Berlin High School Scholar Athletes

Two seniors from each member high school are selected annually to represent their school as the

Connecticut Association of Schools – Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS CIAC) Scholar-Athletes. Selection criteria include exemplary academic and athletic careers; personal standards and achievements that are a model to others; and high levels of integrity, self-discipline, and courage. Berlin High School is proud to announce that this year’s Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are Michael Deegan and Elizabeth Dunn. Both Michael and Libby are exemplary students and athletes who maintain a healthy, productive balance between academic and extracurricular activities so they can put their best efforts into all of their commitments. Michael and Libby were recognized as the Berlin High Scholar-Athletes at the annual banquet held at the Aqua Turf on Sunday, May 7.

Michael Deegan has dedicated years of hard work to become the player that he is today. As a member of the varsity golf team he has received the Redcoat Award and was named team captain; in addition, the team earned the CCC South Division championship in 2022. His dedication to hockey has led him to many wins and tournaments all over the United States and Canada. Michael is team captain of the varsity Newington Co-op hockey team, which includes Newington, Berlin, Cromwell, Crowell and Manchester. During his time with the team they won the CCC Tournament championship and the CIAC Division III state championship. Michael received the Newington Co-op Coaches Award for commitment and dedication and was named to the CCC All Conference. He was also a member of Central Connecticut Youth Hockey championship teams and participated in the USA Hockey National Championships in back to back years. According to one of his coaches, “Mike is an outstanding leader of our team and is respected highly by our players and coaches. He has been instrumental in mentoring our younger players.”

In the classroom, Michael is a focused student who has an understanding of how to balance academics, athletics, and family life. He has excelled in a rigorous academic program and truly loves to learn. Just like on the rink, Michael is a leader in the classroom. He leads by example through his patient and calm demeanor which makes others want to listen and follow him. Michael was inducted into the National Honor Society due to his excellent academic achievements, dedication to community service, and strong leadership skills. Even with the demands of being an excellent student and athlete, Michael finds time to hold two part-time jobs. He is a member of the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Foundation Club, the Upbeat peer leadership and community service program, and volunteers as an assistant coach with the Challengers Little League Adaptive Baseball Program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges

Michael will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall to pursue a business degree, where he plans to play club hockey.

Elizabeth (Libby) Dunn has the ability to communicate and connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. She is an enthusiastic, articulate, and intelligent young lady who is constantly pushing herself to be better. She is an excellent golfer whose passion and pure enjoyment shines throughineachmatch. LibbyisatwoyearcaptainoftheBerlinHighgolfteamwhereshewon back to back CIAC State Open championship titles. She has won the Division II State Championship as an individual as well as with the team. She has received the Girls Golf Coaches Award, been an All-CCC and Division II Coaches All-State selection, and was named the GameTimeCT Player of the Year as well as All-CCC Academic Laurels. Libby participates in the golfing community outside of Berlin High as well, as a member of First Tee of Connecticut where she volunteers her time as a coach for five and six year old aspiring golfers. She was selected for the 2021 First Tee Joe Louis Barrow Game Changers Academy and awarded with the Renee Powell Outstanding Female Leader Award. She was selected for the 2021 Ladies Professional Golf Association Leadership Academy. She is a PGA Junior League Assistant Coach at Timberlin Golf Course. Libby is also involved with Berlin High School’s unified program, receiving All-CCC Academic Laurels, the Unified Soccer Redcoat Award, is captain of the Unified Basketball team, and recently coordinated a successful unified golf clinic.

Academically Libby has excelled in a rigorous academic program where she prides herself on putting maximum effort into every class and assignment. She is always willing to lend a hand, even volunteering to come to school early to tutor a struggling student. Based on her academic success and dedication to service and leadership, Libby has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. She has dedicated countless hours of community service through the Upbeat peer leadership and community service program, served as a student ambassador for new student orientation, is involved with the BHS Unity Team, and is on the BHS Advisory Committee.

Libby will attend Texas Christian University in the fall to pursue degrees in both mathematics and psychology, where she plans to play club golf.