PCA Announces Class of 2020 Highest Honors Students
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 Highest Honors students!
Erik Diehl
Erik Diehl, Valedictorian, son of Fred and Christine Diehl, was born and raised in York, Maine. Erik is currently planning to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, pursuing a major in mechanical engineering and a minor in engineering business.
Erik has maintained highest honors status throughout high school at Portsmouth Christian Academy. After founding a program to bring STEM topics to students in the Lower School, Erik developed and taught a robotics class for four years, introducing a 3D printing class in his junior year. Over his time in high school, the program raised nearly $10,000 for PCA’s STEM department and built two, brand-new 3D printers for the school to use. Erik also participated in PCA’s Robotics Club for three years, funding their entries into local competitions.
Erik is a recipient of the Turbocam Cross Culture scholarship for his essay entry and participation in expanding STEM during his time in high school. Erik also received a donation from York’s local Elks Lodge for his participation in their Most Valuable Student scholarship program. He is also a finalist in the Richard H. Pierce memorial scholarship, which will be decided at a later date.
Erik has been sailing for nearly 9 years, participating in 4.20-meter class racing for two years and working as a volunteer over the same time. After his time as a racer, Erik trained to be an instructor, becoming US Sailing Level 1 certified and teaching his first class the summer of his junior year. He plans on entering his second year as a full-time instructor this summer. Erik also enjoys skiing and has been part of PCA’s Ski Club for two years.
Caroline Brown
Caroline Brown, Salutatorian, is the daughter of Scott Brown and Stacey Delbridge of Hampton Falls. Caroline will be attending Purdue University in the fall and will pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering in the Purdue Honors College. Caroline was also accepted into the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, University of Delaware, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Caroline has maintained her status of highest honors while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy. Caroline served on the Student Council all four years and was also the secretary of the sophomore class. She also co-led a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle and was an active participant on the math and quiz bowl teams. Caroline played on the varsity softball team for three years, leading as a co-captain her junior season. She was planning on finishing her career in her senior season before spring sports were canceled.
Caroline was a member of the first-place science fair group her sophomore year. That summer, she was invited to Envision: National Youth Leadership Forum, and she attended the Engineering and Technology workshop in San Francisco, California. Caroline has received the Presidential Scholarship from Purdue University.
Throughout high school, Caroline has worked part-time at Nancy’s Café in Cape Neddick and at Lago’s Ice Cream in Rye. In the summers, she also volunteered as a camp counselor at the Hilton-Winn Farm in Cape Neddick.
Madison Baggs
Madison Baggs, the daughter of Terri Duston and David Bagg, resides in Dover, NH. Maddie will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the Peter T. Paul College. At UNH, Maddie will also be a part of the Rutman Fellows cohort for advancing women’s leadership. She was also accepted into Bentley University, Bryant University, Gordon College, and University of Vermont.
Maddie has maintained the highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She has served as Class Secretary during her junior and senior years. At PCA, Maddie was a member of Quiz Club and Prom Committee. She also was involved in the PCA Theatre Program, participating in the past three spring musicals, as well as serving as a backstage hand for the Lower School plays.
Maddie has received the Dean’s Scholarship at UNH as well as the Paul College Scholarship of Excellence, Rutman Leadership Fellows Scholarship, and UNH Engagement Award. She also received other merit-based scholarships from Bryant University, Gordon College, and University of Vermont.
Maddie attends Restoration Church in Dover. Maddie is a dedicated dancer and takes dance classes at Dance Envy Studio in Somersworth, taking jazz, ballet, tap, and hip-hop classes. She also competes with her studio at dance competitions around the New England area. Maddie also works part time at Duston’s Market, her family’s business in Dover.
Griffin Hotz
Griffin Hotz is the son of Dr. Matthew and Mrs. Daniele Hotz of Lee NH and has maintained highest honors while at PCA. He has run cross country (captain) and winter track, been a chapel speaker, played bass in praise team, upright bass in jazz band and was a member of Quiz Team.
He was also leader of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, a small group leader and an admissions ambassador. Griffin attends Rye Congregational Church and assists in the services there. He received the Trail Life USA’s Freedom Rangeman Award, its highest honor. He runs his own landscaping company and enjoys restoring cars. Griffin has been accepted to UNH, Hillsdale College and will attend Gordon College as an AJ Gordon Scholar to study biblical studies this fall.
Hannah Pellerin
Hannah Pellerin is the daughter of Brian and Leanne Pellerin of Rollinsford. She has maintained highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. Hannah will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY starting in the Fall of 2021. She will be pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering, with an intention to become a medical researcher. At the end of her junior year, Hannah received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Medal, a prestigious scholarship that will apply to each year she attends RPI.
Through National Youth Leadership Forum, Hannah was nominated by her teachers for several academic conferences. She accepted two of the nominations and attended a medical conference at the University of California Berkley in the summer of 2018, and a national security conference at the University of Maryland in July 2019.