PARIS —  Benjamin Andrews of Norway and a Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School senior, has been selected to receive the 2016 Principal’s Award.

The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement, leadership and citizenship, Principal Ted Moccia said, in making the announcement.

HONOREE — Benjamin Andrews, playing his violin here, has earned the 2016 Principal’s Award for Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Active in numerous organization and activities ranging from the Nordic Ski Team to the Chamber Choir and Boy Scouts of America, Andrews exemplifies what Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School staff want all their students to be, Moccia said.

“His work ethic, his participation and achievements in sports and co-curricular activities and his high academic achievement over the course of his high school career make him a very deserving recipient. Ben is the kind of student that makes me proud to be his principal,” Moccia said in a statement released last week.

Andrews, son of Jeffrey and Roberta Andrews of Norway and a parishioner of Oxford Advent Christian Church, told the Advertiser Democrat that his greatest influence in his life has been his faith.

“My greatest influence has been my faith in God and belief that the things that I do have inherent purpose,” Andrews said.

Moccia said Andrews has distinguished himself as a leader at OHCHS.

“He has excelled in the classroom,” Moccia said.

Andrews, who is the valedictorian of the Class of 2016, is also a member of the OHCHS Math Team, where he served as captain in the 11th and 12th grade and earned second and third place awards in the Pi-Cone Math competitions during his high school years. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Andrews exhibits his athleticism as captain of the OHCHS cross country team and the Nordic Skiing Team. His musical abilities have been showcased with the Chamber Choir, the orchestra and as a member of community and school Broadway shows.

Andrews said he hopes to continue his education, perhaps at Dartmouth College.

“I am still waiting to hear from most of the colleges that I applied to. My top choice is Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. I intend to major in engineering or mathematics, but am still working out specifics,” he said.

Andrews’ advice to other students is simple, “I would advise younger students to do things for the sake of doing them, rather than trying to meet the expectations of others.”

The Principal’s Award was established in 1984 to recognize students for academic excellence and good citizenship. Each member school names a senior class student as its award recipient. Award winners and their principals participate in an honors luncheon each spring.

Each student receives a plaque and lapel pin in recognition of his/her achievement, according to information from the MPA. Five students, chosen by lottery from a pool of names of those students present at the luncheon, are awarded $1,000 scholarships.

Andrews and Moccia will join other award winners and their principals at the honors luncheon being held at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor on Saturday, April 2.

The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 100 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPA, the professional association which represents Maine’s school administrators.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net