Many colleges and universities offer books and certificates to honor the academic, extracurricular, leadership and volunteer work of members of the junior class. Perhaps the most interesting part of these awards is that the message of each book travels far beyond the reach of the pages. Colleges place the book in an aspiring youth’s hands, symbolically passing down knowledge from one generation to the next, and the book takes on new meaning.

Each word on the page becomes a new path for the reader to follow into the future, encouraging an atmosphere of lifelong learning. Each chapter becomes another way to use knowledge to create positive change around the globe. In today’s world, often filled with sadness and fear, Junior Book Awards preserve the joy of reading and instill hope for learners and leaders of the future.

We are honored to recognize a number of students for their intelligence, determination, motivation, and achievement, but most of all their genuine personality and authenticity that have shined brightly throughout the school year.

Brandeis Book Award ( Pavitra Balachundhar): Is awarded to a student with outstanding academic achievement who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.

Bryn Mawr Book Award (Britney Nakyeyune) : The student nominated for this award is a member of the junior class who embodies the core characteristics of a Bryn Mawr student - they exhibits an intense intellectual commitment, has a self-directed and purposeful vision of their life, and has a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Dartmouth Book Award (Abigail House) : Is given to a student in the top 10% of the junior class. They have attained an outstanding combined academic average in three college-preparatory subjects, two of which include Mathematics and English. Above all, the selected student has demonstrated outstanding leadership in a highly visible, school-sponsored activity and/or service to the community.

Harvard Book Award (Gabriel Lee): Sponsored by Harvard University, a prestigious Ivy League school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is presented to a junior who “displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields.” The winner of this award, through their intelligence and variety of achievement, exemplifies Harvard’s concern for excellence.

Lasell University Book Award (Javon Young) : Awarded to students for their tenacity and their willingness to face a challenge head on, students who have actively participated in extracurricular activities, and students who may be interested in attending Lasell University.

The Laura Lasa Book Award (Jack Applegate, Anna Giulia de Olivera): This award is given to a member of the Junior Class who models engagement in the classroom, lives an authentic life and has a meaningful impact in making LHS a more caring and compassionate community, attributes Laura Lasa valued and celebrated in students.

LHS Community Service Award (Mirra Payson, Zach Zeaske): Awarded to a student who has shown a true commitment to the LHS community to promote a positive school culture.

LHS Counseling Department Award (Brayden Lane, Zara Vlachos): Awarded to students who embody those traits we value as a community as set forth by our mission statement. The students serve as role models for the behaviors which help to make our campus a microcosm of the world we hope to create. The candidates have a social conscience, evidenced through commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others.

Oberlin College Book Award (Lucas Brenner): Given to an exceptional student in the junior class who has shown a commitment to the arts.

Richard Kollen Book Award (Arushi Aggarwal, Aysu Akil, Eleanor Caro, Ioannis (Alexios) Kontohanassis, Brayden Lane, Angie Leung, Alicia Li, Seiya Saneyoshi, Jaime Yu): Awarded to students who truly love history and have a genuine interest in the subject. These students are curious and look to extend their knowledge and understanding of history and are diligent and tenacious towards their study of history. These students have thoroughness, chasing every lead, finding all the sources that they can in order to find what they need for research. They do not take shortcuts, finding best evidence to support their ideas. They ask good questions and contribute towards helping their peers to learn.

Salem State University Book Award (Keegan Monteiro): Awarded to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to the community through work, volunteerism, family/peer commitment, and/or civic engagement.

Smith College Book Award (Anya Hajjar) Awarded to a student for academic excellence.

St. Lawrence University Book Award (Hayden Herrick): This award honors the achievements of a junior who has displayed a significant commitment to community service.

St. Michael's University Book Award (Luhongyi (Celine) Chang): The award is intended to highlight individuals who exhibit the characteristics of an ideal Saint Michael's student based on academic achievement and social conscience.

Suffolk University Book Award (Alaia Garcia-Mariscal): Given to a student who exemplifies a commitment to their education and school community.

Tulane University Book Award (Dolev Blander): The award recognizes high school juniors who embody Tulane's motto of "Not for one's self, but for one's own" and have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and public service.

UnSung Hero Book Award (Caroline Maus, Ruhi Middha): This book award is given to students who exemplify the qualities of creative problem solving, exuberance, humor, and authenticity. These qualities, although often overlooked, positively influence and contribute to the essence of community at LHS.

Wesleyan University Book Award (Marielle Nandy): Awarded to a student who demonstrates the attributes necessary to succeed in the pursuit of a liberal arts education - independent and creative thought and academic excellence in a wide range of subjects, as well as commitment and achievement in non-academic fields of interest.

Williams College Book Award (Nana Lee): Given to a student who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.

Yale University Book Award (Yazen Atiyyat): Given to an outstanding junior "For Outstanding Personal Character and Intellectual Promise."