Belfast Area High School announces the Honor Parts for the Class of 2023.

BAHS provided the following description of the Class of 2023:

This graduating class is full of bright, motivated students who will find themselves all over the United States next year studying at a plethora of excellent post-secondary institutions from the coast of California to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, the hills of Tennessee, to right here in the state of Maine and everywhere in between. We also have students who will be working in WWOOF programs, filling roles in desperately needed trades fields both locally and beyond, and serving the United States as a Marine recruit. This group of seniors includes firefighters, CNA’s, lifeguards, science fair winners, a STEM endorsement, a Chess Champion, a State Champion Golfer and a State Champion Swimmer, 11 State Science Olympiad Medalists, 5 Lion’s Club LEO Officers and 20 student internships completed through our inaugural year of our BAHS ELO program.

The top three graduates from Belfast Area High School Class of 2023 are:

Valedictorian

Ezekiel Slaughter.

Zeke will be attending the University of Maine in the fall. During Zeke’s time at Belfast Area High School he has participated in Soccer as a goalie, JV and Varsity Basketball, track and field, three years of tennis and was selected Most Valuable Player for the Tennis team his junior year. At Belfast Area High School Zeke has participated in the Crossword Club, Debate Club and the Chess Club. His art was featured in this year's annual Young Artists’ Gallery Takeover at Waterfall Arts during Youth Art Month and he has been honored with various top student awards during his time at BAHS. Zeke and his brother Eli are one of four sets of twins in the Class of 2023! Zeke’s future goals include incorporating English and Art into a career path.

Salutatorian

Emma Waldron.

Emma will be attending Colby College in Waterville, with plans of majoring in Environmental Policy. Emma has been an incredibly involved student during her time at Belfast Area High School. Her participation in academic co-curricular clubs has included National Honor Society, Climate Crisis Committee, Peer Leadership, Science Olympiad – where she has brought home gold and silver medals – and Envirothon. Emma is also a stand out athlete; she has participated for four years in Varsity Soccer and Track and Field, where she qualified for Regional and State level competition and served as Captain of both teams for multiple years. Outside of Belfast Area High School, Emma is the older sister to Nathan and Norah, has been a member of the DSA United Club Soccer program, and works part time at her family business, Marshall Wharf, in Belfast.

First Honor Essay

Savannah Springer.

Savannah will be attending The University of Pennsylvania with hopes of pursuing a career in law. As a student athlete she has participated in three years as a member of the swim team and the past two years on the tennis team, selected this spring to be a captain. In 2021 as an 11th grade student, Savannah was selected to serve as the student representative to the RSU 71 school board and helped to report out at monthly meetings. An AP scholar awardee, Savannah recently was named the Belfast Area High School recipient of the MPA Principal’s Award. Earlier this spring, Savannah was also notified that she is one of 300 students nationally to be named a Gates Scholar – which recognizes her academic excellence and perseverance throughout high school. Savannah is a proud big sister, and also can be found working at Out On A Whimsey Toys in Belfast.