By Carol Britton Meyer

A number of high-achieving Hull Public Schools students were recognized at this week’s school committee meeting, with a crowd of parents present to show support and to cheer for them.

There hasn’t been a group that large at a school committee meeting for some time, Chair Stephanie Peters noted.

“It’s exciting!” she said.

Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn announced that Bridget Fleming was recognized recently by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, which annually provides an award to a senior from every school district in the state related to class standing, cumulative average, class rank, and leadership, and presented the award to Fleming.

Kuehn praised her as a leader who exemplifies “academic and civic excellence with ease and grace and is well-respected by her peers and the staff.” Fleming has also received numerous sports and other awards.

The recipients of the National School Development Council Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning award were also announced: TD Doty, who was not present, and Brennan Minucci.

This award is presented to high school seniors who have consistently pursued a high level of academic effort and who have also served as positive role models for fellow students. Recipients also exemplify admirable character and accomplishment.

Doty has been involved with bullying prevention and in conversations about inclusion and acceptance, Kuehn said. He is also involved in the theater arts program in costume design and as a member of the stage crew.

Kuehn called Minucci “a kind person who has shown much growth and resilience during his high school career. A shining example is his work in the athletic department.”

Due to an injury, Minucci had to step away from participating in sports but continues to support Hull athletes in his role as Athletic Director Connor Duhaime’s “right hand man” after completing an internship,” according to Kuehn. “Brennan is also an excellent student.”

Principal Michael Knybel presented certificates to two HHS students who were named in the National Merit Scholarship Program by the College Board: Matthew Sullivan and Austin Bongo.

Sullivan was recognized for an outstanding score on the junior PSATs after placing among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants nationwide of all students who took the PSAT in the fall of 2021. “This means Matthew is in the top 3% in the nation,” Knybel said. 

Bongo, who was not present, earned Academic Honors for the College Board National Recognition Program. Students who may be eligible for this award are those “who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT or have earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams; who are African American or Black, Hispanic American, or Latinx, or Indigenous; and/or attend school in a rural area or small town,” Knybel explained.

Knybel also recognized Veronica Fleming for achieving a perfect MCAS score in Grade 10 mathematics.

“Perfect scores are pretty rare,” he said.