Portsmouth Christian Academy Recognizes Top Seniors From the Class of 2025
DOVER, NH — MAY 23, 2025 — Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA) is pleased to announce its top-ranking seniors from the Class of 2025. This recognition highlights students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and strong character throughout their high school years.
Phoebe Gaulin, Valedictorian
Phoebe Gaulin is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. She is the daughter of Scott and Michele Gaulin of Rochester. Phoebe will be attending Cedarville University in the fall. There she will major in English with a minor in publishing. Phoebe was accepted to 11 other schools, most of which offered her merit scholarships. These include Gordon College, Houghton University, Messiah University, and Virginia Wesleyan University.
Phoebe has earned many accolades during her time at Portsmouth Christian Academy. She has maintained highest honors for all four years of high school and will graduate with a Diploma of Distinction for her academic achievement in extensive and rigorous coursework. Phoebe served as Vice President of her Freshman class and as a Senior she was chosen for the selective leadership role of Academic Prefect.
Phoebe participated in Portsmouth Christian Academy’s theater department for seven years, acting in numerous productions. Phoebe has attended Emanuel Advent Christian Church for most of her life. There she participated on the worship team and acted in church musical productions. She has enjoyed her time on the stage and loves letting her creative light shine. Phoebe is also a championship level Irish step dancer, placing Top 5 in the region in 2021.
Elizabeth Menchen, Salutatorian
Elizabeth Menchen is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2025. She is the daughter of Matt and Katie Menchen and lives in Portsmouth. After graduation, she will be taking a gap year, which she hopes to use primarily to explore different career opportunities before pursuing further education.
Elizabeth is graduating from Portsmouth Christian Academy with highest honors and has consistently excelled in the rigorous academic programs. While at PCA she discovered and developed natural talents for Spanish, writing, and all forms of art. In addition to academics, Elizabeth discovered an interest in theater during her junior year and has participated in both junior and senior year musicals, both of which she enjoyed immensely.
Before attending Portsmouth Christian Academy, Elizabeth was homeschooled and part of a Classical Conversations community until transferring to PCA her freshman year.
During high school, Elizabeth worked at Market Basket as a cashier for two years before discovering a deep love for working at a local farm, where she has been working for two years now. Her tasks at the farm range anywhere from milking cows to preparing fields for planting.
This year she will be continuing work at the farm, spending some time in Ireland, and exploring various career options to determine her next course of action.
The remaining eight seniors are listed in alphabetic order and not by rank.
Quinn Arico
Quinn Arico is the daughter of York and Susan Arico of Rollinsford. Quinn will be attending Gordon College in the fall and will pursue a degree in Social Impact Ministries. She will also be playing volleyball and rowing crew at Gordon. Quinn was also accepted to Grove City College, Wheaton College, Houghton College, Saint Anslem College, and Cedarville University.
Quinn has earned highest honors while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. In Quinn’s senior year she was an athletic prefect, small group leader, and mission club leader. She participated in a school mission trip to Puerto Rico in 2024 and did and independent missions’ trip to the Philippines in 2025.
Quinn attended Lyme Old Lyme High School for her freshman and Sophomore year where she was a member of Student Government and where she achieved highest honors.
Quinn has received the Salt & Light Scholarship and the Kiwanis Club of The Seacoast Scholarship.
Quinn attends Durham Evangelical Church. She plays volleyball for Portsmouth Christian Academy where she was named 1st team all-state and player of the year for the Granite State Conference. She was a team captain and broke the school single season kill record.
Gideon Beal
Gideon Beal, son of Pete and Louise Beal, is a graduating senior at Portsmouth Christian Academy. This fall, he will attend University of New Hampshire to study Exercise Science and has been invited to join the Hamel Honors College program. He was also offered admission to Norwich University and earned merit scholarships from both institutions. In addition, he is a recipient of the Turbocam Salt and Light scholarship.
Gideon began his educational journey at PCA 12 years ago. He served PCA in student government and in his senior year as a Spiritual Life Prefect. He was a member of his church’s mission team to Honduras, partnering with Serve Hope in the summer of 2024, and also participated in a mission trip with PCA to Puerto Rico, partnering with Dream Center Esperanza, in February of 2025.
Gideon is a dedicated scholar-athlete, competing in four seasons of soccer, 3 seasons of baseball and 2 seasons of track and field. Additionally, Gideon contributed musically as a vocalist for PCA’s chapel team and co-led several worship nights hosted by his school and church. He is also a student leader in the youth group at Durham Evangelical Church.
Mavrick Burgess
Mavrick Burgess is the son of Robert and Angelita Burgess of Dover. Mavrick will be attending High Point University in the fall and will pursue a 3+2 in Exercise Science and Athletic Training. Mavrick applied Early Decision to High Point University.
Mavrick has maintained highest honors every quarter of every year while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy. Additionally, he ended his freshman year with the highest GPA in his class. Mavrick started on the varsity soccer team all four years and was a captain in his senior year. He also was a member of the Missions Club and served in Puerto Rico in his senior year.
Mavrick has been accepted into the Health Science Fellows program at High Point University. He has also received a Presidential Scholar Merit Award along with a Presidential Increase. His decision to apply early decision to High Point University has also granted him a tuition free master’s degree.
Mavrick attends Restoration Church in Dover, where he actively serves in kid’s church as well as in broadcasting. He also works part-time at The York River Landing in Maine.
Stephen Doherty
Stephen Doherty, the son of Stephen and Emily Doherty of Newmarket, has attended Portsmouth Christian Academy since first grade. Throughout his academic career at Portsmouth Christian Academy. Stephen has maintained High Honors and was a member of the soccer team for his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Additionally, Stephen has also received the Seal of Biliteracy for the Spanish language and will graduate with a Diploma of Distinction for his academic achievement in extensive and rigorous coursework.
Stephen was accepted to the University of New Hampshire, Florida Institute of Technology, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and received merit scholarships at all three institutions. He will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida in the fall, where he will pursue a degree in Aeronautical Science with Flight. He plans to continue his flight training, which has been a focus throughout his senior year, with the goal of a career as an airline pilot.
Graison Odom
Graison Odom is the son of Dan and Lauren Odom of Hampton Falls. Graison will be attending Grove City College in the fall and will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Graison was also accepted at the University of New Hampshire, University of Alabama, and Florida Institute of Technology.
Graison has maintained highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. Graison served as vice-president of the senior class and has been a member for one year. He was a member of Prom Committee for his senior year. Graison was also a member of a mission team which worked with an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico two years ago.
Graison attended Coe Brown Northwood Academy for his freshman and sophomore year, where he achieved highest honors, and was a member of the varsity tennis team.
Graison attends Hampton Falls First Baptist Church, where he is an active member of the youth group. Graison works part time at Dodge’s Agway Farm and Garden in Hampton Falls and Exeter. He enjoys lighting weights and also enjoys playing basketball and pickleball in his free time.
Adelynn Salmons
Adelynn Salmons is the daughter of Wesley and Davina Salmons of Durham and originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She will be attending Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri to pursue education in Radiologic Technology.
Adelynn has maintained highest honors while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. She served as President of the Science and Medical Club from freshman to senior year and volunteered at Card Farms in her free time.
Adelynn participates in track and field as co-captain in both winter and spring seasons in certain years of her high school career; however, her senior year is particularly notable. In the winter season of her senior year her and her relay team broke two school records in the girls 4x200m and the 4x160m relay. In spring track of her senior year, she beat the school record for the girls 100m dash with a time of 13.41 and broke the girls 4x100m relay with her team.
Adelynn attends Tyngsborough Church of Christ where she participates in ladies’ day events, gospel meetings and is active in her faith, giving all the glory to God.
Liana Stuart
Liana Stuart is the daughter of James and Rebecca Stuart. Liana is eager to be following her aspirations by using the coming year to serve and spread the Gospel outside the United States separate from the college context. However, she is hopeful to attend college following the coming year to grow her communication, project management and interpersonal skills for outreach and ministry service. Lia was accepted at Grove City college in Pennsylvania, Gordon college in Massachusetts and University of New Hampshire.
Liana has maintained highest honors status while attending Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover. Lia has served as a small group leader for 2 years, as both a Junior and Senior. As a small group leader, Lia has been able to make deep, spiritual connections with her classmates. Lia was also blessed to be able to serve her school community as an Academic Prefect (a schoolwide student leader organizing programs and fostering a positive high school environment.)
During her freshman year, Lia was homeschooled. While homeschooling, she flourished both academically and spiritually in preparation for the coming 3 years at Portsmouth Christian Academy.
Lia attends Grace Community Church in Rochester, where she is an active member of the youth group and church family. She did aerial dance at Sole City during her sophomore and junior years in high school. At PCA, Lia enjoyed joining theater and has played multiple roles in one-act plays as well as the yearly musicals. She played as the fox/footman in Cinderella, a Manhattan newsie in Newsies and played the Conductor and featured dancer in Music Man. Additionally, she competed in women’s gymnastics until age 14 and loves now having the opportunity to use her skills to enhance theater performances.
Minghao Ye
Minghao Ye is the son of Junxiang Ye and Xueyan Mo of Hangzhou, China. Minghao will be attending the University of Washington in Seattle this fall to study engineering. He was also accepted to the University of California, Davis; University of California, Irvine; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Ohio State University; and Rutgers University. He also received a $53,000 Provost Award from UC Davis.
Minghao has maintained high and highest honors throughout his high school career at Portsmouth Christian Academy and will graduate with a STEM Diploma for additional coursework in math, science, and technology.
Minghao served as the captain of the Math Team in his junior year, leading the team to a 3rd place finish at the 50th New Hampshire Mathematics Competition. He was also a dedicated member of the Science Club and published a scientific paper on how record-breaking rainfall affected the spread of bittersweet in the Bellamy River watershed.
Minghao played on the PCA basketball team, won two championships and one runner-up title, and was captain of the PCA tennis team.
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Portsmouth Christian Academy has been inspiring students on the seacoast to maximize their potential for more than 40 years. PCA provides a nurturing educational environment that emphasizes Christ-centered community, outstanding academics, differentiated learning, and exceptional character. Located just minutes northwest of Portsmouth, NH on a beautiful 70-acre riverfront campus, PCA is a dually accredited, independent, college-preparatory, day school where young people from Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire in preschool through Grade 12 are challenged to thrive academically and grow as servant-leaders prepared to impact the world for good. For more information, please visit pcaschool.org.