Awards, $346,000 in local scholarships go to Class of 2023

Jun 1, 2023

Wareham High School celebrated its graduating seniors’ academic achievements at a ceremony on Thursday, June 1. 

Students received over $346,000 in scholarships from local organizations, businesses and families. Three students also received scholarships from their future colleges for an additional $378,000.

Caseworker Adrianna Adams gave the Helping Hand Scholarship to Olivia Hogan. The Michael A. Collins Memorial Scholarship went to Dylan Tilton, the Peter Balzarini Scholarship went to Fredi Gakidis and the Smithers Lab STEM Scholarship went to Mattison Peckham. 

“I think [the ceremony] brings the community together and shows that the young kids in town are taking advantage of the opportunities that taxpayers have given them,” Principal Scott Palladino said. “It’s a great way to recognize our seniors and our talented students that excel in the classroom.”

According to Palladino, the Class of 2023 finished the school year with a GPA of over 87, one of the best in recent years.

The top 10 students in the class received Gold Scholar Awards. The top two students, James Pinkham and Laura Clements, were valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. 

Pinkham said that the senior class was competitive and that “it means the world” to him that he is this year’s valedictorian.

This fall, Pinkham will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study Informatics, which he described as computer science with a focus on the humanities. 

“It’s been a long five years,” Pinkham said. “This has not been without challenge and hard work and sleepless nights.”

Students also received awards from teachers, staff and administrators. The Principal's Award went to Alexander Burdick and the Superintendent’s Award went to Autumn Francis. 

Francis said she wants to “become a billionaire so [she] can stop global warming.”

Her path to riches will begin at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she will study natural sciences.

Guidance counselor Carly Granville gave the Guidance Award to MacKenzie Lopez. 

“As a guidance counselor, words cannot describe what you’ve done, the impact you’ve had,” Granville told Lopez.

Students also received awards for perfect attendance. Brenden Behring, Wendy Sut and Olivia Vacarro all achieved perfect attendance their senior year, while Jessica Janak has had perfect attendance since the second grade.