NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School senior Emma Marino has been presented with the Superintendent's Award for 2018.

 

"It is always nice to give an award to someone smarter than yourself," Superintendent James Brosnan told Marino at Thursday's School Committee meeting. "You are at the very top, which means you are the outstanding student, and your dedication and your spirit. Any time I pass you in the hall, you always have a smile on your face."

 

Each year, superintendents across the state award one student with a Certificate of Academic Excellence, sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

 

Principal Justin Kratz said the business tech senior from North Adams has a 4.27 grade-point average and is president of the school's Business Professionals of America chapter.

 

"Emma has had quite the high school career already. It is amazing what she has accomplished," Kratz said. "It has been a pleasure to have her here and we are very proud of her."

 

Kratz went on to say Marino also plays basketball, soccer and softball and that she plans to attend law school.

 

He read some testimonials from Marino's teachers.

 

"Emma is a gifted young woman who has the ability to achieve in college and pursue her passion," Kratz read. "She seeks, sets, and uses constructive criticism to improve herself and has a genuine appreciation for reading, writing, learning, and improving."

 

"She not only talks the talk about achieving her goals but she has quality time management and study skills," he read. "She places high expectations on herself and she regularly meets them."

 

"She is perhaps the hardest working student that I have had the pleasure of instructing," Kratz read. "This is a determined young woman who is well suited for collegiate work and while I do not gamble I would not hesitate to wager on Emma's future success." 

 

Marino's family was present at the meeting and Chairman Gary Rivers told her that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

"We would expect that someone getting this kind of award would be at the top of their class and be involved in sports," he said. "But the one thread I see that is very outstanding to me is your involvement in the school community and the community service so I see that thread runs through your family."

 

Marino thanked her family, especially her mother for staying up late with her while she did homework,  and the School Committee. She said McCann was the perfect choice for her.

 

"McCann was the best choice that I made because it has helped me grow so much. I came from St. Stan's which is a small school that gave me that one on one with teachers and I was not expecting that at a bigger school," she said. "I have had so many opportunities here with sports and extracurriculars."