For the first time in its 35-year history, Independent Karate Schools, located in Nashua and Merrimack, has not one, but two of its graduating seniors being recognized as salutatorians of their high school classes.

Matthew Correia is salutatorian at Merrimack High School and Ted Boivin, of Nashua, is salutatorian at Bishop Guertin High School.

Correia’s family has a rich history of involvement with the IKS, and since starting his own journey at the school in 2004, he has grown into a patient, dedicated instructor.

Correia has been active for years with FIRST Robotics and the New Hampshire Science Olympiad. In addition to his academic achievements, including distinction with the Presidential Scholars program and National Merit Scholars, he has participated on the varsity ski team and in the Chinese student exchange program.

He will attend the University of Chicago to study mathematics.

Independent Karate Schools also awarded Boivin the Craig P. Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship. Boivin becomes the 28th recipient of this award, given to seniors from the IKS since 1993. His scholarship award of $10,000 will be paid to St. Anselm College, where he will study history and classics, with aspirations of attaining a Ph.D. in similar fields.

Boivin has been taking classes at the IKS since 2008 and has grown to be one of its most patient teachers. His dedicated involvement with community service projects stretches from the IKS to Bishop Guertin and beyond.