Presque Isle High School
recognizes top six academic seniors
PRESQUE ISLE — Presque Isle High School Principal Donna Lisnik has announced the top six seniors who were recognized at the June 8 commencement ceremony.
Ranked first among the graduating Class of 2012 at PIHS is Isaac 
Lucas LaJoie. The son of Peter and Nora LaJoie, LaJoie has taken the most demanding caseload of classes offered at the school, and has earned the coveted PIHS Honor Ring. Along with earning top grades, he has consistently been involved in many school activities. He has served as president of the National Honor Society and Student Council. “A genuine scholar/athlete, LaJoie has captained many varsity teams including soccer, hockey and baseball. Throughout all these activities, he has demonstrated true leadership qualities,” said Lisnik.
While maintaining a busy schedule, LaJoie has found time to volunteer in his community through mentoring young children and students in both sports and academics and serving food at a local soup kitchen. He will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall with a major in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on renewable energy. “I feel it is my duty to make an energy-efficient planet for years to come,” said LaJoie.
Graduating second is Kent Charles Smith 
, the son of Charles and Maggie Smith. He has served as president of his class for all four high school years. A passionate speaker and thespian, Smith has been active in school musicals, competition plays, poetry readings, and as a member of the debate team. Academically, he has consistently achieved high honors, earned the PIHS Honor Ring and attained the high score for PIHS on the United States’ Senate Youth Program exam for two consecutive years.
A participating team member of the Critical Issues Forum in San Diego, Smith was also chosen as one of only 12 students in the United States to attend the Bezos Family Foundation leadership program at the Aspen Institute’s Ideas Festival. Smith will be attending Brown University in Providence, R.I. in the fall.
Chelsey Ann Marie Carroll 
, daughter of Kirk and Louise Carroll, graduated third among the Class of 2012. A winner of the PIHS Honor Bar and the Presidential Academic Award, Carroll participated fully in the school community. Along with earning top grades, she was a member of the varsity Nordic ski team and varsity tennis team. She was president of the FBLA and a member of the National Honor Society. She participated on the debate team and was a member of the Varsity Club and PIHS Jazz Band.
Outside of school, Carroll volunteered as a figure skating coach and soccer coach for the Dutch Soccer Academy, with the Special Olympics, and the PIHS Music Boosters. An active member of her church group, she also works at her family’s car dealership part-time. Carroll will be leaving Presque Isle for Waltham, Mass. where she will attend Bentley University with a major in accounting.
Graduating fourth was Dani Sage Wolland 
, the daughter of Michael Wolland, DVM, and Bridget McIntosh. Wolland has been a successful student/athlete; involved in the school community through sports, student government, and as a student representative on the PIHS Mission Statement Committee. She has been an active member of the tennis team, debate team, math team and was an officer for the Student Council. Academically, she was the recipient of the PIHS Honor Bar, a member of the NHS and held the office of treasurer during her senior year. She volunteered her time each month at such places as the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
As an NHS member, Wolland also participated in various group volunteer projects such as the annual blood drive. She was selected and attended the international EarthWatch science program, and participated in a summer research project in California. She will be following her interest in science coupled with her love of animals in pursuing studies in pre-veterinary science at the University of Maine at Orono.
Brittany Good 
, daughter of John and Colleen Good, has graduated fifth. Dedicated to her academic career, Good has maintained high honors throughout her high school career and achieved the Presidential Award her sophomore year and received the PIHS Honor Bar her senior year. She has achieved the Lamp of Learning and has attended the Academic Awards Banquet all four years of high school.
She is involved in the gifted and talented program for academics, as well as the arts. A well-rounded student, Good has been a member of the Civil Rights Team, Key Club, Varsity Club and captained the winter cheerleading squad. She has worked throughout most of her high school career, yet still found the time to volunteer as a peer tutor at PIHS and in the community at a local nursing home facility.
“Ever since the days of dolls and recess I have wanted to someday pursue a career in the medical field,” said Good, who will be attending the University of Maine at Orono in the fall, pursuing a longtime dream of a career in ICU nursing.
Graduating sixth from PIHS’ Class of 2012 is Kelsey Rae Buck 
, daughter of Brent and Felicia Buck. A NHS student and recipient of the PIHS Honor Bar, Buck also served as reporter for Skills USA, was a varsity cheerleader, the recipient of the Academic Letter and the Society of Women Engineer Award, and has consistently received high honors throughout her high school career. She consistently gave back to her community and school through her volunteer work. She has volunteered at the Humane Society, the Nordic Heritage Center, the local food pantry, Maine Agri Women, and at the 4-H booth at the Northern Maine Fair.
As the 2011 Maine Potato Queen, Buck spent countless hours promoting worthwhile causes while balancing the demands of volunteerism and schoolwork. Her love for children can be seen through her 13 years spent working with young children at the Maine Dance Academy. Buck will be attending the University of Maine at Orono, College of Education & Human Development, with a major in elementary education. She hopes to return to Aroostook County after attaining her college degree, but for now said, “I am ready to face what comes my way and to discover the ways of the world.”
