AN ELITE EVENING

Region’s top high school students lauded at Honor Scholars Recognition Dinner

For more than 50 years, the North Shore Chamber has gathered the region’s top high school seniors together to celebrate their academic accomplishments and to spotlight their success.

The Chamber’s annual North Shore Honor Scholars Dinner was held on May 10 and highlighted the top 5 percent of graduating seniors from more than 30 public and private high schools across the region. More than 350 seniors were recognized. They were joined by family members, school officials and representatives of the business community at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Danvers.

The event’s premier sponsor was EBSCO Information Services, based in Ipswich, a leading provider of research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, ebooks and discovery service for academic libraries, K-12 schools and public libraries.

Tim Collins, CEO and founder of EBSCO Information Services, delivered the keynote address. As he spoke to students, Collins shared his “6 Principles for Success in Your Life”: Balance thinking and doing; Stay positive; Be your word; Help others; Be driven; and Minimize regrets. Collins’ provided each Honor Scholar with a copy of his inspirational book where he discusses those principles.

Justin Chen, of Beverly High School, and Arsema Gebreyesus, a student at Lynn English High School opened the program and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegience.

Salem High School valedictorian

Alessandra Granniss performed the National Anthem.

Each scholar’s name was read aloud by a representative of their school. Principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors and other educators took turns at the podium. Joe Riley, executive vice president of Retail Banking Services for Salem Five Bank and the chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and David Morales, general manager of UniCare and a member of the Board of Directors, presented the scholars with their certificates of achievement.

Karen Andreas, president and CEO of the North Shore Chamber, served as emcee.

The Honor Scholars tradition began in 1968 with only the students of Beverly High School being recognized. That’s because The Chamber — at that time — served only the City of Beverly. As The Chamber expanded to encompass the entire North Shore, so, too, did the scope of the Honor Scholars event.

This year’s Honor Scholars recognized students from Beverly High School, Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Clark School in Rowley, Covenant Christian Academy in Peabody, Danvers High School, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School in Hathorne, Gloucester High School, Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, Ipswich High School, Landmark School in Beverly, Lynn Classical High School, Lynn English High School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Lynnfield High School, Manchester Essex Regional High School, Marblehead High School and Masconomet Regional High School in Boxford.

Also, New England Academy in Beverly, Newburyport High School, North Andover High School, North Reading High School, Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Peabody P.R.E.P. (Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program), Pingree School, Rockport High School, St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Salem Academy, Salem High School, Saugus High School, Swampscott High School, Triton

“ On behalf of the 2,100, deeply committed Eastern Bank employees who I represent, congratulations on being named a 2023 Honor Scholar. To achieve top 5% status in your class is a truly extraordinary feat that required discipline, acumen and consistency. As a parent of a 2015 North Shore Chamber Honor Scholar, I can attest to how proud your parents, families and friends are of you. Best of luck in the future, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us at Eastern Bank along the way.”

Paul Kurker, Senior Vice President, Eastern Bank

“

As president and CEO of the Institution for Savings, I congratulate all students being honored tonight for graduating in the top 5% of your class. Only 345 students on the North Shore have achieved this. We are proud of you all — the very best of luck in the future!”

Mike Jones, President/ CEO, Institution for Savings