(Students are) being honored not just for being top students, but for making lasting impressions.”

PHS Guidance Director Michael Monahan

PORTSMOUTH — Members of the Portsmouth High School community recently gathered in the school’s auditorium for the 29th annual PHS “Book Awards.”

Over 130 students were honored by a dozen teachers for their commitment to the science fair, creative writing, volunteer work and more. As for the award itself, each recipient earned a certificate along with a book donated to the PHS library in their name. These books included traditional novels, scientific biographies and art books examining painting, ceramics and more.  

In all, 151 students received 31 Book Awards. 

“(Students are) being honored not just for being top students, but for making lasting impressions,” said PHS Guidance Director Michael Monahan, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event. 

Mr. Monahan said the school already has lists such as the honor roll and organizations like the National Honors Society that reward students for scholastic achievement. The Book Awards represent a change from this orthodoxy,” he said.

“This is something special. Don’t take it lightly,” Mr. Monahan said.

The event is funded and organized by the Parents Helping Students Organization (PHSO), dedicated to connecting and recognizing members of the PHS family — teachers, students and parents. 

Along with the Book Awards, the PHSO coordinates the PHS Teacher Appreciation Breakfast in June and provides snacks during senior project presentations. The group next meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, in the PHS library. The public is welcome to attend.

2018 Book Awards recipients

Here’s the complete list of the 2018 PHSO Book Awards recipients: Bryana Aguiar, Anthony Almonte, Alexia Amaio, Charles Amand, Kyle Andrade, Mary Arkins, Abigail Armijo, Allyson Armin, Gabriella Assouramou, Anastasia Aten, Grace Bakun, Liliana Beauchemin, Mikael Boahin, Ryan Borg, Avery Boruch, Michael Boughton, Ashley Campion and Dante Canario.

Also, Lily Cassese, Claire Cavanagh, Ryan Connelly, Elon Cook, Wyatt Cory, Michaela Costa, Sachi Dahlin, Nathaniel Davies, Alexandra DeGroen, Maura Dennis, Macie Donahue, Fiona Dooley, Charles Duggan, Jake Elvin, Eireann Evans, Sarah Fabiano, Nicole Famiglietti, Kendall Ferris, Izabel Fesmire, Penelope Fiaschetti, Ella Fitzgerald, Patrick Ford and Merrick Gilstrap.

Also, Quinn Goglia, Connor Gonsalves, Andrew Goss, Molly Goulart, Alexis Greffen, Amanda Grier, Lauren Griffiths, Morgan Grinnell, Mark Gurney, Miriam Hall, Ashley Harnois, Laura Heffernan, Milla Hershman, Kyra Higgins, Madison Hollen, Joseph Hook, Madeline Houlihan, Luke Jackson, Jane Kaull, Faith Kneipp, Kaylee LaFrance, Madison Lambert, Margaret Lasky and Rebekah Lawson.

Also, Sabrina Leary, Kathleen Lee, Christina Lents, Allie Levine, Grace Madden, Marcus Magliocco, Raquelle Mairs, Anne Marshall, Danielle Mazur, Buhle Mbana, Katherine McGraw, Gianna McNally, Mary Jane Milici, Stefphon Miller, Hailey Miranda, Serena Mirisola, Timothy Mitchell, Michael Nardolillo, Sophia Palladini, Daniel Pantini, Autumn Pearce, Nicholas Perrotti and Ivy Perry.

Also, Natalie Pham, Paula Porro-Vasquez, Jessica Pugatch, Ellyn Ramroth, Imran Rashid, Amelia Reed, Paige Richardson, Morgan Ritchey, Brianna Roderick, Courtney Satterley, Kacey Shearman, Yuna Song, Ingram Spears, Mary Spigel, Ashley Stebbins, Seamus Stepalavich, Alicia Stevens, Colin Struckma, Daniel Sullivan, Keegan Sullivan, Maeve Sullivan and Jasmine Tammaro.

Also. Francesca Tavares, Kaitlyn Tavares, Regan Thayer, Cameron Thomas, Morgan Thomas, Erica Thompson, Isabella Tobin, Mackenzie Turner, Samantha Vye, Lucy Warburg, Juliana Weeden, Jessica Weidner, Anastasia Wheeler, Molly Whittaker, Claire Williams, Melanie Williams, Ryan Williams, Aden Wood, Ruth Wood, Victoria Wooten, Anna Yalanis and David Yuengert.