WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Student leader, scholar and standout athlete Christian Sullivan recently was awarded the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Academic Excellence Award at Mount Greylock Regional School.

 

Superintendent Jason McCandless announced Sullivan's selection at a School Committee meeting last month and shared with the panel some thoughts from Sullivan's guidance counselor.

 

"Academically, Christian has challenged himself in every way possible, including nine Advanced Placement classes, a dual enrollment Williams College course entitled 'The Tropics: Biology & Social Issues' and a virtual high school (VHS) oceanography course, both as a foundation to his intended college focus," counselor Beverly Maselli wrote. "Christian even chose to self-study Latin IV last year, when he had a scheduling conflict with one of his science classes, so that he could continue with AP Latin as a senior.

 

"I find Christian to be a quiet presence who commands respect for his innate ability, maturity, thoughtfulness and positive influence on his peers. He truly leads by example and evidences an outstanding moral compass as noted by his four year performance on the Student Council, Boys State representation, and as a scholar-athlete representing Mount Greylock for MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) statewide leadership events."

 

On the soccer pitch, Sullivan was an all-league selection this fall for the Mounties, helping lead Mount Greylock to the title game of the Western Massachusetts tournament and the quarter-finals of the state Division 5 tourney.

 

McCandless, who was superintendent in Lee and Pittsfield prior to arriving in the Lanesborough-Williamstown regional district in 2020, explained that the superintendent's award can be given to seniors in the top 5 percent of academic performers.

 

"Over my many years as a superintendent in the Berkshires, it has been my honor to present this award to a remarkable collection of young people, each of whom exemplified the utmost in work ethic and integrity," McCandless said. "This year’s recipient keeps that tradition very much alive, and for that, I am most grateful."