The Harvard Prize Book program is a way of recognizing high school students for their personal and academic achievements. Each year, nearly 2,000 Prize Books are given to students around the world.

Recently, Josh Skalski, a senior at Gloucester High School, received this academic achievement award. While excelling in his classes, Skalski takes part in many extracurricular activities as well. These include NHS, Drama Club, Art Club, and GSA.

“I didn’t really learn about it until my sophomore year, but after that I thought that if I work hard maybe I’ll get it,” Skalski explained. Although it hadn’t always been a goal for him, he knew this was something he could work towards.

After graduation, Skalski hopes to make a career of clinical therapy, primarily working with teens. His top college choice is currently Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

“It’s an honor,” said Skalski, “I don’t want to call it a surprise but it was a nice, unexpected thing.”