Mansfield Sisters Named Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorian at Feehan

Lindsey Anne Claus of Mansfield has been named Valedictorian at the Bishop Feehan High School.

“Lindsey has been a model student here at Bishop Feehan High School,” said Pauline Chauvin, Claus’ guidance counselor.   “She excels academically and clearly has a passion for learning.”

One of the top French horn players in the state of Massachusetts, she is an integral part of Feehan’s Concert Band.   A gifted musician, Claus has participated in the New England Conservatory of Music’s Preparatory School as well as the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble for the past four years.  Additionally, she has been a yearly participant in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeastern District Festival. 

 She was also chosen, by audition, to participate in the All State Band and Orchestra.  Furthermore, Claus is an accomplished pianist and Irish step dancer.  A member of the Debate Team throughout high school, she has earned numerous awards for her oratory skills.  She has also been an active member of Student Council; Math Team and on the Peer Ministry Board. 

 A National Merit Semifinalist, Lindsey is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the English, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish National Honor Societies.  

Claus’ scholastic achievements also include earning the Top Overall Student Award in Mathematics; Science and Performing Arts for the past two years. 

Claus has earned the Gold Medal on the National Spanish Exam for the past three years, the President’s Education Award and the Harvard Book Award last year, and placed second in the National Spanish Honor Society Video Contest as a junior.

Claus is also a valuable member of her church as well as her community.  Throughout high school, she has been a liturgical minister here at Bishop Feehan and an altar server at her parish, St. Mary’s in Mansfield.  For the past three summers she volunteered her time at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.  

During the school year, she is a valuable member of Feehan’s Amigos Mentoring Program and also helps students with educational enrichment activities at the North Attleboro YMCA. Currently Claus is working on completing her requirements to earn the Gold Award in Girl Scouting.

Though Claus excels in all areas, she especially enjoys mathematics and science.  An analytical thinker, she has a scientific mind and relishes identifying as well as solving problems.

Claus will be attending Harvard College in the fall and her intended major is Applied Mathematics.

Co-Salutatorian

Lauren Elizabeth Claus is the daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Mark Claus of Mansfield.

      “Creative, imaginative and well-spoken, Lauren is an outstanding student.  Often mistaken for her sister, her outgoing personality has allowed her to experience being an identical twin in a positive manner,” remarked Pauline Chauvin, the Claus sisters’ guidance counselor.

A National Merit Commended Scholar, Claus’ accomplishments are numerous.   She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the English, History, Mathematics, Science, and the Spanish National Honor Societies.  She has consistently achieved highest honors throughout high school.  As a freshman, she received the Top Overall Student Medal in Spanish and the National Spanish Exam Silver Medal.  As a sophomore, she received the Top Overall Student Medal in Spanish and English as well as the National Spanish Exam Gold Medal.   She was also chosen to participate in both the Regional and State Science Fairs.  As a junior, she received the Brown University Book Award; the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and the Top Overall Student Medal in English and Spanish.  An accomplished writer, she received an Honorable Mention as a junior and the Silver Key Award this year in the Boston Globe Scholastic Writing Contest. She is also a contributing writer for The Sun Chronicle.

            In addition to her outstanding academic record, Claus also finds time to involve herself in a variety of extracurricular activities.  She is a leader of the Varsity Debate Team and has garnered many first places.  Also, she is on the Peer Ministry Leadership team and is President of the Pro-Life team and the Anchor Club.  For the past two years Claus has also worked as an “Amigos” volunteer during the school year and as a Sturdy Hospital volunteer during the summer.  Lauren also earned her Girl Scout’s Gold Award by developing an after school tutoring program with the YMCA where she recruited other Feehan students to tutor the population.   She also initiated a self-guided program for Girl Scouts, to tour the JFK Library online.  Throughout high school Lauren has been an altar server at her parish, St. Mary’s in Mansfield and a liturgical minister here at Bishop Feehan.

Claus is looking forward to expanding her love of creative writing, languages and music this fall.  Claus will be attending Harvard College.