News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (May 24, 2024) – Six seniors were recently honored as Chelmsford High School named its Lions Pride/Rotary Student of the Month recipients for May, announced CHS Principal Stephen Murray.

Students receiving recognition were Varnika Mandava and Eshal Hussain from Emerson House, Kristen Shea and Nawal El Hakkaoui of Hawthorne House and Kiera Miller and Allyse Miller from Whittier House.

Varnika Mandava

Currently enrolled in AP Calculus, Reality Check, AP Research, Honors Physics, AP Psychology, AP English Literature and Composition, and AP Spanish Language and Culture, Ms. Mandava is described as an “excellent student.”

Her academic efforts have earned her membership in the National Honor Society (NHS), National English Honor Society (NEHS) and National Spanish Honor Society (SHH). Ms. Mandava also placed first at the UMass Lowell Chemistry Quiz Bowl.

A valued member of the CHS community, Ms. Mandava has been actively involved in multiple organizations such as the GIVE Club, the Mentor Program, the Irish Step Club and Class Representatives.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Mandava can be found volunteering her time at The Wish Project and the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.

Ms. Mandava will be attending the Massachusetts College of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, majoring in Pre-Medical Health Studies with a focus on the Osteopathic Pathway Program. She plans to complete her undergraduate degrees and then attend medical school to become a Surgeon.

She is the daughter of Usharani Guntu and Srinivasa Mandava.

Eshal Hussain

A student with “exceptional character and dependability,” Ms. Hussain is currently enrolled in Honors Anatomy and Physiology, AP Literature and Composition, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Physics and Calculus.

A member of NHS and SHH, Ms. Hussain is the recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Award and has been recognized as an AP Scholar. She has earned her Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and in Urdu, as well as a first-place finish at the UMass Lowell Chemistry Quiz Bowl.

Ms. Hussain has been actively involved in multiple service organizations, including the Red Cross Club, Interact Club and GIVE, and has volunteered a considerable amount of time to Lowell General Hospital. She also serves as the president of the CHS Muslim Student Association.

Ms. Hussain will be attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell, majoring in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. Her future plans are to complete her undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemistry and then attend medical school to become an Orthopedic Surgeon.

She is the daughter of Anne Shahab and Shahab Hussain.

Kristen Shea

Consistently demonstrating academic success, Ms. Shea is enrolled in AP Psychology, AP Biology, Modern World Literature, Quantitative Reasoning, Reality Check, Clay Studio, and Angels, Demons, Heaven, Hell, and Last Things.

Her dedication to learning has earned Ms. Shea membership to the NHS.

Ms. Shea has spent a lot of her time at CHS participating in the Theatre Guild program, serving as stage manager since sophomore year; she has also been the student producer, props manager, set designer and secretary. In addition, she is participating in spring track.

Ms. Shea participated in career explorations as an assistant lab technician and completed an independent research project.

She is currently completing her internship at Dolan Funeral Home in Chelmsford, where she is learning about the funeral service business.

In the fall, Ms. Shea will be attending FINE Mortuary College in Norwood to study the Applied Science of Funeral Service.

She is the daughter of Amy and Brian Shea.

Nawal El Hakkaoui

During her senior year, Ms. El Hakkaoui has taken a challenging course load that includes AP Psychology, AP Research, Modern World Literature, Reality Check, AP Spanish, Calculus and Physics.

Because of her hard work, Ms. El Hakkaoui has been inducted into the NHS and SHH; she has also served as a class representative and participated in the LIME Club, which allowed her to dedicate her time to raise money and awareness for various causes.

When not focused on her studies, Ms. El Hakkaoui can be found volunteering at Yoga On Central and the Sullivan Farms’ 4th of July Road Race.

Ms. El Hakkaoui has also been a member of the varsity cheerleading and track and field teams; she has received numerous cheerleading awards, including Most Improved Player, Merrimack Valley First Team All-Conference and Most Valuable Player.

In the fall, Ms. El Hakkaoui will be attending Northeastern University, pursuing a major in Health Science. She aspires to become either a pediatric dentist or a childhood nutritionist.

She is the daughter of Bouchra Elidrissi and Zakaria El Hakkaoui.

Kiera Miller

Ms. Miller is currently enrolled in AP Literature, Digital Filmmaking, Digital Photography, Sociology, Communications & Media, Quantitative Reasoning and Band-Woodwinds & Brass.

She is a member of NHS, SHH and the Tri-M Honor Society, for which she serves as president.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Miller is very active participating in Class Representatives, the Freshman Mentor program, Volleyball, Outdoor Track and Field, and LIME Club. She is also a member of the Marching Band (drum major), Pit Orchestra and the CHS Pep Band.

Described as “an amazing role model,” Ms. Miller is very active in the community, volunteering at her church, community clean-ups, NHS events and meal packing, as well as through music.

Ms. Miller will be attending the University of Utah to study Film & Media Arts, minoring in Creative Writing. She then hopes to follow a career path in the movie industry.

She is the daughter of JoElle and Randall Miller.

Allyse Miller

“A community leader and phenomenal CHS student,” Ms. Miller is currently enrolled in AP Literature, AP Music Theory, Psychology, Quantitative Reasoning, Band – Percussion, Band – Woodwinds & Brass and Clay Studio 1.

Her hard work in the classroom has earned her membership into NHS, SHH, NEHS and the Tri-M Honor Society.

Ms. Miller is a member of TV Club, Class Representatives, LIME, Yearbook Club, Volleyball, Outdoor Track & Field, CHS Mentor Program, and the All Town Wind Ensemble. She also participates in the CHS Marching Band, CHS Concert Band and the CHS Pep Band.

An active volunteer, Ms. Miller has spent many hours teaching youth about different instruments, as well as helping out at local drives and pantries during the holiday seasons.

After graduating from CHS, Ms. Miller will be attending Brigham Young University, majoring in Music with a minor in Communications with hopes to become a music composer.

She is the daughter of JoElle and Randall Miller.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.