JAY — When seniors at Spruce Mountain High School march down the aisle for graduation ceremonies June 7, there will be two valedictorians and two salutatorians.

The Class of 2014 honored the top two students from the former Jay and Livermore Falls high school campuses. This is the first year all high school students have attended the Jay campus.

Next year’s graduating class will have one valedictorian and one salutatorian.

For the Jay campus, twins Erik and Emily Taylor received the highest ranking. For the Livermore Falls campus, Ian Jewett and Hannah Melotto were the top two.

Valedictorian Erik Taylor, 17, is three minutes older than his sister, salutatorian Emily Taylor. They are the children of Rob and Julie Taylor of Jay, who are both teachers in RSU 73.

Valedictorian Ian Jewett, 17, of Fayette, is the son of RSU 73 teachers Eric and Barbara Jewett. Salutatorian Hannah Melotto, 18, of Livermore Falls, is the daughter of Brenda Latham, a nurse, and Robert Melotto, a paramedic.

Hannah Melotto hopes to enter the medical field, as well. She plans to attend the University of Maine in the fall to study biology with a goal of becoming a pediatric doctor.

Eric Jewett said he loves history. He plans to attend the University of Maine to earn a degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies.

Erik Taylor will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study biomedical engineering, with a goal of entering the medical field to work on prosthetic design and development.

Emily Taylor plans to attend Colby College to study psychology and child development with a goal of opening her own practice.

Emily said she is her own toughest critic.

“If I have a goal for myself, I don’t like to fail,” she said.

Ian Jewett said he is grateful for the teachers at his school, whom he said have presented many resources that have allowed him to find his passion.

Hannah Melotto said she takes pride in doing well and believes every student should challenge themselves.

“By challenging yourself, you may find out that you like something, which can expand your horizons,” she said.

Erik Taylor, who is active in robotics and other science-related subjects and groups, said he has always wanted to do well. Sometimes, competition with his sister pushes him further, he said. He believes in finding balance between academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and free time.

“It’s good to push yourself, but you need to find time to relax, too,” he said.

All four have been participated in a variety of activities, and all are members of the National Honor Society and Student Council.

Ian Jewett said he wasn’t particularly happy with the merger of the former Jay School Department and SAD 36 at first, but now he believes students will benefit from attending a larger school.

“I am honored to be recognized as the valedictorian,” he said.

Erik Taylor said he is also proud to be in the top two.

It’s “very cool” to be a part of having top two students from each of the former campuses recognized.

Emily Taylor said she has considered herself a Phoenix, the Spruce Mountain mascot, since her sophomore year.

“I wouldn’t change the consolidation. I have made so many friends because of it,” she said.

Hannah Melotto said she feels a great sense of accomplishment for being salutatorian.

“I feel it is a reward for my hard work,” she said.

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