Mt. Abram senior Lizzie Chenard has much to be proud of, having recently received the Maine Principals’Award. (Submitted senior photo) SALEM — Lizzie Chenard, a senior at Mt. Abram High School, received the 2010 Maine Principals’ Award, MTA principal Brenda Stevens recently announced.

The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.

Chenard is the daughter of Bill and Gisele Chenard of Salem.

Chenard is a high honor student currently ranked fifth in her class. She currently maintains a 96.24 grade point average. She’s also a gifted athlete, a four-year member of the Nordic Team and participated in three years of track.

Chenard has taken advantage of MTA’s music program with four years of band. She is a Girls Book Club member and a participant in Knowledge Masters Open. After rigorous auditioning, she made the cut year after year to perform in the Kennebec Valley Music Festival playing the baritone saxophone. Many high school musicians try out for the honor to play at this festival. She’s also a long-time Kingfield POPS volunteer.

Chenard recently traveled with her principal to the MPA Honors Luncheon held at the Spectacular Events Center. The event featured guest speaker Jeanne Crocker, principal of South Portland High School and former Maine “Principal of the Year.”

Chenard was honored at the event along with fellow recipients from every high school in the State of Maine.

“Lizzie is an outstanding young woman. She has taken advantage of every opportunity from music to athletics here at Mt. Abram while excelling at her academics,” Stevens said. “She is very deserving of this honor and we are proud to claim her as a soon to be alum of Mt. Abram High School.”

The Honors Luncheon recognizes these outstanding students with an individual plaque. In addition, seven $1,000 scholarships are presented in the names of Horace O. McGowan and Richard W. Tyler. McGowan and Tyler were former Maine principals and executive directors of the Maine Principal’s Association.

Chenard said she was surprised when she first heard about the prestigious award. “I was just thinking about all of the kids in my class who are also deserving. I was surprised, and yes, very happy it came down to me,” Chenard said.

The senior award recipient plans on attending Lyndon State College in Vermont and will major in graphic design.

“My years at Mt. Abram have been very fun. I’ve had some really great teachers that have helped me greatly over the years and given me direction,” Chenard explained.