Ryan Sinclair, of Farmingdale, a Hall-Dale High School senior, was selected to receive the 2016 Principal’s Award, according to a news release from Principal Mark Tinkham. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship, according to news release from Tinkham.

Sinclair, as part of his senior Capstone Project, developed a proposal to create a Unified Basketball Team for RSU 2.

“To say the project was a success is an understatement. The project was the epitome of a selfless act, of great sportsmanship, of respect, and most importantly it provided an opportunity for students who are sometimes “invisible” within the school community to truly shine. At our home games the bleachers were full of crowds cheering for both teams because, in the end, the players on both teams were winners. “To watch players hand the ball back to opponents to give them another chance to hit a missed shot was monumental.

“To see the expression of joy and pure happiness on the players’ faces as they made a basket or a good play brought tears to the eyes of many. Watching a player make a three-point basket, and raise his hands in the victory sign and turn to the crowd and bow was monumental. As the organizer of the team and player assistant, Ryan supported the players in practice, talked them through the game, physically assisted them on the court and was their biggest cheerleader throughout the contest,” said Tinkham in the release.

Sinclair also is a three-sport varsity athlete including being captain of soccer and baseball. He was instrumental in the success of the soccer team copping the Mountain Valley Championship trophy for three years, having a berth in a state championship game, as well as four straight years of, at least, achieving to the semi-finals. He is not only a standout athlete but is a standout scholar as he is active in academic decathlon, math team, Spanish club, and has been awarded numerous academic awards including the prestigious George Eastman Young Leader’s Award, according to the release.

Based upon his academic record (valedictorian), his school accomplishments and his selfless acts to supports others he is a great representation from Hall-Dale to receive this award.

Sinclair, Tinkham and other award winners and their principals will attend an honors luncheon April 2 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

The luncheon recognizes these outstanding students with the presentation of an individual plaque and the awarding of five $1,000 scholarships in the names of Horace O. McGowan and Richard W. Tyler. McGowan and Tyler were former Maine principals and executive directors of the Association. An additional five $1,000 scholarships will be presented through the efforts of the MPA Scholarship Golf Tournament.

The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 100 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPA, the professional association which represents Maine’s school administrators.