The following announcement was provided by Minuteman High School:
Minuteman High School has named four outstanding students as Students of the Term for Term 1 of school year 2018-19: freshman Dylan Higgins of Acton, sophomore Angelina Amico of Stow, junior Julia (Jewels) Andersen of Belmont and senior Darian Casseus of Watertown.
This honor is awarded to one student from each grade level based upon nominations from teachers and other staff members. The criteria include academic achievement and good citizenship, according to Assistant Principal Brian Tildsley.
All four students attended a luncheon in their honor at the Fife & Drum Restaurant at Minuteman recently, had their photo taken with Principal Jack Dillon and the teacher(s) who nominated them and were given certificates in recognition of their achievement.
In his nomination of senior Darian Casseus, Assistant Principal Tildsley wrote, “I would love to nominate Darian Casseus for Student of the Term. He is a conscientious student, hard worker, always kind and helpful to other students, and is just an amazing kid and student athlete.” Mr. Casseus is majoring in Electrical Technology at Minuteman and his favorite academic subject is math. In his free time, he likes to work out and he hopes to play football in college.
Freshman Dylan Higgins was nominated for Student of the Month by four of his teachers. “Dylan Higgins is a polite, conscientious student who has a passion for learning,” wrote teacher Nicole Devereaux. “He asks relevant, probing questions in class discussions and is always eager to help out a peer who may be struggling. He never complains and is a pleasure to have in class every single day. He is a role model for all students at Minuteman.” The career and technical education field that interests Mr. Higgins is biotechnology. He wants to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry. In his spare time, he likes playing the guitar, hiking and reading. Mr. Higgins’ future career interests include microbiology research.
Assistant Principal of Academic Programs / Director of Admissions George Clement nominated sophomore Angelina Amico, stating, “I would choose Angelina Amico, a Student Ambassador who helps out at school events. She is an amazing student and a very nice and sincere kid.” A Design and Visual Communications major at Minuteman, Ms. Amico wants to pursue a career as an animator, photographer or graphic designer. Her favorite academic subject is Biology II. Ms. Amico looks forward to earning a bachelor’s degree in art.
Junior Julia (Jewels) Andersen was nominated by Assistant Principal of Academic Programs / Director of Admissions George Clement, who wrote, “She has helped at every Admissions event this year. A Culinary student who always is there to help her peers. A very mature kid and fantastic citizen.” Her favorite academic subject is chemistry. Ms. Andersen enjoys crocheting blankets and baby hats for hospitals. In college, she would like to pursue a dual major in Culinary Arts and business, and eventually open her own bakery.
Minuteman is eight months away from moving into a new $145 million facility that has been designed to support a robust college and career academy model. The academy model was adopted by staff and administration to create smaller “schools within a school” thereby promoting more personalized learning founded upon close relationships between students and teachers. The Minuteman college and career academy model integrates rigorous academics with relevant technical programming in occupational areas providing individual economic opportunity. The new facility will accommodate project-based learning across disciplines, requiring students to learn how to work on a diverse team, solve problems and think critically. These are essential 21st-century skills that students practice and apply in a variety of school-based and work-based environments.
As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman inspires all students to attain their full potential, accelerate their learning, and become purposeful citizens in the global community.