Foxcroft Academy announces Morrison and Annis as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, presents Rose Awards to 17 outstanding scholars

Dover-Foxcroft, Maine - Foxcroft Academy Head of School Arnold Shorey has announced Fern Morrison as the Valedictorian and Julia Annis as the Salutatorian of the Class of 2015. Foxcroft Academy’s graduation ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 7th, at 1:30 pm. Baccalaureate will be held prior to graduation at noon. Maine game warden, sheriff, artist, and author John Ford will deliver the Commencement Address.

Fern Morrison is the daughter of Steve and Mia Morrison of Dover-Foxcroft. She has a GPA of 3.98, has accumulated more than 300 hours of community service, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been a standout for the field hockey team and both the indoor and outdoor track teams and has been heavily involved with Key Club, Student Council, and the Student Tech Team.

Morrison was born on an organic dairy farm and schooled at home until third grade. The years spent
outdoors on the farm cultivated her love and appreciation for the environment and science, and she has decided to pursue a chemical engineering degree at Bucknell University in hope of eventually launching a research-based career in the renewable energies sector.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the science classes I took at FA," she said. "My favorites include Mr. Rolleston's Chemistry courses, Mrs. Brennan's AP Physics, and Mr. Weber's AP Biology. More than just a great education, FA has provided me with a 21st century experience, punctuated with experiential opportunities beyond the walls of the Academy and boundaries of Dover-Foxcroft. I was able to attend seminars at Brown University and UCLA, participate in sports across New England, and conduct research at the University of Maine."

Julia Annis is the daughter of Glenn and Jody Annis of Dover-Foxcroft. She has a GPA of 3.96, has amassed nearly 60 hours of community service, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a member of Latin Club and Student Council and starred for the varsity field hockey and swimming teams all four years at FA while also excelling for the basketball team her junior year.

Annis will attend the University of Rhode Island and has enrolled in the six-year PharmD program, and she plans to work in a hospital after earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She is also considering joining the varsity swimming team or club field hockey team at Rhode Island.

Annis has lived in Dover-Foxcroft all her life. "I have experienced all that this small town has to offer," she said. "Living here surrounded by not only my immediate family, but also many relatives, has given me a great sense of comfort.
 I have chosen to leave Maine so that I can leave the comfort zone that Dover-Foxcroft has provided and expand my opportunities and experiences to something new."

Morrison and Annis were two of 17 students from the Class of 2015 recognized as outstanding scholars at FA's annual Rose Award ceremony on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5. The Rose Awards were established in 1931 when Mr. Frank G. Stone was head of Foxcroft Academy. Rose Award recipients have accumulated a grade point average that places them in the top 15 percent of permanent students in their class. For the 30th consecutive year, a medallion with the Foxcroft Academy seal will be presented to the recipients in addition to the traditional rose. These medallions will be presented on May 9 (4:30 in the FA gymnasium) in conjunction with the induction ceremony for the fourth class of the Foxcroft Academy Academic Hall of Fame. Mrs. Priscilla White, former FA English teacher and librarian who retired after 36 years of service, and Mr. Robert Beek, who taught mathematics at FA for 33 years, conceived the idea for this permanent award and contributed funds to have the die cast for the medallion, which has now become a permanent part of the annual ceremony.

The other rose recipients from the Class of 2015 are Kehan Bao, Dexter Canning, Bo Chen, Sean Cody, Tzu-Tying Hung, Zachary Johnson, Sarah Phillips, Aaron Provost, Abigail Simmons, Jessica Simpson, Yiwen Tang, Hailey Wellington, Shuwen Wu, Mingyi Yan, and Bingxuan Ying.

Kehan Bao, daughter of Hong Bao and Wen Jiang, is a member of the swimming team, Key Club, and Asian Culture Club. Kehan comes to Foxcroft from Kunming, China, and intends to study psychology at Dickinson College next year.

Dexter Canning, son of Robert and Ruby Canning of Ripley, is a member of the National Honor Society, the swimming and tennis teams, and the Jazz Band, for which he earned the Outstanding Musicianship Award for his work as a trombone soloist at this year's State Jazz Festival. Dexter plans to study civil engineering at University of Maine, Orono.

Bo Chen, daughter of Huo Chen and Bing Zhao, is secretary of the National Honor Society, captain of the tennis and football cheering teams, president of the Dance Club, and a member of Key Club, Math Team, and Asian Culture Club. Hailing from Guang Zho, China, Bo plans to study chemical engineering at the University of California, Davis.

Sean Cody, son of Robert and Catherine Cody of Dover-Foxcroft, captained the football and basketball teams and is a member of the baseball team and National Honor Society. He intends to study engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Alex Hung, son of Dong-Bing Hung and Hsu-Juan Tsai, captains the Math Team and is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and basketball and baseball teams. Originally from Taichung, Taiwan, Alex plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of California, San Diego.

Zachary Johnson, son of David and Tonya Johnson of Dover-Foxcroft, captained the swimming team, leads the Bible Club, developed a website called zachfly.com, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and outdoor track team. Zachary will attend Maine Maritime Academy and plans to enter the Marine Engineering Operations program.

Sarah Phillips, daughter of David Phillips and Susan Sanagorski-Phillips of Harmony, is a member of the National Honor Society, played for the soccer team, and is very involved with the theatre program and peer mediation. Sarah will attend St. Lawrence University and is considering majors in global studies, environmental science, or French.

Aaron Provost, son of Stephen and Suzanne Provost of Dover-Foxcroft, is a member of the Jazz Band, Select Choir, Key Club, and theatre program. He plans to study music education at the University of Southern Maine.

Abigail Simmons, daughter of John and Colette Simmons of Charleston, captained the field hockey team, served as manager of the wrestling team, and has been very involved with the music program. She intends to study nursing at Husson University.

Jessica A. Simpson, daughter of George Moore and Marolyn Fine of Dover-Foxcroft, is a member of the National Honor Society, played on the soccer team, and is involved with the PALS program. She plans to study radiography at Guilford Technical Community College.

Yiwen Tang, son of Xiangdong Tang and Mei Zhang, is captain of the Math Team, vice president of the National Honor Society, and vice president of the Asian Culture Club. Hailing from Shenzhen, China, Yiwen intends to study applied math at Wake Forest University.

Hailey Wellington, daughter of Thomas and Ami Wellington of Dover-Foxcroft, is a member of the National Honor Society, Book Club, and theatre program. She intends to study secondary education (English) at the University of Maine, Farmington.

Shuwen Wu, daughter of Guolin Wu and Zhongnv Li, is a member of the Asian Culture Club and Key Club. Originally from Hangzhou, China, Shuwen plans to study computer science at Penn State University.

Mingyi Yan, daughter of Weidong Yan and Yannan Yin, is the treasurer of the National Honor Society, secretary for the senior class, and a member of the swimming team, Key Club, and Asiam Culture Club. Hailing from Shanghai, China, Mingyi plans to study biostatistics at the University of California, San Diego.

Binxuan Ying, son of Anping Ying and Congying Li, is president of the Asian Culture Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and Math Team. Originally from Wenzhou, China, Binxuan intends to study electrical engineering at the University of California, Davis.

 Photos are credited to Foxcroft Academy