BETHEL — On March 11, Sarah Chase was awarded The 2024 Maine Principal’s Award by Telstar High School Principal John Eliot.

“To get [this award] from Mr. Eliot is just such an honor … it feels like extra validation. “I have worked really hard throughout high school …  It’s a really good feeling to be noticed,” said Chase.

Eliot said, “As a member of the student council and one of our senior class officers, Sarah has proven herself to be a leader in and out of the classroom. Academically, Sarah has been on high honors every semester throughout her high school years and will graduate with Magna Cum Laude Honors.

“Sarah is also a three season athlete and a big part of Telstar’s soccer, basketball, and softball teams. Along with this recognition, Sarah will receive a check in the amount of $250 to be used towards her expenses,” said Eliot.

The Principal’s Award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship. 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.

Chase, of Bethel, is a senior who said what she loves most about school is being a part of something. When there was a snow day or a vacation break she was always eager to return, she said.

English and Science are her best subjects. She said, “I’m really good at writing essays,” and said she has chosen Dr. Poston’s English classes nearly every year for more of a challenge. In the sciences she has taken Forensics, Biology, and Chemistry.

She said she struggled through high school trying to figure out what she wanted to do for a career. After volunteering at the Crescent Park School Field Day, she knew. “I always knew I liked working with kids. It solidified that this was what I would like to do with my future. I want to be able help kids.” She will go to college for psychology and hopes to be a behavioral aide for young children.

Chase has five older siblings. Her brothers are Cameron and Cody and her sisters are Jewel, Cassidy and Corey. Her father is Wally Chase of Andover and her mother is Melissa Smith and her stepdad is Bob Smith, of Bethel.

She credits several teachers with helping her at Telstar. Miss “I” (Tera Ingraham), “she’s very supportive … she’ll definitely keep you on track. Mr. O’Connor, he is somebody my mom had in school … he’s such a great person … Miss Christiansen, love her, very personal relationship with her as well … then of course, Mr. Eliot … I’ve grown up with him as a separate father figure. I have played on many softball teams for him. I’ve seen the strict side, but I’ve seen that loving side of him. He’s always there for me whenever I need anything,” said Chase.

She remembers the principal’s daughter, Makenzie Eliot as, “the first person to talk to me,” when she moved from Andover to Bethel halfway through first grade. She said Madison Gingras moved here in sixth grade, and the two have been friends ever since. Kyra Rosa-Espinoza, Bella Bennett, Karen Marshall and her cousin Cruze Kimball, are other friends.

Her class winning Winter Carnival as juniors is something she will never forget. “When they announced the winners in the auditorium. Everybody was just silent … It was a really fun time for our class to come together as one. Our class has always been a super close knit class … I really was just so proud of all of us,” said Chase.

Chase and Eliot and other award winners will attend an Honors Luncheon on Saturday, April 6. The Honors Luncheon recognizes  outstanding students with the presentation of an individual plaque and chance of being awarded one of the ten $1,000 scholarships in the names of former Maine principals and MPA executive directors Horace O. McGowan, Richard W. Tyler, and Richard A. Durost.

As spring approaches, Chase said she is excited for softball. “Softball is my jam. Something I have been doing since I was three years old.” She plays third base, center field and other positions.

“I’m sure you’ll see me out there this spring,” she said.

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