The SRTC Student of the Year nomination is a highly selective recognition that honors outstanding students in career and technical education programs. This year, we are especially proud to have three Marshwood High School students named among just 14 finalists selected from a competitive pool of hundreds—an achievement that reflects their hard work, dedication, and leadership.
Rowan Berounsky-Porter is a dedicated, patient, and thoughtful student who approaches every challenge with quiet determination and a desire to grow. He made a strong impression in Firefighting I & II last year, earning the respect of both his instructors and department leadership for his commitment, technical skill, and calm, focused presence in hands-on, high-pressure training environments. This year, he chose to continue his path in service to others by enrolling in the EMT program, further developing his skills and readiness to respond in critical situations. By the end of this year, he will have earned multiple industry-recognized certifications, including Firefighter I & II, EMT certification, and additional emergency response credentials—an accomplishment that reflects both his dedication and the strength of the program. He plans to continue his training at Southern Maine Community College and hopes to join a full-time fire academy, continuing to make a meaningful impact in his community.
Esme Gori brings energy, purpose, and natural leadership to everything she does. In the Academy of Business program, she inspires her peers by leading group projects, offering thoughtful insights in class discussions, and helping classmates stay confident and focused under pressure. Her work ethic, initiative, and reliability make her not only a top academic performer, but also a respected role model within the program. Through the Academy of Business, she has earned 18 college credits in Accounting, Marketing, Computer Applications, and Entrepreneurship, and her dedication was recently recognized when she earned a Bronze medal at the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship competition. Whether guiding her peers or pursuing her own goals, she consistently demonstrates the talent, motivation, and leadership that will carry her far in business and beyond.
Connor Grogg is a talented and thoughtful problem solver who brings both curiosity and leadership to his work. Entering the Engineering Technologies program with a natural aptitude for mechanics, he has grown into a well-rounded engineer with a strong ability to think critically, design creatively, and collaborate effectively. He consistently steps into leadership roles during team projects, thoughtfully delegating tasks and supporting his peers—whether helping explain complex concepts or working side-by-side to bring ideas to life. This year, he played a key role in designing and building his team’s competition robot from the ground up, an ambitious project that required precision, adaptability, and teamwork. He has also distinguished himself in competitive settings, including the University of Maine’s Windstorm Challenge, where he helped lead his team through design setbacks by developing practical, innovative solutions and rapidly prototyping ideas using CAD and 3D printing. His work reflects not only strong technical ability, but also resilience, creativity, and a genuine passion for engineering.
We are very proud of our three nominees. Congratulations to each of them on this well-deserved recognition—we’re excited to see all the great things they will accomplish as they graduate and take the next steps in their education.