TURNER – Crystal Rona Peterson, class of 2005 at Leavitt Area High School in Turner, a recipient of the 2003-2004 National Honor Roll award, has been selected as an inductee for the 2004-2005 school year “because of outstanding academic performance…,” said Lynn Romeo, Student Nomination Committee chairwoman.

Peterson has received numerous awards throughout her school years. She was the recipient of the National Science Award in sixth grade for her invention, “Miss Drainer Strainer,” and was recognized by Bob Vila and Sears with a cash award at a school presentation in her honor.

She has achieved honor roll, high honor roll and student of the month status and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society at Leavitt.

Peterson has also been active in community service, working throughout her school years on projects for “Make a Difference Day.” For several years she also worked as a concert volunteer for the Maine Music Society, a classical music organization.

Throughout her academic years, Peterson has undertaken many artistic endeavors. She has been a member of the SAD 52 music program since 1996, playing baritone and clarinet for the Leavitt Area High School Marching and Concert Bands.

A member of the Leavitt Drama Team, she has performed as Gloria Rasputin in “Bye Bye Birdie” and as Joy, one of the evil stepsisters, in the musical, “Cinderella.”

She assisted in the stage management of LAHS’ fall production of “The Crucible” and will perform the lead role of Mother Abyss in the school’s January production of “Sound of Music.” She is also a cast member of Auburn’s Community Little Theatre, having performed in the “Wizard of Oz,” the “60th Anniversary Review” and most recently in last summer’s musical, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Peterson was a member of Cecile Phinney’s Art of Dance school in Greene for seven years, where she studied tap. She is also a member of the performance art company, “Shows to Go!” She was instrumental in choreographing the dance for the award-winning 2003 Maine State Parade performance of “Wonderful World, a New Orleans Street Party.”

Peterson has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. As a member of the French Club (of which she is currently president) she traveled to England and France last spring.

She hopes to pursue a career in performing arts, utilizing her talents as a singer, dancer, actress and comedienne. Schools she is interested in attending include the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, American Musical and Dramatic Academy and NYU in New York City, and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in Liverpool, England.

She is the daughter of Larry and Nancy Peterson of Leeds and the granddaughter of Emilien and Mary Denis of Lewiston.

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