti-Bias and Bullying Training by the ADL and The Change Makers and has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named a Global Glimpse Ambassador.

In addition, Asher received a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program, which has connected him with small farmers, the Special Olympics, the Jimmy Fund Walk, Christmas in the City, and more.

Caidence has exhibited an outstanding, innovative spirit through her proactive approach to teaching and learning. In her world language class, she has taken the initiative to prepare lessons for freshman students, demonstrating a strong, solution-oriented mindset by creating games as a way to engage with the students. Her decision to gain hands-on experience in education while still in high school showcases her entrepreneurial and forward-thinking approach.

Caidence’s active participation in Student Council and the National Honor Society shows her ability to delegate, organize, and inspire others. She is a role model both academically and artistically. Her dedication to dance throughout high school further exemplifies her perseverance, discipline, and teamwork—key leadership attributes. Additionally, her recognition in the College Board’s National First-Generation Recognition Program highlights her resilience and determination as a trailblazer in her family’s pursuit of higher education. She consistently demonstrates integrity, respect, and a collaborative spirit, making her a natural leader in both academic and extracurricular settings.

Whether through her work in Student Council, the National Honor Society, or mentoring younger students, Caidence consistently seeks ways to positively impact her peers. Her involvement in community events and activism demonstrates her passion for making a difference beyond the classroom. Through her volunteerism and leadership, she fosters a culture of kindness, support, and engagement with a deep awareness of the importance of community involvement.

Cameryn joined the Restorative Justice team at Holyoke High to help people, but quickly realized the goal wasn’t just about resolving conflict. It was about seeing the weight people carry, the kind that isn’t always visible. She started to notice patterns, such as how students were being disciplined without ever being asked what they were going through. She brought empathy into the room and listened differently, asking questions no one else was asking. She wasn’t following a system; she was helping reshape it. Sometimes, that meant speaking up, sometimes, it meant guiding a conversation in a different direction. This is a lesson Cameryn plans to carry into her career and community, believing change starts when people feel heard.

When it comes to serving as senior captain on the tennis team, Cameryn leads by example, whether that’s on the court during practices or offering support and motivation to her teammates. Throughout her high school years, she has participated in opportunities to give back to the community, including volunteering in healthcare settings, such as at Baystate Children’s Hospital, which reinforced her passion for a career in healthcare.

Whether working with the Community Closet, an organization at her school that provides clothing to those in need, or with the Jericho program, which serves individuals with disabilities, Cameryn is passionate about connecting with different parts of her community to help build a more supportive, caring environment for everyone.

With a desire to enter into the accounting field, Howard spends much of his free time working on spreadsheet development in Excel to master formulas and functions. He will be sitting for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Excel by the end of the school year. To build his production, advertising, and sales skills, he also helps operate Pathfinder’s student-run store, The Pioneer Lodge, and the student-run Design + Copy Print Center.

Howard plans to attend the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst this fall, where he will major in accounting with the goal of achieving his master’s degree and becoming a CPA. A member of the National Honor Society, he was awarded the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship based on his high MCAS scores. Howard has also been active in Junior Achievement, participating in the EnTEENpreneur Challenge and the Stock Market Challenge, coming in first place in 2023, as well as the Business Professionals of America State Leadership Competition.

A resident of Belchertown, Howard brings an energy and enthusiasm for education that is infectious, and is also a committed athlete as a member of the golf, lacrosse and wrestling teams, serving as team captain for the latter two.

Juliana has exemplified an innovative spirit through her work at the Chicopee Chick-fil-A^®, where she achieved Certified Trainer status and transitioned to the hospitality side of the restaurant, contributing to a more caring and appreciative restaurant environment. For example, she created the “Occasions to Care” program, which is designed to express gratitude towards local heroes, such as first responders, military personnel, and children, illustrating her ability to innovate in fostering community connections. For her work, she was recognized with the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Future Scholars Scholarship.

In her role as a career intern at Alianza Domestic Violence Services, Juliana is developing a project aimed at raising awareness and educating students about healthy relationships and teen violence. This reflects her forward-thinking approach to addressing critical social issues among her peers, demonstrating her desire to make a meaningful impact. Additionally, as part of the student government, Juliana leads a teacher appreciation project that provides thoughtful gifts to more than 100 teachers and staff members.

Juliana also actively participates in school government and various clubs, serving as an officer for the National Honor Society, member of the student council, junior class treasurer, and the founder of aLight club, a bible study program. Through these activities and others, Juliana clearly embodies an innovative spirit while actively seeking ways to improve her community and support those around her.

An award-winning gymnast and drum major in the Palmer High Band, Kassandra has spirit in spades. She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, and is currently working on achieving the group’s highest award, the Gold Award, by implementing book boxes in Palmer parks to help inspire a love of reading in younger children. Kassandra has also served as captain of her school’s Relay for Life team for the past three years. Hers was the top fundraising team for the first two years, a goal she is hoping to achieve again this year.

Kassandra has an undeniable passion for scientific research. Last summer, the Monson resident was selected to participate in the prestigious Engineering in the Cell program for young women under the mentorship of Dr. Shelly Peyton at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, Kassandra gained hands-on experience in cancer research, learning techniques such as feeding and splitting cells and studying how cancer spreads using mouse tissue samples. This experience not only reinforced her desire to pursue a career in scientific research but also gave her invaluable skills to use in the future. She plans to attend UMass Amherst to study biochemistry and molecular biology, with the ultimate goal of a career in cancer research or pediatric oncology.

Kassandra’s initiative to challenge herself is impressive; by the time she graduates, she will have taken five advanced placement courses, eight honors classes, an EMT-Basic course, and a dual enrollment course at Holyoke Community College.

Laiyla is a resilient young woman with a passion for making the world a better place, starting right in her community. For example, during her sophomore year, she and her fellow scholars participated in advocacy for mental health services in the Springfield Public Schools. This included many hours of volunteering at Pioneer Valley Project, and holding a press conference at Springfield City Hall. In her own home, Laiyla has been the biggest supporter for her younger brother who is on the autism spectrum, helping teach him how to read.

Further afield, Laiyla became a member of Global Glimpse and participated in a community service project in the Dominican Republic last summer, pouring cement floors for homes for underserved families. She also participates in the Follow My Steps Foundation, receiving its “Suited For Growth” Award, and UMass Amherst Upward Bound. In addition to working part time, Laiyla serves as a writing and math tutor in her school and plays varsity softball.

A member of the SHA and UMass Journalism Class, Laiyla embraces creativity through her writing and actively seeks change through community action, the development of new ideas, and a strong determination to be part of the solution. She will attend American University in the fall, and plans to study journalism and international studies.

Lorie has a tremendous amount of charisma that makes other people not only want to be around her, but also strive to become better versions of themselves. Whether supporting her volleyball teammates, leading the student council, pushing her group members during a class discussion, or just picking up a piece of trash in the hallway, Lorie uses her influence to make her community a better place. She demonstrates a level of care for her classmates that is hard to overlook. If peers are struggling, she is the first to comfort and uplift them. If students have something to celebrate, she will easily be found cheering for them.

Some of Lorie’s many activities include being a guest services volunteer for Casa de Dios Impactando Las Naciones, a member of the event team for a Black History Month Celebration, a student orientation guide, and an after-school childcare assistant at New North Citizen Council. Serving as class president and captain of the volleyball team, Lorie credits the sport with helping her to “dig deep” in every area of her life.

Skilled in hair styling with a focus on education and employment, Lorie is a member of the after-school club called Schools Braiding and plans to attend barbering school. She also plans to earn a master’s degree in ultrasound technology, and is already certified in adult and pediatric CPR, first aid, and AED.

If there were an award for “Most Involved Student,” Mackenzie would be the clear winner at Minnechaug. She is co-president of the student council and has held an office in student government every year, creating and leading the Community Outreach Committee. She is active in the Active Minds group, Key Club, the Dear Someone podcast (run through Hampden-Wilbraham Partners for Youth Coalition), the Fashion Club, and the National Honor Society. She is captain of the girls’ soccer team, plays IFA club soccer, and is a member of the Sports Mental Health Club, for which she is currently organizing its first-ever Minnechaug Youth Sports Day where current high school athletes will work with youth athletes in understanding the importance of mental health.

Mackenzie was her school’s delegate for Girls’ State last year and was quickly elected Attorney General of the conference. On campus, Mackenzie enthusiastically spearheads the schoolwide first-day pep rally, guiding the entire student body through various games, leading Student Council meetings, chairing events and being a changemaker who earnestly works toward creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.

Outside of school, Mackenzie works part-time at Rice Fruit Farm and is also a caregiver for her grandfather, a babysitter, and a dog sitter. After high school, Mackenzie plans to attend the University of Connecticut Honors Program to study journalism.

At age 13, Olivia is already being recognized for her entrepreneurship and leadership skills. The Ebony Branch of the Sweet Sadies Youth Group honored her for outstanding service and dedication to youth leadership, and she received a proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives in recognition of her entrepreneurial spirit.

Nicknamed “the mayor” at age three for her natural leadership abilities, Olivia started her own business, Liv Nu Accessories, in New Jersey in 2020, and registered it in Massachusetts when her family moved here in 2022. The company makes and sells handmade hair bows for children, along with other accessories. The business has been featured in several local publications, and last year, Olivia received a business grant from the High Street Business Association that allowed her to make upgrades to her vendor table and participate in the Holyoke Farmers Market Winter Market twice.

Olivia has donated hair bows for a summer program here in Holyoke. Last year, she volunteered at the 9th Annual Christmas Dinner at Kelly School hosted by One Holyoke. She assisted the logistics team and supervised the bounce house. Recently, she helped with the Enlace De Familias Easter Egg Hunt at Heritage State Park.

Inspired by her brother’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Rebecca became devoted to diabetes education and research, particularly lesser-known autoimmune conditions like Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). With a deep passion for medicine, advocacy, and service, she has pursued independent research projects exploring the role of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), early insulin therapy, and autoimmune pathways in improving long-term outcomes for patients with LADA and Type 1 diabetes.

In addition to her scientific pursuits, Rebecca is committed to mental health advocacy. As a trained crisis helpline volunteer, she supports individuals struggling with suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression. This work has strengthened her ability to listen with empathy and offer calm, compassionate guidance during moments of emotional distress. Her other activities include serving as captain of the indoor track team, treasurer of HOSA – Future Health Professionals, a member of the Women in STEM board, and an officer in the National Honor Society.

Rebecca has received multiple awards for her academic and extracurricular achievements, including gold medals in the national Spanish and Latin exams and the AP Scholar with Honor designation. She is an advanced placement student with a strong interest in biological , and plans to pursue a career in endocrinology with a focus on autoimmune diabetes research.

A future lawyer with a passion for political science, Samantha has already set herself up for success, having interned for a semester at Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty Attorneys at Law and serving on the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board on its Substance Use Committee. She has also been active in student government, including serving as class vice president her freshman year.

Her desire to be of service to others comes through in Samantha’s many activities. She has been involved in the Best Buddies program for three years and now serves as president, organizing monthly events for people with intellectual and developmental disorders to create an inclusive environment. Last year, she was selected to attend the 2024 Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University. Samantha is also vice president of the prestigious Future Teachers of America at her school, president of Peer Leadership, an Agawam Chief, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is training to be a student leader at Agawam High School’s Summit at Springfield College, having been chosen to be a student facilitator because of her effective communication and visionary abilities.

In addition to babysitting, Samantha works part time at On The Hill Restaurant and Gardens by Amy. She also was captain of the freshman and junior varsity Agawam volleyball teams and has volunteered to coach younger players at the Agawam girls Volleyball Youth Camp.

Recognizing that housing is a major issue in her community, Samantha is determined to be a part of the solution. She plans to earn a master’s degree in architecture with the goal of designing comfortable and affordable homes for the people in her community. With her record of perfect attendance throughout high school, she certainly has the determination to succeed.

Nominated as a Rising Star in her school, Sam is involved in a broad range of activities. She is the current president of her school’s Straight/Gay Alliance and serves on the school committee as a student ambassador. She has also been a student leader for multiple school events, such as 8th grade visits, where she helps welcome incoming students to high school life, plays varsity softball, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Outside of school, she volunteered to help prepare for Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, serves as a camp counselor at her church’s summer camp, and is an umpire for youth softball.

Whether she’s perfecting a new recipe or inspiring those around her, Soraya’s dedication and drive make her an ideal role model for her peers. Through her company, Sugar Bliss, she not only showcases her baking skills but also demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit and determination. Her ability to balance academics, a growing business, and personal creativity reflects her strong work ethic and vision for the future.

A confident young leader who speaks passionately on topics such as inclusivity, family well-being, and mental health, Soraya has actively participated in community programs, including the Public Health Equity Young Scholars Summer Enrichment Program at UMass and the Beat The Odds initiative with Public Health of Western MA. She also volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner and joined the Vibe Check Mental Health Workshop, where she collaborates with her peers to discuss mental wellness strategies.

Soraya is a committed athlete and performer, both as an active member of her school’s cheerleading team and as sprint captain for the track team. But what truly captures her heart is dance—she has trained for 11 years in styles including hip-hop, contemporary, and pointe. Soraya dreams of attending Howard University, a respected HBCU, where she plans to major in health sciences as she works towards becoming an orthodontist.

As president of her class, Yumalai demonstrates innovation by introducing creative initiatives that enhance school engagement. She has found new ways to address student concerns and foster a more connected school community, such as peer mentorship programs and digital platforms for student communication. On the volleyball team, Yumalai brings fresh strategies to improve teamwork and performance, develops unique training drills and encourages inclusivity among teammates. Her leadership extends beyond the court, inspiring younger players and strengthening team morale.

As a student teacher at a local preschool, Yumalai showcases adaptability and ingenuity by designing hands-on lessons that cater to diverse learning styles, often using limited resources in inventive ways. She has found new methods to connect with students from different backgrounds, ensuring every child feels supported and engaged.

With exceptional time management and resilience, Yumalai balances academics, athletics, and teaching while maintaining a commitment to excellence. Her creativity and problem-solving skills enable her to find innovative solutions in leadership, sports and education. Her natural ability to connect with others fosters teamwork, mentorship, and a positive learning environment.