Oxford Superintendent Award Winner aims high

By Steev Riccardo

Oxford - Oxford High School Senior Emily Barton has been awarded the Superintendent’s Award, which is given on a yearly basis to an outstanding student in the school district.

The award is sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and is presented to recognize the highest academic excellence and achievement. The requirements are to have maintained a very high GPA, to be involved in extracurricular activity, and to also give back to the community by volunteering.

Oxford Superintendent of Schools Allen Himmelberger calls the Superintendent’s Award, “the most prestigious award that school districts give out. Each year there are clear-cut winners of this award and this year was no different. Emily is an outstanding student who is involved in extracurricular activities and contributes to her community.”

Himmelberger, who is in his seventh year as superintendent, went on to say, “It’s the best part of being a superintendent when you can recognize student achievement. The award carries a lot of weight for students applying to colleges for admission.”

High School Principal Kevin Wells and the Guidance Department make the recommendation to the superintendent.

“I’m very proud to receive it, but it really hasn’t hit me yet,” said the senior, who was recognized this week at the Oxford School Committee meeting.

Aside from maintaining a brilliant 4.0 grade average, Barton is also the Senior Vice President of the National Honor Society and is in involved with the Invisible Children program, “which is working to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis which is taking place in Uganda involving child soldiers.”

Her real love is art and she loves to draw and listen to Country music when she is not studying.  She singled out Kris Kristofferson, Conway Twitty, Taylor Swift, and Sara Evans as some of her favorites.  She says her entire family is into Country accept her Mom who is into “80’s techno music.”

Her first choice of colleges is Boston College. She also has Northeastern University and UMass Amherst on her list. She has applied to Harvard, but said, “I’m not sure I want to go there.”

Barton wants to major in pre-law and social psychology and hopes to be a social worker and later become an attorney.

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