For Immediate Release: October 11, 2024

Contact: Corrie Kerr, Director of Communications, Email Corrie Kerr, (774) 670-4336 

Natick Students Honored With M.A.S.S. Certificates of Academic Excellence

NATICK, Mass. – Natick Public Schools is proud to announce that two of its students, Eva Sotiri and Benjamin L. Vose, have received Certificates of Academic Excellence from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.). This distinguished award, traditionally presented in the fall of the recipients’ senior year, is given to individuals “who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence during their high school careers,” according to M.A.S.S. Eva and Ben were formally recognized at the Natick School Committee’s October 7 meeting.

Eva Sotiri demonstrated exceptional academic commitment throughout her time in Natick, becoming an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the National Honor Society, and earning the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Her passion for STEM is evident in her coursework, including AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Computer Science, AP Statistics and AP Calculus.

Reflecting on receiving the award, Eva said, "I was very happy and proud when I heard I won the award because it means a lot to me personally. I have always been a very hard-working student, and I put a lot of pride in my academics, so getting this award makes me feel like all that hard work and dedication I’ve put toward school is paying off.\

Beyond academics, Eva is the captain of the varsity volleyball team and actively participates in clubs like Med Club, Girl Up and Kids for Wish. She also tutors at both Wilson Middle School and the Russian School of Mathematics in addition to volunteering at Camp Arrowhead.

Eva attributes her success to her parents’ support and their emphasis on education.

"I am a first-generation American, and I am so thankful for the sacrifices that my parents had to make to allow me to grow up in the United States and have so many great opportunities. My parents have ingrained the importance of school into me from a very young age,” she said.

Benjamin L. Vose distinguished himself as a top student with a deep interest in physics, a subject he intends to pursue in college. He has achieved academic success in AP Computer Science and has excelled in language studies, placing second in a national essay contest by the Chinese Language Association of Secondary Schools.

On receiving the Certificate of Academic Excellence, Ben said, "It feels great to have all of my hard work acknowledged. I try really hard to balance schoolwork with sports, my job, volunteering, and friends and family, so it feels good to know that I was able to maintain high standards."

Ben’s extracurricular accomplishments include community service projects, such as establishing a mountain bike trail network in the Hunnewell Town Forest and working at Landry’s Bicycles.  He gave credit to a network of mentors and supporters in helping him meet his goals.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my family and my teachers, particularly Mr. Sanford, who runs the science bowl club,” he said.

“I would also like to thank Denver Greene and Mark Gray at Landry’s Bicycles for being great bosses and mentors. For my community service work in the Hunnewell Town Forest, I would like to thank my collaborator and classmate, Ryan Tracy, as well as Doug Drenik, of the Natick Trail and Forest Stewardship Committee, and Natick Conservation Agent Claire Rundelli. I would also like to thank Christian Espana at the A Place to Turn food pantry. Lastly, I would like to thank Lacrosse Coach Nate Kittler and last year’s captain, David Popp. All of these people have helped me become a well-rounded human in addition to a high achieving student.”

"Eva and Ben exemplify the qualities we strive to instill in our students—dedication, leadership, and a commitment to learning,” said Dr. Melissa Spash, Natick Public Schools Superintendent. 

“Their achievements, both in and out of the classroom, are a testament to their hard work and the support of our entire school community. It was an honor to recognize them at the School Committee meeting."