GSA Class of 2014

George Stevens Academy announces the following Honors parts for the Class of 2014:

Valedictorian Loriman Looke is the son Loriman and Lisa Looke of Blue Hill. Loriman played Varsity Soccer for 4 years, Varsity Track for one year, Varsity Baseball for one year. He volunteers at the Tree of Life, and has worked at the Blue Hill Public Library and the Boatyard Grill. He received the Daughters of the American Revolution History Award, the Williams College Book Award, and a National Merit Letter of Commendation. He earned a spot on the PVC All-Academic Team for soccer and was recognized at the Scholar/Athlete PVC banquet this year. Loriman will be attending Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, where he plans to double major in PPP (politics, philosophy, and economics) and Commerce.

Salutatorian Jiangqiong “Joan” Liu is the daughter of Hongqi Liu and Silan Jiang of Shaoxing, China, and has been living with Stan and Kathy Pelletier of Ellsworth. Joan played cross-country, track, and swimming, all for three years, was on the math team for three years, Student Council for one year, and served as an International Student Proctor for one year. She was a volunteer intern at Ping Xu’s laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University and at China Agricultural Bank’s international department in Shangyu, China, and taught English at Gateway Language Village in China. She received the Society of Women Engineers Book Award in Mathematics and the 2013 Maine All-Star Math Team Award for distinguished participation at the annual ARML Mathematics Competition. Joan will be attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she plans to study mathematics.

 First Honor Essayist Linfeng "Bigo" Shen is the son of Rulong Shen and Huidi Zhou of Hangzhou, China, and has been living with William and Doris Webb of Blue Hill. Bigo has played soccer for 1 year, outdoor track for 2 years, and has served as a Student Ambassador and International Student Proctor, each for 1 year. He was the recipient of the St. Michael’s College Book Award. Bigo volunteers at church, and has had internships at the Yuhang Municipal Company in China. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall where he plans to study fine arts.

Second Honor Essayist Philip Shaheen is the son of Greg and Ann-Margaret Shaheen of Brooksville. Philip has played Varsity Soccer, Basketball, and Track & Field, all for 4 years. He volunteers at local church dinners, runs in 5k fundraisers, and works part-time in the summer. He received the Dartmouth Book Award, is a member of National Society of High School Scholars. He is the Captain of Varsity Soccer, Eastern Maine Class C Regional Soccer All-Star, Varsity Basketball Captain, All-Star Academic Basketball Team member, and Track & Field Captain. He will be attending the University of Maine at Orono to study engineering.

Second Honor Essayist Justin Willis is the son of Dana and Cyndy Willis of Penobscot. He played Baseball for 4 years, was on the Chess Team for 3 years, Model U.N. for 4 years, and Science Bowl for 2 years. He is a Boy Scout (Troop 83) working toward becoming an Eagle Scout, and enjoys amateur radio and geocaching. He received the Rensselaer Medal, and the GSA Industrial Arts Award. Justin will be attending the University of Maine at Orono, majoring in mechanical engineering technology.

Graduation remarks will be delivered by Steven Orlofsky, Instrumental Music Director at GSA for the past 27 years.

Sixty-five seniors are expected to graduate in the Class of 2014. Commencement exercises will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 1 PM on the front campus, or in the gymnasium in the event of inclement weather.