Meet Tolland High School's 2023 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

TOLLAND, CT — Meet the Tolland High School Class of 2023 valedictorian and salutatorian.

Eric Eckblom and Jacqueline Sterling were named the top two students in the graduating class in February and school officials Thursday formally introduced them to the community:

Eric Eckblom - Valedictorian

Tolland High School is proud to announce the valedictorian for the class of 2023, Eric Eckblom.

Eric consistently performs at a high level in a very rigorous curriculum. He will graduate having completed nine honors and six Advanced Placement courses along with UConn Biology I andII. He is a member of the National Honors Society, has earned High Honor Roll each semester, received Academic Excellence awards for Honors English, Biology, AP English 3 and Jazz Band in addition to receiving the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science award in 2022. He is also a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and recently received recognition for the USPresidential Scholar programEric is also an active member of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford, a member of ourTechnology Student Association and is an intern with our IT Department. Outside of school, he enjoys being a counselor in the summer at a camp in New Hampshire directing group activities, lifeguarding and teaching sailing. He is also involved with Boy Scouts of America where he most recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.Eric is a member of the tennis team and has also earned the Scholar Athlete award from theConnecticut Association of Schools.

Eric is truly an outstanding student who is motivated by a love of learning and a natural curiosity. He plans to continue his education at the Webb Institute of Technology and pursue a career in naval architecture and/or marine engineering.

Jacqueline Sterling - Salutatorian

Tolland High School is proud to announce the salutatorian for the class of 2023, Jacqueline
Sterling. Jacqueline began high school on a fast track taking the highest level courses available as a freshmen earning all As. She continued to challenge herself by taking UCONN Biology, Honors Chemistry and AP English III. This year she is enrolled in four AP courses and UConn Environmental Science. Over the years she has received Academic Excellence awards for Introduction to Business, World History, Marketing, Spanish 3 and Criminology.
Jacqueline is an active member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. She is also the President of DECA where she has been recognized nationally earning first place awards at regional DECA competitions. Additionally, she is a Link Crew Leader, yearbook committee member, Kindness Campaign member and the senior Class President. She also volunteers to help students prepare for final exams and likes to write for the school newspaper.

Jackie was the captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer Team and has earned numerous awards
including the Connecticut Association of Schools Scholar Athlete for THS. Jackie is polite,
respectful, mature, friendly and a responsible student who plans to continue her education at The Ohio State University and would like to become a lawyer.