Southern Aroostook High School senior Ashlyn B. York will graduate with honors in June as a member of the Class of 2026. Ashlyn has soared through her high school career with a blend of leadership, academic grit, artistic talent, and a deeply rooted passion for community service. Ashlyn’s dedication to her academics is reflected in her consistent Honor Roll status and an incredibly impressive milestone: graduating high school with 24 completed college credits. Her leadership skills were recognized early on when she was selected to attend the Maine Youth Leadership Seminar in 2023.
Ashlyn has been a dedicated member of the National Honor Society since 2023, Ashlyn served as Vice President last year before stepping into the role of NHS President for the 2025–2026 school year. She is also an active member of the Student Council and has served on the SACS Scholarship Committee since her freshman year. Her exceptional mind for problem-solving also earned her a prestigious Award of Merit from the Society of Women in Engineering.
Ashlyn has also been involved on the sports fields and the theater stage. She played varsity softball and lacrosse, and has played for four years on the Varsity Soccer team, serving as Team Captain for the 2025 season. In the arts, Ashlyn performed with the SACS Drama Club throughout her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Her talent took her to the Penobscot Theater Company in the summer of 2023. The following summer, she achieved a major theatrical milestone when she was selected to work for renowned playwright John Cariani in his production, "Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars."
Since 2016, Ashlyn has volunteered alongside her family doing puppy transports and fostering for Shepherds Beyond Borders. Her love for animals continues today through her bi-weekly volunteer work at the Houlton Humane Society. Between the SACS Clothing Drive, Community Service Day, Special Olympics, and the local Food Pantry, Ashlyn has accumulated countless hours of service.
Ashlyn also balances her academics with a part-time job. After working for attorney Patrick E. Hunt from 2024–2025, she currently balances two jobs: working at Fiddleheads Floral and Gifts in Patten and McDonald's in Houlton.
Ashlyn’s future is officially taking flight. She is currently taking lessons to earn her private pilot certification, and this fall, she will be attending the University of Maine at Augusta in their elite Aviation Program with the ultimate goal of becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot. Ashlyn is the daughter of Rick and Tera York.