Wiscasset Middle High School is pleased to announce five seniors in the class of 2024 who have earned the distinction of being a Top Scholar. To be recognized as a Top Scholar, a senior must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Christopher Seiders, valedictorian: Son of Josh and Abby Seiders of Wiscasset. Chris was elected vice president of his class junior year and treasurer his senior year. Christopher was student body president senior year, as well as student council member three years. He was a member of the Prom Committee, yearbook committee and a student member on the school board. He was the DAR Good Citizen recipient his senior year.

Chris attended Dirigo State and received the Wesleyan Book Award for his rigorous academic achievements in AP honors classes and for being a visible member of the school and community.

Chris was on the tennis team his junior year and track and field his senior year. He was a member of the chess team junior year and became captain his senior year.

In the fall, Christopher will be attending Carleton College for a dual major in physics and philosophy.

Emily Gilliam, salutatorian: Daughter of Colleen and Jeff Gilliam of Wiscasset. Emily was a member of the swim team, track and field, and cross country all four years of high school. She became captain of track junior and senior year, and captain of the swim team her senior year.

Emily played in band (flute) for three years, Jazz band freshman year, as well as district honors band her sophomore year.

Emily was a member of National Honors Society for three years moving into the president's role her senior year. She was a member of the Student Council all four years, president of her class three years and secretary one year.

In Emily's junior year, she attended Dirigo State. She won the junior book awards for Society of Women Engineers (SWE) for Excelling in math and sciences during their high school career and the Smith College Book Award for her academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others.

Emily will be attending the University of New England in the fall majoring in exercise science.

Alton King IV: Son of Alton King III and Jean Rivera of Alna. In Alton’s four years at Wiscasset Middle High School, he participated in track and field his junior/senior year, becoming team captain his senior year. He also did cross country his senior year.

Alton attended Bath Tech for Carpentry and was nominated “Student of the Semester” his junior year for being a great addition to the program, his strong work ethic, and always being eager to learn.  

Alton will be attending college in the fall at CMCC majoring in plumbing/HVAC.

Ruth Burchstead: Daughter of Amy and Jeff Burchstead of Wiscasset. Ruth came to Wiscasset Middle High School her senior year. Ruth volunteered at the St. Philips “Help Yourself Shelf” her junior and senior years. She attended Crossfit classes weekly as well as interned with a midwife her senior year. Ruth is an avid knitter and sewer and works at her family farm.

At her previous school, Ruth was on the cross country team her junior year, and Nordic skiing freshman and sophomore year. She also played in the orchestra (violin) her freshman and sophomore years.

Ruth will be attending Bates College in the fall.

Grace Greene: Daughter of Susan Greene of Wiscasset. During Grace’s time at Wiscasset, they participated in soccer and track and field their junior and senior year, becoming captain of the soccer team senior year. During those two years of soccer, they received the most improved award and coaches award.

Grace served on student council junior and senior year, was secretary of their class freshman year and vice president their senior year. They served on the civil rights team, drama club, prom committee and were a part of National Honors Society. They started a climate action club freshman and sophomore year and served as a social media intern for other youth climate teams.

Grace attended Dirigo state junior year, they were also nominated for the St. Michael’s College Book Award for their academic achievements. They received awards for student of the quarter freshman year, and the MPA award their senior year.

Grace will be attending the University of New England in the fall majoring in environmental science.