Cony lists top 10 ranked seniors for class of 2021

AUGUSTA — Cony High School has announced the students ranked in the top 10 of the class of 2021. Students are listed https://ws.cps.coop.dk/ in rank order.

Tessa Jorgensen, valedictorian, is the daughter of Todd and Mindy Jorgensen of Augusta. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club and Math Team. She is a varsity swim, soccer, cross country and track team member, and participates in club swimming.

Jorgensen received the KVAC All Academic award, and was selected as a Dirigo Girl’s State Delegate. She received the 2021 KVAC First Team All-Conference for Swim. She was a member of the 2018 and 2020 KVAC Class A State Champions swim team as well as the 2018 State Champions.

Jorgensen volunteers at the Angel Food Network and CARA fields, and participates in the Gasping Gobbler 5K.

She plans to attend Colorado State University, with the goal of a dual degree in biomedical engineering and chemical and biological engineering.

Amanda Jorgensen, salutatorian, is the daughter of Todd and Mindy Jorgensen. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club and Math Team. She is a varsity soccer, swim and track team member. She also participates in club swimming and soccer.

Jorgensen received the KVAC All Academic award, as well as being chosen as a Dirigo Girl’s State Delegate. She received the KVAC First Team All-Conference for swim, as well as being a member of the 2018 Girls State Swim Champions, and the 2018 and 2020 Girls KVAC Class A Swim Champions.

Jorgensen volunteers at the Angel Food Network and CARA fields, and participates in the Gasping Gobbler 5K.

She plans to attend the University of North Dakota to major in nursing.

Elijah Bezanson, First Honors Part, is the son of Hope Libby of Augusta and Bill Bezanson of Richmond. Bezanson is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the varsity baseball, hockey and golf teams, where he also earned captain status. He also participated in Chizzle Wizzle.

He was selected as a Dirigo Boy’s State Delegate and Student of the Month, and has received coaches awards. He also received the Cornell University Book Award.

Bezanson volunteers as a baseball umpire coordinator and coach. He started a Student Support Group and helped organize the “Coping with COVID” presentation with NAMI.

He plans to attend the University of Maine Orono to major in social work.

Eric McDonnell, Second Honors Part, is the son of Audrey and Patrick McDonnell of Augusta. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Math Team, Spanish Club, and tennis team.

McDonnell received the Rensellaer Medal Award. He is an AP Scholar and an Eagle Scout.

He volunteers through the National Honors Society and tutoring.

McDonnell plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to major in civil engineering.

Jack Rodrigue is the son of Suzanne and Peter Rodrigue of Augusta. Rodrigue is vice president of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the Spanish Club and Key Club. He plays on the varsity tennis, basketball, golf and cross country teams. He also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, swimming and jogging.

He received the George Washington University Book Award and the AP Scholar Award. He was selected as a Dirigo Boy’s State Delegate and received the Coaches Award for Basketball.

He has volunteered at MaineGeneral Medical Center and the Key Club, and been involved in groundskeeping at the Viles Arboretum, Polar Plunge for Camp SunShine and the Callaway Coffee House event for Domestic Abuse. He has been junior counselor at Hart2Hart Farm Camp and lector at St. Michael Parish.

Rodrigue plans to attend Boston University to major in biomedical engineering to pursue a career in medicine to better the lives of others.

Kyle Douin is the son of Jason and Denise Douin of Augusta. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spanish Club president and was chosen as a Dirigo Boy’s State Delegate. He is a varsity baseball, basketball, golf and football team member.

Douin received the History Book award and has been named in the KVAC First Team in football and baseball, Third Team in basketball, and the McDonald’s All State Academic team.

He volunteers at a local daycare, Key Club events and Viles Arboretum, and coaches and referees local youth sports, as well as tutoring and alter serving at St. Michael Parish.

Douin plans to attend the University of Maine Orono, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Jack Begin is the son of John and Michelle Begin of Chelsea. Begin is class president, Key Club president, a member of the National Honor Society, Math Team, Science Club, Environmental Club, Outing Club and Spanish Club. He is the leader of the Civil Discourse Group, a member of the Ramses School Newspaper, Chizzle Wizzle, Science Bowl Team and was a selected Delegate of Dirigo Boy’s State. He is a member of the varsity football, cross country, swimming, lacrosse and track and field teams.

Begin volunteers through Key Club-sponsored events, Viles Arboretum, and Augusta Youth Flag Football. He participated in the Polar Dip for Camp Capella, MaineGeneral Health fundraising events, Faith Christian Church Food Pantry and volunteers as a tutor for Cony MS/HS students.

He is the recipient of the MPA Principal’s, Bates College Book, KVAC Academic, Cross Country Teammate, and All-State Academic Swim awards. He also received the four-year National Army ROTC Scholarship, as well as the four-year National Navy ROTC Scholarship. He received the 2020 Great American Rivalry Series Scholar Athlete and the Doc Barnard Award.

Begin plans to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Brooklynn Merrill is the daughter of Tiffany and Christopher Merrill of Augusta. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Civil Rights Team, Spanish Club and Coniad Committee, and is captain of the varsity volleyball team. She was the president of this year’s Chizzle Wizzle, as well as an End. She is a member of the Cony Madrigals, high school band and concert choir, and is a Senior Performance Company Dancer at Dance Unlimited.

Merrill has received the MMEA High School District III Honors Music Festival and MMEA Maine Allstate Treble Choir awards. She was a Dirigo Girl’s State Delegate, and received the William’s College Book Award. She also received the Varsity Volleyball Coaches Award, and was named Student of the Month.

She volunteers at Dance Unlimited, along with the Cony Middle School band and chorus. She is the student coordinator for Project Period and attended Camino Seguro/Safe Passage in Guatemala City.

Merrill plans to attend the University of New England to study medical biology/pre-physician assistant, with an intended double minor in psychology and women’s gender studies.

Margaret Tyce is the daughter of Jane and Tim Tyce of Augusta. She is a member of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute and the German Honor Society. She participated in the GAPP German Exchange, All State Music Festival and the Capitol Area New Mainers Project.

Tyce has earned the Yale Book Award and a Vision of Inclusion publication. She volunteers at Vacation Bible School.

Tyce plans to take a gap year to work.

Hannah Richardson is the daughter of Toni and Stephen Richardson of Augusta. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Cony Madrigals, and is a huddle leader of the Cony Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of the varsity cross country, track and swim teams.

Richardson received the St. Michael’s College Book Award, and was the 2020 Maine Developmental Disabilities Council third-place essay winner. She was the 2020 Chizzle Wizzle vice-president and was selected as a Dirigo Girl’s State Delegate.

She volunteers serving meals at Penney Memorial Baptist Church and sewing masks for essential workers, and serves as a volunteer huddle leader at FCA Summer Kids Sports camp.

Richardson plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, to pursue a degree in social work.

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