JAY — Diligent attention to their studies has paid off for Spruce Mountain High School Valedictorian Liesel Krout of Fayette and Salutatorian Amber Delaney of Livermore.

Asked how she felt about earning the top academic standing in the Class of 2016, Krout said, “I guess just satisfaction, because all the hard work I do paid off.”

“It was my goal to get in the top two,” Delaney said. “I was just happy that I got to see that through.”

Krout will attend the University of Maine at Farmington in the fall with a double major in biology and communications. She said that once she completes her bachelor’s degree, “I’d just like to get a job that I really enjoy doing that will benefit people.”

Delaney will attend UMaine in Orono for mechanical engineering. “I’m thinking about picking up a double major in environmental studies,” she said.

She said that after she finishes her bachelor’s degree, she’s considering going for a master’s degree.

“I’d like to get into the renewable energy industry,” she said. “I’m really interested in tidal power and what they’re developing at UMO.”

Krout said she has enjoyed being part of the Envirothon team at Spruce Mountain, even though it’s a lot of work.

“That’s taken up quite a bit of time. It’s really fun, though,” she said. “It’s given me a really nice perspective on the environment.”

She also has been on the math team, has played soccer and track for four years, is vice president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the senior class.

Delaney took part in Envirothon all four years of high school and has been on the SMART Robotics team the past three years. For the past two years, she has been the build captain for the robotics team.

Her other in-school activities included secretary of the National Honor Society, senior class vice president and being a member of the math team. She played basketball her freshman year and was on the Nordic ski team for the past three years, serving as captain this year.

Delaney also played softball her first two years, soccer for four years (serving as team captain last fall), and has done track the last two years. She is part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Outside school, Krout is involved in the youth group at Fayette Baptist Church and has a part-time job. Delaney is a member of the St. Rose of Lima Church youth group and has done volunteer projects with her mother, Sarah Delaney, cleaning parks around town.

Krout thanked her parents, Roy and Lisa Krout, for their support.

“I’d also like to thank Ms. (Annette) Girardin for challenging me and teaching me it’s OK to fail,” she said. “I’d like to thank Rob Taylor for encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and encouraging me to take difficult classes and try new things.”

Delaney said she was grateful for Girardin and her outstanding math teaching.

“I feel like she’s prepared all of us for college,” Delaney said. “And definitely Rob Taylor. He just introduced so many new activities to me. He got me involved in pretty much everything. Also, Mr. Lemieux and all of the robotics mentors for challenging me and teaching me. And my parents (Sarah and Richard).”

Krout said she will miss the people, students and teachers at Spruce Mountain High School.

“The teachers pretty much set the atmosphere of the school,” she said. “And good friends. Everyone’s going off in different directions.”

Delaney said, “I’m really going to miss robotics and Nordic skiing and track, just all the connections I made.” 

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

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