PITTSFIELD — Maine Central Institute has named the students with the top 10 grade point averages for the class of 2022.

“These 10 students are our all-stars, our academic quarterbacks, or our point guards for critical thinking. We are proud of their hard work, for it is long, dedicated hours that often separate the top students,” said Head of School Winn Prince, according to a news release from the institute.

Yuran Choi Submitted photo

Yuran Choi, class valedictorian, is the daughter of Byungyul Choi and Sangeun Bae of Gwangju, South Korea. She has received undergraduate academic awards in Health, Pre-Calculus, Painting, AP Calculus AB, Concert band, Chemistry CP and AP Language. She also received the George M. Parks Award and the Rensselaer Medal Award.

Choi was a Manson Essay Finalist, an Alumni Hall dorm prefect, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of Key Club. She has participated in Math Team, Gardening Club, Chinese Club, Aomori Club, and Peer Mentoring Club. Choi was also a member of the tennis, indoor track, and girls soccer teams. She has served as a student leader in the Student Orientation and Language Immersion program for new boarding students.

Hyeonjee “Elena” Rho Submitted photo

Hyeonjee “Elena” Rho, class salutatorian, is the daughter of Chang Rae Rho of Daegu, South Korea. Rho received undergraduate academic awards for Intro to Medical Concepts, AP U.S History & AP Language, and Statistics. She was a Manson Essay Finalist and recipient of the Wells College Leadership Award and G.W. Cooke Award for 9th grade math. She was also recognized with Honor and Merit awards from Inner View for her many hours of community service. She is a member of Student Council, Key Club, Math Team, and Generational Connections Club.

Rho is also an Alumni Hall dorm prefect and a dorm tutor. She has been a member of the golf and tennis teams.

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Taylor Pronovost is the daughter of Eric and Debra Pronovost of Cumberland Foreside. She is a four-year participant in Bossov Ballet Theatre, and has received undergraduate academic awards in Ballet, French, and AP US History. She also received the Wells Leadership Scholarship.

Pronovost is a member of National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Kindness Krew, Student Ambassadors Club, Generational Connections Club, Dorm Council and Student Council. She is also a dorm prefect in Alumni Hall.

Jamie Simeone is the daughter of Tim Simeone and Kim Griffin of Burnham. She is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and has received undergraduate achievement awards for Honors English, Honors History, Algebra II and French.

Simeone has participated in Key Club, Art Club, and the Generational Connections Club. She is a three-time varsity letter recipient for girls soccer, softball, and swimming and has been a captain on the varsity soccer team since her sophomore year. She received the Coaches Award for varsity soccer and the Most Improved Award for her efforts on the swim team.

Ava McCannell is the daughter of Aaron and Andrea McCannell of Pittsfield. She received undergraduate academic awards in Spanish, Algebra 2, Biology, and Humanities English and History III.

McCannell also received the Dual Enrollment Anatomy Academic Award and the Society of Women Engineers Award. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Key Club as well as the Generational Connections Club and Kindness Krew and has participated in outdoor track and field.

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Gracie Moore is the daughter of Ellwood and Rebecca Moore of Pittsfield. She was the Manson Essay Contest runner up in her junior year and received undergraduate academic awards for Anatomy and Physiology, Stage and TV Makeup, and Humanities English/History III CP. She received her varsity letter for field hockey, softball, and indoor track.

Moore has been named to the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference (KVAC) All-Rookie team for field hockey in 2018, KVAC second team for softball in 2019, KVAC first team for field hockey in 2021, and the All-state field hockey team for 2021 while scoring a school record 40 goals. She also received the Most Valuable Player award for MCI’s indoor track team. She is a member of the Key Club and has volunteered all four years in Pittsfield youth sports programs.

Sumin Lee is the daughter of Chang Sub Lee and Young Mi Ryu of Yongin, South Korea. She is a two-year member of Student Council and a dorm prefect in Alumni Hall.

Lee is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Golf team.

Hector Bligh is the son of Adrian and Eleanor Bligh of East Amherst, Nova Scotia. He is a four-year participant in Bossov Ballet Theatre. He received undergraduate academic awards in AP US History and AP Language, Earth and Space Science, Piano, and Ballet as well as the Merriam-Webster Book Award. He was a spokesperson at MCI’s first virtual open house and traveled with a student leadership group to Washington D.C.

Bligh is a two-year member of the vocal and instrumental Jazz Ensembles and a dorm prefect in Manson Hall. He is a member of the Ski club, Volleyball club, Boxing club and Aomori Club.

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Leah Dechaine is the daughter of Ken and Nanhee Dechaine of Pittsfield. She is MCI’s 2022 recipient of the prestigious Principal’s Award, given yearly by the Maine Principals’ Association. She is president of the Student Council and a four-year member, a two-year member of the National Honor Society, and a participant in the Model United Nations conference.

Deschaine earned highest honors in each quarter she has attended MCI, won undergraduate academic awards for Geometry and Science, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa in addition to being a member of the golf and tennis teams.

Lillian Verrill is the daughter of Cory and Jessica Verrill of Pittsfield. She is a two-time winner of the Visual and Performing Arts undergraduate award, a member of the National Honors Society, and a Manson Essay Finalist. She is a veteran of the stage, participating in the Drama Team’s fall performances and One-Act Plays for four years. She is also a member of the Jazz Choir, Chess club, and Fencing team and has perfect attendance across multiple semesters.

Verrill has also been a member of the track and field team, cross country team, swim team, and rifle team. She has guided visiting students on campus tours and volunteered in the Pittsfield summer track programs.

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