Luke Robillard (Provided photo)

TUPPER LAKE — Luke Robillard, a member of the Tupper Lake Class of 2025, has been nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education Program.

Robillard is just one of five high school students throughout New York to be nominated for consideration at the national level. The list was announced by the state Education Department on Dec. 19. The department reviewed a larger list of students and made nominations based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities.

The program is by invitation only, according to its website. Robillard was initially put forward to the state Education Department for consideration by Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, who said he put in a strong recommendation for Robillard and said he was proud to see him named.

“They’re looking for students that excel and students that have those leadership qualities that make them good students,” he said.

Jones said Robillard will be sent application materials to apply at the national level, where he will have the chance to be one of up to 161 students nationwide chosen for the program this spring.

“It’s quite an honor to be picked as one of five (of New York’s career and technical education nominees),” Jones said. “We picked Luke because he was obviously an excellent student, great at extracurricular activities … and we’re happy that the New York state Education Department saw what we saw.”

Robillard was informed of the selection just before the holiday break.

“When I received the news, I was super excited,” he said. “Very blessed, for sure, and grateful. Grateful to have an amazing teacher (Christian Wissler) who really knows a lot about the program that I’m in. I’m just really thankful for that.”

Robillard said he spends mornings at Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES’ Adirondack Education Center in Saranac Lake, where he is enrolled in Whissler’s Natural Resource Science program. He takes classes at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School in the afternoons. As part of the BOCES program, Robillard said he learned about dendrology — the scientific study of woody plants such as trees, shrubs and vines — surveying and heavy machinery operation.

He said the program also teaches business skills, with students required to complete a bidding project in the classroom as part of the curriculum. He said the class also teaches physical skills, and that he was looking forward to an upcoming unit on climbing techniques.

“The epitome of what

it means to be a

Lumberjack”

Robillard’s teachers and coaches said he meets the definition of an exceptional student, and said he was more than deserving of the nomination.

“He is a role model that will be missed, but has been great for our younger school community to look up to,” said Hannah Klossner, his physical education teacher and coach. “We all want someone like Luke as a part of our class or team.”

Robillard was a running back for Tupper Lake’s varsity football team this past season. His coach, Dennis Klossner, praised his work ethic.

“He is always respectful and a role model to our younger athletes,” he said. “His commitment to bettering himself as an athlete and a young adult is key to his success. It’s been an honor to be his coach.”

Robillard’s English teacher, Matt Ryan, said his status as a role model is just as present in the classroom as it is on the field.

“Luke consistently demonstrates what it means to have dignity,” Ryan said. “His behavior reflects the unbending moral principles that govern his daily life. This is visible in not only the quality of work he produces, but also in the way he socializes with students and staff alike. It helps foster a more positive learning experience and creates a more unified school community.”

Dan Brown, who has coached Robillard in baseball since he was in seventh grade, said Robillard is wise beyond his years.

“Luke is not only an outstanding young man, he’s an outstanding person compared to anyone, despite their age or experience,” he said. “He is a leader by example. Overall, he is a quiet kid, but when he speaks, people listen — both kids and adults.”

Brown added that Robillard’s athletic prowess shapes his character.

“His athleticism is not just a gift, it’s a trait that is ingrained to his soul,” he said. “He is passionate about athletics and that’s what makes him who he is: dedicated, disciplined, smart, caring and driven. He is the type of kid who you are glad you have had the chance to meet, work with and know.”

Tupper Lake Middle-High School Principal Chris Savage said that Robillard carries himself in a way that makes the community proud.

“Luke is an upstanding citizen of the school,” he said. “He is always friendly, respectful and always willing to lend a helping hand. He is a dedicated student and an outstanding athlete. I have been in Tupper Lake my entire life and Luke is the epitome of what it means to a Lumberjack.”

Robillard credited his parents — Mark and Darcy — with helping to shape him into the person he is.

“They’ve never been the type to push me down the road or try to live their dream through me,” he said. “They just kind of let me chase my own dream and they’ve been there for me the whole way.”

Robillard also thanked his FEH BOCES Natural Resource Science Teacher Christian Wissler for illuminating the classroom experience and bringing out the best in him and his fellow students.

“He’s really wicked smart,” Robillard said. “He can really relate to us, and help us push toward our dreams and goals, so I’m really thankful for him.”

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About the program

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The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was first established in 1964 by then-President Lyndon Johnson to recognize and honor exceptionally talented graduating high school students. The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education today. Selection at the national level is made by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. The commission consists of “eminent private citizens” from around the nation who are chosen by the president, according to the program’s website.

The program was expanded in 1979 to include a scholar’s category specifically for visual, creative and performance arts, and again in 2015 to include a scholar’s category for career and technical education — what Robillard was nominated for.

The five career and technical education nominees join 20 additional high school students from New York nominated from the other two categories. Jones said he was glad to see recognition of career and technical education, noting that many local jobs lend themselves well to the skills taught at FEH BOCES.

“I think it’s pretty neat to recognize that career technical education side of that as well,” he said. “Obviously we’re trying to promote that in this area and I think students can look up to Luke and look up to the FEH education system.”

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Future plans

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Robillard said he wants to become a State Trooper eventually.

“That’s my lifelong dream,” he said.

Robillard said he first plans on attending college, although has not yet officially decided where he will study. He said one of the requirements before becoming a State Trooper is completing 60 college credit hours. Robillard said he plans to pursue a business degree, adding that he appreciated the flexibility it offers as a backup plan to joining the State Police.

Last year, the final list of U.S. Presidential Scholars was announced in May.