From left: Tree Dedicator James McAllister, Valedictorian William Clerx, and Salutatorian Kaila Dion

 William Michael Clerx – Valedictorian     William is the son of Marco and Frances Clerx of Seekonk.  Clerx is a National Merit Scholar Finalist and President of the National, Spanish and Science Honor Societies as well as member of the Math, History and Music Honor Societies.  He has consistently held first honors all during his high school career and has been a Top Overall Student since his sophomore year. Clerx has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Harvard College Prize Book Award, National Spanish Exam Junior Travel Award, the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the President’s Education Award, a gold medalist in the National Spanish Exam, Bishop Feehan Essay Contest winner, and the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Achievement award.  He was also a semifinalist in the USA Biology Olympiad.

            His giftedness in science earned him scores of local, State and Regional recognition for his science fair projects on environmental issues.  In his Freshmen year, his Best in Fair project won him 1^st place and the Earth Day award at the Regional Science Fair, and 3^rd place in the State Science fair.  As a sophomore, his science project earned him 2^nd place at Feehan, 1^st place in the Regional Science Fair and led to the Stockhom Junior Water Prize and Massachusetts State Delegation to the National Contest in Orlando, FL.       

            Music and theater are Clerx’s passions. An accomplished pianist, singer and actor, he has played piano weekly at St. Margaret’s Parish Masses and numerous school related events since his freshman year. He has also been a member of Feehan’s Chorus and Liturgical Choir throughout his high school career and has also had roles in seven Bishop Feehan Theater Company productions.

            Clerx can be seen on the athletic fields too as a three-season runner in Cross-Country, Winter & Spring Track.  He’s also been a member of the Varsity Golf Team and the Seekonk Junior Golf League, the Seekonk Baseball League, the Pawtucket RBI Baseball League, Pawtucket Fall Ball, and the St. Margaret CYO Basketballl Team.

Clerx has been very active in serving the school and the local community. He is the President/Junior Leader of the Rehoboth 4-H Club where he coordinated and participated in 4-H service projects and community activities. He has volunteered at Feehan’s Santa Shop for four years in various capacities such as coordinator, tour guide, translator, toy wrapper, and organizer.  He worked on the Lenten Food Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, and volunteers at the St. Joseph’s Food Pantry.  In addition, he has found time to serve at St. Margaret’s Parish as alter server, in the Children’s Choir and as Parish Sacristan.

            William will be attending Harvard University in the fall.

 Kaila Elizabeth Dion – Salutatorian     Kaila Elizabeth Dion is the daughter of Edward Jr. and Norma Dion of Plainville.

Dion is a member of the National, History, Science, Spanish, and Math Honor Societies. She achieved first honors consistently for three years and has served as the President of the Math Honor Society for the past two years.  Throughout her high school career, Dion has earned academic awards among which include the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and the Holy Cross Book Award.  She has been a student council member for all four years and has served as the Homecoming and Spirit Week Secretary her senior year.

Dion has been highly involved and extremely dedicated to several organizations and activities.  She has been a member of One FAN, a community council made up of students from Bishop Feehan, Attleboro High School and North Attleboro High School.  This group organizes community events that raise money to stop hunger in the local communities.  She’s also been a member of Peer Ministry, Feehan’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, Big Brother Big Sister, Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.),  and Maintain Our Vital Environment (M.O.V.E).  She has also lettered in Feehan’s Volleyball and Basketball teams. 

Dion balances her exceptional academic skills with a sense of character and community.  During her high School career she has participated in Feehan’s annual Santa Shop, the Breast Cancer Volleyball Match, and Christ’s Closet.  She managed to find time in her schedule to volunteer for many worthwhile charities.  Dion has helped organize the annual E. A. Dion Scholarship Golf Tournament in honor of her late grandfather and she currently lectors at Sacred Heart Parish in North Attleboro where she has volunteered at their St. Vincent de Paul chapter and as a volleyball coach.  She’s also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry  

Kaila will be attending the College of the Holy Cross in the fall.

From left: Principal Bill Runey, Valedictorian William Clerx, Salutatorian Kaila Dion, and Tree Dedicator James McAllister.

(Bishop Feehan High School’s graduating class plants and dedicates a tree in honor of their class.  Traditionally, it is the senior rated third in the class that does the dedication.)

James William McAllister – Tree Dedicator     Son of Steven and Eileen McAllister of Mansfield, McAllister is a National Merit Scholar Finalist and a member of the National, Spanish, Science, History and English Honor Societies.  He has consistently achieved First Honors throughout high school.  As a freshman, he received the Top Overall Student Medal in Math.  McAllister has also received the Fairfield University College Book Award, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and Honorable Mention on the National Spanish Exam.  He placed 2^nd in the Massachusetts Regional Science Fair where he received the Dr. Levine Award and the Naval Science Award.   He is a dedicated member of Mock Trial, Set Crew, and the Math Team.  This year McAllister lettered in track for his participation in three-seasons: cross-country, winter and spring track.

An avid volunteer, McAllister’s service to others is filled with brilliant accomplishments.  He has brought his skills to many worthwhile programs for the underprivileged, including the Santa Shop, Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets, and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.  He is also a member of Students Against Genocide (STAND) and serves as Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.  Additionally, McAllister enjoys sailing and playing guitar.

James will be attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall.