PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two high school students, one from Taconic and one from Pittsfield High, were honored with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence in front of the School Committee on Wednesday.

 

PHS senior Joseph Weiner and Taconic senior Anna Potochevska were applauded for their dedication inside and outside of the classroom.  

 

The annual award is given to students who go above and beyond in academic achievement and community involvement.

 

"We have two phenomenal students here this evening," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.

 

Weiner is ranked number one in his class of 179 students with a cumulative GPA of 103.  Throughout his tenure at PHS he has taken on challenging coursework, completing seven advanced placement classes, receiving a perfect score on two of his AP tests, and completing a course at Berkshire Community College.

 

School Counselor Ann Marie Mutz, who nominated the student, said that he has had a positive high school experience, is respected by peers, and accepted all possible opportunities to try new classes and activities.

 

One of his teachers describes him as a "driven and passionate young man who rises up to the challenge each time with a positive attitude."

 

On top of his strong academics, Weiner is on the Student Council as the Community Service and Relations Coordinator, is a member of the National Honors Society, and participates in the pot orchestra for the Porteus Theatre Club.  He is also a service leader at his synagogue and holds a part-time job at the Becket Chimney Corners summer camp as a counselor.

 

"One personal asset that Joe exhibits is helping others. This is seen most often in math class but does continue into his musical experiences with others as well as his Synagogue," Mutz wrote.

 

"Joe is a young man of honor and lives his life with dignity and pride. He leads his life with a positive attitude and holds a passion for defending what is right or what he believes in and does it in a confident and commanding manner without sacrificing his values."

 

After high school, Weiner is looking to study civil engineering with a minor in music performance.  His college applications will include Northeastern, Boston University, Le High, Carnegie Mellon, and Rutgers.

 

Potochevska was nominated by School Counselor Brianne DeMarco for exceptional dedication, leadership, and passion for education and the community at Taconic.  

 

Sitting at the top of her class, she has taken six AP courses and 11 Honors courses during her time at the high school, earning nothing less than a 97 in her classes over the last three years.

 

DeMarco said that the student consistently demonstrated a remarkable commitment to advancing educational opportunities and promoting excellence within the academic community.  Additionally, the counselor reported that Potochevska's proactive approach to educational leadership and her ability to inspire and empower both students and educators are truly impressive.?

 

"Anna is also a dynamic collaborator, fostering teamwork and promoting a culture of open communication and knowledge sharing. Her collaborative spirit has brought about positive change by facilitating partnerships and synergies that have enriched the learning experiences for students and contributed to the staff and students alike at Taconic. She has taken on a leadership role in the building and always gives 100 percent. Anna also has stepped up to help support the Freshman during their CTE rotation in the Business program," DeMarco wrote.

 

"Moreover, Anna's exceptional leadership in Theater productions at Taconic has been instrumental in achieving remarkable outcomes and garnering recognition within the educational sector. Her accomplishments are a testament to her dedication, determination, and ability to lead with integrity and vision."

 

She added that she has every confidence in Potochevska's capabilities and has no doubt that she will continue to make significant contributions to education and society at large.

 

The committee recessed for five minutes so that each member could congratulate the awardees.