Published in the October 14, 2015 edition
WAKEFIELD MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL senior Jessica Dubuque, center, received the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence at last night’s School Committee meeting. Presenting the award were School Superintendent Dr. Kim Smith, right, and School Committee Chairman Kate Morgan. (Mark Sardella Photo)
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Wakefield Memorial High School Senior Jessica Dubuque is the recipient of the prestigious Superintendent’s Award for Excellence for the current academic year. School Superintendent Dr. Kim Smith presented the award at last night’s School Committee meeting.
The annual award is presented by the Superintendent to the highest ranking student in the senior class.
“Jessica is the No. 1 student in the Class of 2016,” Smith said. Smith said that Dubuque took a stellar 4.615 grade point average into her senior year and is currently enrolled in six advanced placement classes after taking three AP classes last year and one the year before.
Smith added that Dubuque is a four-year member of both the WMHS Softball Team and the Dance Team. Smith noted that Dubuque is also a member of the Academic Advisory Council and serves as secretary of the Class of 2016.
“This is really a special pleasure for me,” Smith said, “because I know Jessica personally from being principal of Wakefield High School. She’s a member of my student leadership forum and a very active member of that Academic Advisory Council.”
Smith said that Dubuque’s qualities as a person match her academic performance.
“Although she’s an exceedingly bright and articulate senior in the classroom,” Smith said, “even more importantly, she’s one of the most unassuming, kind, thoughtful and most generous people you’d ever want to meet. She probably cares more about her school than she does about her own academic success.”
Dubuque thanked Smith for the award and praised the school system in which she has excelled.
“The teachers, staff and everybody you encounter are so willing to help you,” she said. “They just want you to succeed and do your best. The school offers so many opportunities, no matter what you want to be involved in. I really can’t imagine going to high school or elementary school anywhere else.”
