BURRILLVILLE – Emily Allard and Madeline LaSata are the two highest-achieving students in the Burrillville High School Class of 2023, and will sharing the title of valedictorian at the school’s upcoming commencement ceremonies.
LaSata, daughter of Michael and Michelle LaSata, entered BHS as a freshman. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been identified as a “Student of the Month” eleven times during her high school career. LaSata was recognized for Excellence in Honors Geometry in 2020; Excellence in Honors English 10 and Excellence in Introduction to Business in 2021; and Excellence in Art Foundations, Excellence in AP Language & Composition and Excellence in AP Chemistry in 2022.
She was the recipient of the Jefferson Book Award, the Smith College Book Award, the Sage Colleges Student Sage Award and the Clarkson University Leadership Award in 2022. LaSata was one of just a few students selected to take part in an accelerated mathematics program, in which she elected Honors Algebra II and Honors Pre-Calculus concurrently in her sophomore year, successfully completed AP Calculus AB during her junior year and AP Calculus BC during her senior year.
Last summer, LaSata expanded her academic challenges to include the Bentley University Wall Street 101 Program, finishing second in the class.
She also has a proven track record of leadership in the community, through extracurricular involvement and on the athletic fields. She has been involved in Math League, piano, indoor track, basketball and cross country, and has served as captain of the lacrosse and volleyball teams during her high school career. She received recognition in earning the Girls Lacrosse First Team All Division III Award in 2021, the Girls Lacrosse Woonsocket Call All Area Selection in 2021, the General Treasurers Young Leader RI Award in 2022 and the Female Student Athlete Award in 2022.
She has also spent countless hours dedicated to the DECA program as president of the Burrillville Chapter. She has attended annual leadership conferences and qualified for multiple International Career Development Conferences. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, LaSata was part of a team which placed first in the statewide DECA competition for Sports & Entertainment Marketing – Team Decision Making. She has been treasurer of the Class of 2023 for four years, and served as treasure of the National Honor Society, where she effectively collaborated with peers and made significant contributions to planning fundraisers and events.
She has also shared her understanding of healthy habits with local schools through hands-on presentations and activities with Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse. She also spends time volunteering at the Warwick Vet Center, promoting outreach programs and community events for veterans throughout Rhode Island.
Faculty and staff at the school define LaSata as one of the most dedicated and well-rounded valedictorians they have ever met, according to an announcement of the honor.
LaSata will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall as an official member of the Wharton School of Business. She will double major in accounting and finance, with a minor in mathematics and AP Calculus BC during her senior year.
Allard, daughter of David and Joanna Allard, is known to work hard and take on
challenges diligently. She has earned many awards for her continued success in school, including the Excellence in Biology Award in 2019, and the Excellence in AP US History and Excellence in Principles of Biomedical Science Awards in 2022. In 2022 she received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Science and Math Award, the St. Bonaventure University Award, the Clarkson University Achievement Award, the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award and the AP Scholar Award.
Allard has successfully completed Burrillville High School’s Biomedical Science CTE Pathway, which mandates some of our school’s most rigorous coursework. She has earned credit for nine AP level courses in a wide variety of subject areas, in addition to being a top student in numerous honors-level courses. During her sophomore year, she was part of a select group identified to double up and take both Honors Algebra II and Honors Precalculus, allowing her to reach not only Calculus AB but also complete Calculus BC. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Allard is also a dedicated member of the varsity cross country, ice hockey and lacrosse teams, and was identified as team captain for both cross country and ice hockey this year. She received the Coaches Award in cross country, along with the Sportsmanship Award for her efforts in both ice hockey and cross country. She is a leader in the Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse group, which promotes healthy habits in the community.
After serving on the Student Council for three years, including two as the social media & corresponding secretary, Allard is the current Student Council president. Allard has also held a camp counselor position at the MacColl YMCA and also been a Youth Health Ambassador through the Rhode Island Department of Health, where she made significant contributions to youth mental health research. Last summer, Allard fulfilled an internship through PrepareRI, allowing her to work with women with a variety of behavioral issues. She holds CPR and AED certification, as she constantly ensures she has the tools necessary to help others.
Teachers consistently describe Allard as a hard working, resilient and personable student with a tremendous amount of potential, according to a release.
Allard will be attending Middlebury College in the fall, majoring in biology with a pre-med concentration, supporting her plan of obtaining a career in the medical field.
