The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Student Leadership Awards Program recognizes students who exhibit exemplary leadership skills including a willingness to take on challenges, ability to make difficult decisions and work with others, and a willingness to commit to a project. Berlin High School is pleased to announce that seniors Emma Lavoie and Ian Saunders have been selected as this year’s recipients.
Emma Lavoie
Emma is a remarkable young woman who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to academic excellence. She has been inducted into the Berlin High School chapters of the National Honor Society and the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society where she serves as Secretary. She is an integral member of several BHS clubs including Upbeat and the Ryan T. Lee Club. She was elected by her peers to represent the Class of 2024 as Social Chair and is Treasurer of the Student Government. Emma tutors in the Writing Center, is a peer leader on the Unified Sports basketball team, and tutors students in Spanish. She has earned the AAPPL Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, and has been awarded the Gettysburg College Book Award for Distinguished Study of American History and Excellence in Honors Pre-Calculus. She has achieved high honor status during all four years at Berlin High School.
In addition to academics, Emma is a well-rounded student who contributes to our community. She is involved with soccer, both on the high school team and a community team. She volunteers at her church, helping to distribute food to those in need and assisting at the Berlin Fair food booth. With everything else she has going on, Emma has also found time for employment, working at a local restaurant and as a swim instructor.
After graduation from Berlin High Emma plans to study engineering at a four year college or university in the northeast.
Ian Saunders
Ian is an exceptional individual with a strong academic foundation, outstanding leadership abilities, and a deep commitment to both his studies and extracurricular activities. Ian’s academic success has been recognized with multiple honors and awards including the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, AP Scholar with Honors, Clarkson University Leadership and Scholarship Award, and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program. Ian has consistently been on the honor roll during his time at Berlin High.
Ian's involvement in extracurricular activities has provided him with opportunities to demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities. Ian is lead editor of the Redcoat Review, the BHS school newspaper. As an Upbeat Coordinator Ian helps to create leadership workshops and plan multi-day events across grade levels. He was elected by his peers to serve as student representative on the Berlin Board of Education, where he provides input on changes made at a district level, works closely with high school administration regarding student life, and reports on student activities. Ian is an informed leader, prioritizing understanding and integrating various perspectives to make well-informed decisions.
Ian has a clear vision for his future career path as a medicinal research chemist. He has taken proactive steps toward this goal, working with the BHS/UConn partnership on malaria vaccine research. His post-graduation plans are to attend Vassar College with a double major in Chemistry and English.
Emma and Ian will be recognized as this year’s Berlin High CABE Student Leadership Awards Program recipients at the June Berlin Board of Education meeting.