Front row (left to right): An Nguyen, Roscel Mesta, Nathalie Lora, Nicholas John Desrocher, and Taylor Turgeon
Back row (left to right): Natasha Costello, Jennifer Alper, Bill Moynihan, Alexandra Vilorio, Lane Glenn, Mark Forman, Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, Peter Dulchinos, Daniel Baronowski, and Hitanshu Patel

Twelve local 2014 high school graduates have been accepted to the Presidential Scholars Program at Northern Essex Community College.

In its 15^th year, the Presidential Scholars Program is designed to reward motivated high school students who will be attending Northern Essex. Students are selected based on their high school academic record and recommendations from high school guidance counselors and teachers.

“Our Presidential Scholars Program targets academically motivated high school graduates who have decided to start their college education at Northern Essex,” said Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex. “Most plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after getting an associate’s degree from Northern Essex.”

Recipients, their families, and their guidance counselors were invited to attend a dinner on October 16 at the college. Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex, Grace Young, dean, academic advising, articulation, testing, transfer and TRIO, and Jean Poth, vice-president institutional advancement and executive director of the NECC Foundation, Inc spoke at the event.

In addition to the honor of being named to this selective program, students receive a $1,000 scholarship from the college. At the dinner, Poth announced that starting this year, the Presidential Scholarship will be renewable for a second year, for students who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Presidential Scholars are also paired with an administrator or faculty member from the college who serves as a mentor and resource. The Scholars are encouraged to participate in a variety of enrichment programs offered at Northern Essex, including the Student Leadership Development Program, the Student Ambassador Program, and the college’s Honors Experience Program.

To be eligible, students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average in high school and be nominated by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or principal. Each must plan to earn an associate’s degree at Northern Essex before transferring to a four-year Massachusetts state college or university.

This year’s Presidential Scholars include:

Georgetown

Taylor Turgeon, Georgetown High School, General Studies

Haverhill

Jennifer Alper, Haverhill High School, General Studies

Roscel Mesta, Haverhill High School, General Studies: Health Specialization

Alexandra Santana, Haverhill High School, General Studies: Health Specialization

Lawrence

Natasha Costello, Lawrence High School, Accounting

Nathalie Lora, Lawrence International High School, Criminal Justice

Adriana Monterroso, Greater Lawrence Technical High School, General Studies: Health Specialization

Alexandra Vilorio, Lawrence High School, General Studies

Methuen

Daniel Baronowski, Methuen High School, Liberal Arts

An Nguyen, Methuen High School, General Studies: Health Specialization

Hitanshu Patel, Methuen High School, General Studies: Health Specialization

Salisbury

Nicholas John Desrocher, Triton High School, General Studies

For more information on the NECC Presidential Scholars Program, contact Lindsay Graham at scholarships@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3629.