Meet Our Harvard Prize Book Award Recipients

Congratulations to the five CCHS seniors who have been honored with the Harvard Prize Book Award for their outstanding academic achievements.

The students who received their awards from the Harvard Club of Boston were celebrated during the 32nd Annual Harvard Prize Book Award Breakfast on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

They were accompanied by School & College Counselors Mr. Shawn Dumas and Mrs. Lisa Finneran.

Also in attendance was a fellow Raider, Louis J. DiBerardinis '65, who is a member of the Prize Book Committee.

In addition, Mason Crowley '26 has been honored with the Harvard Prize Book Award by the Harvard Club of Merrimack Valley for his academic accomplishments.

Harvard Prize Book Award Recipients

• Mason Crowley '26, Harvard Club of Merrimack Valley
• Michelle Cuevas Tineo '26, Harvard Club of Boston
• Milena Mataac '26, Harvard Club of Boston
• Amelia Phillips '26, Harvard Club of Boston
• Ava Valcourt '26, Harvard Club of Boston

 

About the Harvard Prize Book AwardProgram

The Harvard Prize Book Program recognizes outstanding students who display excellence in academic scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields. Harvard Prize Book Awards are presented annually in select high schools around the world, and each award recipient receives a book about Harvard University to commemorate their achievement.

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Meet our Harvard Prize Book Award Recipients

 

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Mason Crowley '26

About Mason

• National Merit® Semifinalist
• Hometown: Lowell
• Middle School: Immaculate Conception School (Lowell, MA)

Activities

• Track & Field
• National Honor Society
• Student Alumni Association
• Student Ambassadors

Why is CCHS Special?

"Definitely the sense of community. Everyone makes such a sincere effort to welcome and understand each other, and it makes a huge difference."

Committed to Service

“My favorite service event is the SAA Christmas event because it’s a great opportunity for us as students to get together and celebrate the holidays while giving to those in need. I have also helped with the TeamWalk for Cancer Care in Lowell, the Haverhill golf tournament, the Special Field Games, and mentoring at Saint Mary's Church."

Faculty Role Models

"I have a lot of teachers that I’d like to thank, but I’d especially like to mention Coach Grella (Mr. Sully Grella '92, Math Faculty), who has consistently encouraged me to push myself to do the best work that I can in football and track; Mr. Griffin (Mr. Brian Griffin, Science Faculty) who makes even the worst of physics easy to understand; Mr. Boucher (Mr. Eric Boucher '04, Math Faculty), who makes sure that our class takes away more than calculus from his lessons; and Mr. Hebert (Mr. Cameron Hebert '17, Math Faculty), who has been a great example to me of how to get involved at Central and make the most of my time here."

Raider Legacy

• Sister: Makayla Crowley '29
• Cousins: Elena Zorbas '27 and Luke Zorbas '27

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Michelle Cuevas Tineo '26

Meet Michelle

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Lawrence
• Middle School: Lawrence Family Development Charter School (Lawrence, MA)

Activities

• Love For Lazarus, Band
• DECA
• Mock Trial
• Model UN
• Passport Club
• Theatre Guild
• Visions
• Flute Quartet
• National Honor Society
• Student Ambassadors
• Campus Ministry
• Outside CCHS
  • Tutor at Lawrence Family Development Charter School
  • Canobie Lake Park Cook
  • Thrive Scholars

Why is CCHS Special?

"The community. Central gets together for football games, liturgies, and pep rallies, and we also unite for food drives, the Christmas Project, and volunteering."

Committed to Service

"I love being able to make a difference, even if it’s small. I started Love For Lazarus for that reason, because I wanted to unite everyone to volunteer together and make a difference together."

"Helping serve food at Lazarus House or helping at the Thrift Store are really how I spend a lot of my summer, and I love greeting guests, especially since a lot of them speak Spanish."

"I also tutor at my old middle school where I play dodgeball with kids and help them with their homework, it feels really fulfilling when kids say that they enjoy your visits and ask when you’re coming back."

Faculty Role Models

• Mr. Denmead (Mr. Bruce Denmead, Music Teacher & Band Director) helped me learn how to play the flute in freshman year and is very dedicated to the band program;
• Mr. Sansoucie (Mr. Matthew Sansoucie '06, Math, Business, & Technology Faculty) as both the DECA teacher and my teacher in Macroeconomics and Entrepreneurship, has really helped me develop my passion for economics and business;
• Ms. Labrie [Mrs. Jessica (Dick '09) Labrie '09, English Faculty] helped me develop my research project and we organized tickets together for Theatre Guild;
• Mr. Griffin (Mr. Brian Griffin, Science Faculty) has helped me with Physics questions when I visit after school, he is always available for extra help;
• Mr. Benson (Mr. William Benson '11, Social Studies Faculty) has helped me enjoy history and is a source of support at school;
• Ms. Thompson [Mrs. Christine (Leonard '06) Thompson English Faculty) helped me improve my writing skills in AP Seminar and was very supportive.

The Future

"I want to study Economics so I can understand our economic systems and help address the issues that perpetuate poverty."

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Milena Mataac '26

About Milena

• National Merit® Semifinalist
• Hometown: Newbury
• Middle School: Immaculate Conception School (Newburyport, MA)

Activities

• Tennis
• National Honor Society, Vice President
• Raider Review Newspaper, Managing Editor
• Concert Band
• Liturgical Band & Chorus
• Student Ambassadors, E-Board
• Student Alumni Association, E-Board
• Visions Coffeehouse
• Camp Champagnat Leadership Institute, Student Leadership Team
• Art Club
• Outside of CCHS
  • Piano Lessons
  • Club Tennis

Why is CCHS Special?

"Central Catholic is a very special place, because it provides every student with an opportunity to pursue their own unique interests. There is always something new to try, and there are so many people here—teachers, faculty, and fellow students—who will never hesitate to give you their full support."

Committed to Service

"Over the past years, I have enjoyed participating in Marist Mentors, where I had the opportunity to work with children in physical and academic need from the community surrounding CCHS; altar serving at my local parish—Immaculate Conception Parish (Newburyport MA); and participating in Student Alumni Association events, including the Christmas Gift Wrapping Event and the Easter Egg Hunt, both of which benefited the least favored."

"I also volunteered this summer at the Museum of Old Newbury (Newburyport) and the Custom House Maritime Museum (Newburyport), working to preserve historical records and promote historical interest in my hometown."

Faculty Role Models

"I would like to thank Mr. Hebert (Mr. Cameron Hebert '17, Math Faculty), who has been a role model and source of support both in class and in extracurriculars; Mr. Denmead (Mr. Bruce Denmead, Music Teacher & Band Director), who introduced me to a world of music I never knew existed; Mr. Griffin (Mr. Brian Griffin, Science Faculty), who has greatly helped me develop an understand of and love for physics; and so many other teachers who have supported me and inspired in me a love for learning throughout my time at Central."

Raider Legacy

• Sister: Maria Mataac '21

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Amelia Phillips '26

Meet Amelia

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Windham, NH
• Middle School: Birches Academy (Salem, NH)

CCHS Activities

• Theatre Guild
• National Honor Society
• Student Ambassadors
• Student Alumni Association
• Student Walk Committee
• Love for Lazarus
• A/V Club
• Outside CCHS
  • "I play piano at home and take piano lessons."

Why is CCHS Special?

"I think that what makes Central Catholic so special is the community. Ever since I started going to school here, I have felt so welcomed and accepted by everyone I have ever met. The teachers are incredibly kind and genuinely want to see us succeed, and I have found so many incredible friends here as well."

Committed to Service

"I have loved getting to volunteer at Lazarus House, whether with Love for Lazarus, the Student Alumni Association, or on my own. Volunteering there has allowed me to meet so many incredible people while helping to give back to our community in Lawrence."

Faculty Role Models

"Every single teacher I've had at Central has helped me throughout my academic journey and made me who I am today. In particular, I would like to mention Mr. Hebert (Mr. Cameron Hebert '17, Math Faculty) and Mr. Boucher (Mr. Eric Boucher '04, Math Faculty), who have allowed me to learn to truly love math, as well as Mrs. Thompson [Mrs. Christine (Leonard '06) Thompson English Faculty) and Ms. LaBrie [Mrs. Jessica (Dick '09) Labrie '09, English Faculty], who helped me hone my research and writing skills through the AP Capstone program."

Raider Legacy

• Brothers: Colin Phillips '24 and Liam Phillips '26

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Ava Valcourt '26

Meet Ava

• Hometown: Georgetown
• Middle School: St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (Salem, NH)

CCHS Activities

• Cheerleading
• DECA
• Student Ambassadors, E-Board
• National Honor Society
• Skiing
• Cheer

Why is CCHS Special?

"The seemingly endless options at Central make it so special. There is so many different clubs, sports, and classes to be a part of, there truly is something for everyone here. This also allows students to go out and try new things, and it makes for a very diverse school."

"Everyone is unique, and we can come together and learn from each other. Throughout all these options there is so much support along the way from teachers, staff, and other students."

Committed to Service

"I volunteer at vacation bible school as a counselor and at my local parish, teaching elementary kids religion."

Faculty Role Model

"Mr. Wang (Mr. Ray Wang, Assistant Principal for Student Success) has had a major impact on my time here at Central. Every morning he says, 'Hi,' to me and makes me feel welcome and seen at this school. He is someone who supports me in all aspects at Central, academics and extracurriculars. He is someone who I came to trust at Central and he makes this place feel like a second home to me. During this college application process he has guided me and answered any questions I had. I am so grateful for his support everyday."

Raider Legacy

• Brother: Matthew Valcourt '28
• Father: Matthew Valcourt '95
• Grandfather: Leon Valcourt '70

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Congratulations to our Harvard Prize Book Award Recipients!