Academic excellence was celebrated at the School Committee meeting Monday night, May 5, as two students were honored with the prestigious superintendent’s award.

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence is an award given out across the state's 351 communities to recognize students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence during their high school careers.

This year’s Dartmouth recipients were seniors Audrey Kertscher and Tyler Ferreira.

Since she turned 15, Kertscher has been an intern for the labs at the Lifespan Center for International Health Research at Brown University, making progress in research on malaria.

Principal Ryan Shea said, “Audrey exemplifies what it means to be a student who goes above and beyond the traditional learning to represent something greater than herself.”

Throughout her career at Dartmouth High School, Kertscher has sought out rigorous coursing, taking Advance Placement class when possible and opting for dual enrollment when seeking more.

In addition to her success in academics, she is well-involved in the school’s theater and music programs, finishing out the year as president of the show choir group, Dynamix. She is also a finalist for the Poetry Out Loud contest.

She is also a two-season varsity athlete, competing on the school’s track team. 

Shea said in these roles Kertscher “exhibits remarkable discipline and team leadership.”

He added, “Audrey approaches all her accomplishments with humility and genuine desire to improve her community.”

In the fall, she will be headed to John Hopkins University to study public health on a pre-med track, with a minor in Spanish.

Shea said Ferreira "distinguished himself through exceptional academic achievement, paired with dedicated leadership.”

Like Kertscher, Ferreira also chose a rigorous academic path, taking 10 Advanced Placement courses between his junior and senior year. Shea describes him as the “premiere STEM student,” having taken seven advanced STEM courses, including AP Physics C: Mechanics, “which I must say is probably one of the toughest AP classes we’ve offered here.”

Shea highlighted how impressed he was with the “remarkable intellectual capacity to balance such demanding schedules.”

Ferreira has dedicated much of his time to the school as a member of the band and robotics team: “In these roles, he has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities, mentoring younger students and helping strengthen these programs for future generations,” Shea said, adding, “What truly sets Tyler apart is how he uses his talents to elevate others around him.”

Outside of school, he has seen success in the Boy Scouts, having earned the Eagle Scout title.

In the fall, he will head to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study mechanical engineering.

School Committee Chair Elizabeth Couglin said, “We are all so proud of you. You reflect Dartmouth High School and Dartmouth in a wonderful way.”