Press
release from Madison
Public Schools
Maliha
Tariq and Archibald Adams, seniors at Daniel Hand
High School, have been
awarded the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents’ (CAPSS)
Superintendent/Student Recognition Award for leadership service to the school,
academic prowess relative to ability, and service to others in the community.
The awards were presented at the Board of Education meeting Nov. 18. The
students will also be recognized at a luncheon sponsored by the Middlesex
Shoreline Superintendent’s Association (MSSA).
Superintendent
of Schools David J. Klein made the presentation as part of a program designed
by school administrators to recognize students who have served their schools
and communities while maintaining good scholastic progress.
Klein
described Maliha Tariq as a truly an outstanding student, with seemingly
endless academic interests and talents. As a first generation
Pakistani-American student, she has been raised to have a true understanding of
the power of an education. Growing up in New York City,
Tariq worked hard to be accepted into the most competitive New York City High School,
Townsend Harris High. Since she moved to Connecticut,
Daniel Hand High School
now has the privilege of having her as a member in high standing in both our
school and community.
Tariq
remains at the top of her class academically, where she consistently challenges
herself with advanced course work in all core subject areas. She has earned many
awards including the Townsend Harris High School Award in Biology, the Daniel
Hand High School Youth Rotary Leadership Award for the New Generations
Conference and academic excellence awards in Chemistry and Spanish. She was
nominated to participate in the Governor’s Scholar Essay Competition, and,
during the summer of 2008, she was awarded a full scholarship to the Earth
Watch Institute, a volunteer science expedition in New Mexico. Tariq has mastered the fine
balancing act between her extra curricular activities and her studies. She is
currently an active member of the Model United Nations Club, the Environmental
Club, and Fencing Club and is consistently available to serve as a peer tutor
and mentor. This year Tariq has been selected as a student member of the
Connecticut State Board of Education.
Klein
described Archibald Adams as a young man who incorporates genuine compassion,
sensitivity, and respect into all of his daily interactions with others in the
classroom, on the athletic fields, and in his social activities. He approaches
everything he pursues with a positive attitude and a determination to do his
best. He is an exceptional role model for others to follow. Adams
is an outstanding student who is driven by a high level of motivation. He is a
thoughtful participant in classroom discussions and activities demonstrating
independence and self- direction. He has eagerly pursued the most rigorous
program of study available over the past four years, balancing the demands of
these courses with relative ease.
Adams has demonstrated a commitment to serving
others in the community through his involvement as vice-president of Interact
and Peer Advocates. As well he has made a significant commitment to athletics,
being voted captain for his senior year of the varsity cross country and track
teams, although he was not able to compete for most of his junior year due to
an injury. This speaks volumes about his character, and the admiration and
respect earned from his coaches and fellow athletes. Adams
has been described as the “consummate gentleman”. He is gregarious, congenial,
thoughtful, sensitive, easygoing, and down to earth.
The
Superintendent/Student Recognition Program awards a Certificate of Excellence
at the discretion of the local superintendent of schools. Awards are presented
during American Education Week, Nov. 16 to 22.
CAPSS,
the statewide school superintendents’ professional organization, is based in West Hartford and provides professional development,
personal support, statewide conferences, legislative information, and
educational services to its membership.