Stoughton High Seniors Fennessy and Jackman Named Hockomock League Scholar Athletes

Recognized for their athletic excellence, leadership on and off the field, and top performance in the classroom, Stoughton High seniors Niamh Fennessy and Pat Jackman were honored at the 24th Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner.

A male and female from each of the 12 Hockomock schools received this award at a reception held at Lake Pearl Luciano's in Wrentham on May 9.

Stoughton High Athletic Director Ryan Donahue chose Fennessy and Jackman for this honor, making the selection based on grade point average and overall involvement in the athletics program.

Both Fennessy and Jackman are multi-sport athletes who also shine in the classroom and are involved in a number of extra-curricular activities.

"Niamh Fennessy and Pat Jackman have been exemplary students since day one at Stoughton High School," Donahue said.

"Not only are they great leaders and have shown that by the approval of their peers by being voted captain, but they also lead by example in the classroom, and that was a big piece of the puzzle was how well they do academically combined with balancing their busy schedules with athletics and of course the other extra-curriculars both of them do."

Fennessy played soccer in the fall, ran indoor track in the winter and ran outdoor track in the spring all four years of high school. She served as a captain of all three teams her senior year.

"To win this award is such an honor for me. I've been working so hard, especially over the past four years, not just in school and sports, but in everything I do so it was really nice to get this award," she said. "I'm really proud of it because it shows how all my hard work has paid off and it is a combination of the two most important things in my life-school and sports. "

Jackman is a four-year varsity baseball player, serving as captain his junior and senior seasons. After playing basketball in the winter his freshman year, he ran indoor track his final three years at SHS, and was captain of that team his senior year. He also played on the soccer team his senior year.

"It's such an accomplishment to be chosen for this award," he said. "It is great to see my work in the classroom be acknowledged and have it complement my performance on the field. I was in a room with great people and it was an honor."

Both Fennessy and Jackman have been named Hockomock League All-Stars and have received team sportsmanship awards over the course of their respective careers.

Fennessy is the president of the SHS senior class, a student council representative and a member of the National Honor Society. She is the captain of the SHS Science Olympiad team. She also volunteers with Stoughton Youth Soccer and STOYAC basketball, and with TOPSoccer, a program that teaches kids with special needs how to play soccer.

Fennessy will be attending college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

"Always work hard," she advises underclassmen. "Eventually all the hard work will pay off."

"I think it's easy for people to see how hard work pays off in school. But it's so important in sports too," she continued. "I've learned that you get back what you put in and there's so much more about playing on a team besides winning and losing - you make great friendships and learn valuable lessons about determination, effort, and perseverance. Through my sports, I have learned so much about myself that I would not have learned otherwise."

Jackman is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the SHS Recycling Club and DECA. He is a counselor at the Stoughton Recreation Department's Open Playground Camp.

He will be attending UMass Amherst.

"Keep a good balance between your workload and athletics," he advises underclassmen. "There are gonna be nights you're going to get home very late and want to go right to bed but you need to buckle down and keep up with your assignments."

"Treat every moment on the court, field, or track as it is your last," he added, "because these are when memories are made."

As head of the Hockomock League this year, Donahue served as emcee at the banquet. Dr. Keith Motley, a Stoughton resident and Chancellor of UMass Boston, delivered the keynote address.

SHS Principal Julie Miller was also in attendance. Both student-athletes were joined by their parents, Seamus and Pauline Fennessy, and Gregg and Lori Jackman.