From left: O-M's Brittany VanAmburg, Trumansburg's Cal Randle, Watkins Glen's Chelsea Kennard and O-M's Dakota Simpson.

Top Drawer 24

The Brian J. O'Donnell Schuyler County Scholar-Athlete-Citizen Team

By Charlie Haeffner

ODESSA, May 27, 2013 -- It is time once again for an annual rite -- the unveiling of the Top Drawer 24 team. This is the eighth such team, and this year it is dominated again by seniors.

The Top Drawer honorees -- 13 females and 11 males -- are area high school students selected by a committee based on a combination of academic, athletic and social achievements.

The 24 attend the Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Trumansburg, Spencer-Van Etten and Bradford high schools -- each of which has student population within Schuyler County. Most of the honorees come from Watkins Glen since it has the largest number of students within the county.

As is traditional, anyone in grades 9 through 12 was eligible for consideration. However, no freshmen made the team this year, nor in the past six years. One sophomore was on the squad last year, and one is again this year. There are 19 seniors and four juniors this time.

Committee members, in considering potential honorees, took into account academic accomplishments, achievements on the playing fields, and the ability of the students to engage the world through civic endeavors or to leave behind them positive consequences from their positive actions.

Input was also provided by teachers, coaches and administrators.

The team's subtitle is The Brian J. O’Donnell Schuyler County Scholar-Athlete-Citizen Team, named in honor of the former Watkins Glen High School principal and outgoing Watkins Glen School Board president (pictured at right).

Mr. O'Donnell has embraced the idea of this team from the start. Accordingly, he will introduce each member at the ceremony -- to be held Thursday, June 6 at the Watkins Glen State Park pavilion (near the south entrance). A social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. The weather won't alter the locale, since the site provides shelter.

Finger foods such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, cupcakes, sandwich wraps, bottled water and lemonade will be provided in a setting prepared by local school and park officials.

A traditional highlight will be a walk taken by the honorees with O'Donnell, who will impart wisdom to them in private.

When we unveiled the first such team seven years ago, we did so in a low-keyed fashion, announcing its members publicly only after a party honoring them was held. In the past few years, we have announced the selections well ahead of the party, and are doing so again this year in order to encourage attendance by friends, relatives and coaches of the honorees, as well as attendance by administrators, School Board members, area dignitaries and the general public.

The honorees are encouraged to bring as many people with them to the celebration as they wish; there is no limit, and there is no charge.

From left: Speakers Mark Gorscak, Andy Malnoske, Hilary Swartwood
and Glenda Gephart Phoenix.

Speakers for the program include Pittsburgh Steelers scout Mark Gorscak, WENY-TV sportscaster Andy Malnoske, former two-time Top Drawer honoree Hilary Swartwood, and Glenda Gephart Phoenix, Administrator and Communications Director at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen.

Awards for the Odessa File Athletes of the Year at the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools will be presented before the Top Drawer ceremony begins.

And as in recent years, the annual Susan Award will be presented as part of the evening's ceremony. The award -- presented each year to a Schuyler County student who exhibits sportsmanship not only on the playing field, but in the game of life -- is named after Odessa File editor-publisher Charlie Haeffner's late wife, Susan Bauman Haeffner. Past winners have included Sally Wilcox, Courtney Warren, Sophie Peters, Ian Remmers, John Blaha, Devon Shaw, Sam Richardson, Ashley Tieppo, April Ruda and Nicole Colunio.

This year's honoree will be Felicia Johnson (pictured at right), an Odessa-Montour senior well known for her kind and caring attitude toward teachers, administrators and fellow students alike. She was a member of the school's varsity volleyball team, and her popularity carried her to the honor of Homecoming Queen this past fall. She will be introduced at the ceremony by her school's principal, Chris Wood.

A group photo of the 24 Top Drawer honorees will be taken before the evening's speeches begin, and published on this website. Each member of the Top Drawer team will -- during the ceremony -- receive a medallion with a lanyard color-coded to his or her number of years on the team, and certificates of achievement are expected from the offices of Congressman Tom Reed, State Senator Tom O'Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano.

The selectees on the Top Drawer 24 team -- which includes two sets of twins -- are as follows, by school and grade:

WGHS

12th Grade

Chelsea Kennard -- swimming, bowling, track -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Sarah Wickham -- swimming, bowling, golf -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Josh Teeter -- soccer, basketball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Jesse Teeter -- soccer, basketball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Ryan Rondinaro -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Mikaela Suddaby -- soccer, bowling -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Katrina Swarthout -- soccer, bowling -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Devon Shaw -- soccer -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Sarah Hazlitt -- volleyball, track-- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

11th Grade

Matt Gill -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Samantha Gill -- swimming, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

O-M

12th Grade:

Brittany VanAmburg -- soccer, basketball, track -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Sydney Eberhardt -- soccer, basketball, softball -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Lee Sidle -- football, swimming, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Morgan Shutter -- soccer, basketball, baseball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Morgan Stermer -- volleyball, basketball, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Dakota Simpson -- football, basketball, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Danielle MacDougall -- volleyball, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

10th Grade:

Dana Roberts -- soccer, cheerleading, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Trumansburg

12th Grade

Cal Randle -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

11th Grade

Mitchell Swartwood -- soccer, basketball, baseball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Tyler Sutherland -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Bradford

12th Grade

Hillary Bonning -- soccer, basketball, softball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Spencer-Van Etten

12th Grade

Taylor Rider -- soccer, basketball, softball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

------------

Thumbnail sketches of the honorees.

Danielle MacDougall is an Odessa-Montour senior with a 95.85 average who excels in volleyball and track and is the Senior Class president. She is a member of Rotary Interact and the National Honor Society, is the school's Zonta Club director, and is on the Peer Leadership Committee and the Student Advisory Cabinet. She is the Yearbook Editor, a Summer Rec counselor, works at the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and donates time to the SPCA and Seneca Santa. She was also a Rotary Club Student of the Month this year. She plans to attend Corning Community College to study Human Services, with an eye toward becoming a Social Worker dealing with cases of substance abuse. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Taylor Rider is a Spencer-Van Etten senior who was captain this year of her school's varsity basketball and softball teams, and was a member of the varsity soccer team. She carries a 98.53 academic average and is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, Athletes as Role Models, and Friends of Music, and plays the clarinet in Band and the saxophone in Jazz Band. She also performs in the school's Chamber Choir and Jazz Choir, and last year had the lead in the school production of "Music Man." She plans to attend Mercyhurst University and study Forensic Anthropology with a minor in Criminal Justice with an eye toward joining the FBI. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

*****

From left: O-M's Dana Roberts, Watkins Glen's Devon Shaw, Bradford's Hillary Bonning and Watkins Glen's Matt Gill

Tyler Sutherland is a Trumansburg High School junior who participates in Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track. In Cross Country, he was a State Meet competitor the past two years, and a Section IV and IAC All-Star. In track, he holds several indoor and outdoor school distance records. He is Vice President of the junior class, and a member of the Femtastic gender-equality club, Ski Club, the Outdoor Education Club, the Trumansburg Lacrosse Club, the St. James Youth Group, a Live Like Liz team, a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation team, and a Tour De Cure Diabetes Association team. He also donates time to the Pumpkin Festival and the Cayuga Lake Creamery. He is a High Honor student, and, for good measure, plays the piano. He is undecided on which college to attend, but wants to pursue a Ph.D. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Sarah Hazlitt is a Watkins Glen High School senior who carries a 96.9 academic average. She was an IAC volleyball All-Star and a standout on the varsity track team, earning Odessa File All-Schuyler status in both sports. She also served as an assistant coach for Modified Volleyball. She is a member of the Rotary-affiliated Interact service club, Model United Nations, Music Club, National Honor Society, Varsity Club, the World Language Club, Yearbook, and the Hector Youth Group. She plans to attend Northeastern University and American College of Thessaloniki in Greece, and major in International Relations. She is, in the words of one teacher, "a mature, natural leader, and wholly deserving of this honor." This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Sarah Wickham is a Watkins Glen High School senior who carries a 94.5 academic average while participating in three sports: swimming (where she won the Kate LaMoreaux Award), bowling and golf, and was a captain on all three squads. She was a member of the Section IV, Class C championship bowling team, for which she earned Odessa File All-Schuyler honors, and was All-Schuyler in golf, as well. She is President of the National Honor Society and of the World Language Club, the Senior Class vice president, and a member of Interact, Music Club, Student Council, and Sources of Strength. She had a role in the school musical, "Grease," is a member of the Hector Youth Connection, and was a Rotary Club Student of the Month this year. She plans to attend Niagara University with a career goal in Hotel and Restaurant Management. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Mikaela Suddaby is a Watkins Glen High School senior who was an IAC First Team All-Star in soccer, a member of the Section IV, Class C championship bowling team, and a captain of both squads. She was also an Odessa File All-Schuyler honoree for both her soccer and bowling performances. She is an Honor student, and a member of the Music Club, Business Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Yearbook, and is a budding photographer. She has volunteered her efforts on behalf of Seneca Santa, and was a Rotary Club Student of the Month this year. She plans to attend Ithaca College, but is undecided on a major. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Katrina Swarthout is a Watkins Glen High School senior who was an IAC First Team All-Star in soccer, a member of the Section IV, Class C championship bowling team, and a captain of both squads. She was also an Odessa File All-Schuyler honoree for both her soccer and bowling performances. She is a High Honor student with a 97 average, and is Class Treasurer, National Honor Society treasurer, Varsity Club vice president, and a member of Interact and Yearbook. She has volunteered her efforts on behalf of Seneca Santa, and was a Rotary Club Student of the Month this year. She plans to attend the University of Buffalo and "find something I love that I can make a career out of." This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

*******

From left: Watkins Glen's Katrina Swarthout and Mikaela Suddaby, Trumansburg's Tyler Sutherland, and O-M's Lee Sidle.

Hillary Bonning is a Bradford High School senior who was captain this year of her school's varsity basketball and softball teams, and a member of the varsity soccer squad. She is a two-time recipient of the John Reed Athlete of the Year Award at her school, and a previous winner of the Ed Sutryk Memorial Sportsmanship Award and the Stueben County All-Star Softball Co-MVP Award. She is a High Honor student who is a member of the National Honor Society, Theater, Band and Chorus, and is a Vacation Bible School teacher and a member of her church's Youth Group. She plans to attend Corning Community College, and then transfer, with an eye toward becoming a social worker. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Jesse Teeter is a Watkins Glen High School senior who proved outstanding this year in soccer and basketball, leading the latter to the Section IV, Class C final. He scored 20 goals during the soccer season, and averaged more than 20 points a game in the final half of the basketball season, earning The Odessa File Schuyler Winter MVP award and a berth on the New York All-State 4th Team, as well as Star-Gazette and Corning Leader All-Star recognition. He was an IAC First Team All-Star in both sports, and an Odessa File All-Schuyler honoree in both. He is a member of Interact, Varsity Club and Yearbook, and has donated his time to Saturday Morning Basketball and Seneca Santa. An honor student, he plans to attend Corning Community College and play basketball there. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Josh Teeter is a Watkins Glen High School senior who is a High Honor student with a 94 average. He was an IAC First Team All-Star in both soccer and basketball, and an Odessa File All-Schuyler pick in both sports. And he was a captain of both the soccer and basketball squads -- helping lead the latter to the Section IV, Class C final, a feat that earned him Star-Gazette and Corning Leader All-Star recognition. He is a member of Rotary Interact, Varsity Club, and Yearbook, attended Boys' State, and has donated his time to Saturday Morning Basketball and Seneca Santa. He plans to attend Corning Community College and play basketball there, and hopes for a career as a State Trooper. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Samantha Gill is a Watkins Glen High School junior who is a High Honor student with a 95.2 average. She was an MVP and an IAC All-Star in swimming, and was captain of the varsity track team. She is a member of the Rotary-affiliated Interact service club, the History Club, Sources of Strength, National Honor Society, the World Language Club, Music Club, Save Our Schools, and the Model UN, where she serves as Secretary General. She was also part of the stage crew for the school musical "Grease," and is on the Youth Group at St. Mary's of the Lake church. She is undecided on which college to attend, but says she "is interested in becoming a Physician's Assistant at the moment. If not, something in the medical field." This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

******

From left: O-M's Morgan Stermer, Watkins Glen's Sarah Hazlitt and Sarah Wickham, and
O-M's Sydney Eberhardt.

Morgan Shutter, an Odessa-Montour senior, is an outstanding athlete who garnered an Odessa File Athlete of the Year honor in his junior year and is likely to repeat this year. He was also co-winner of the Odessa File Schuyler Fall MVP award this year after a soccer season that saw him set O-M season and career goal-scoring records. In fact, he earned IAC All-Star status and Odessa File All-Schuyler status in all three of his sports: soccer, basketball and baseball. Morgan is also a Peer Tutor, a member of the Rotary Interact Club, and a student aide in the school Athletic Department, and was a Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Student of the Month this year. He plans to attend Tompkins-Cortland Community College for a year, then seek a Division 1 or Division 2 soccer scholarship at an East Coast school. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Dakota Simpson is an Odessa-Montour High School senior who is a three-sport standout -- in football, basketball and track. He has qualified two straight years for the New York State Track & Field tournament in the Discus -- and is in fact competing in this year's tourney on Friday and Saturday, June 7 & 8. A multiple winner of Odessa File Athlete of the Week awards this year and last, he was named to the website's All-Schuyler First Team this spring for his track exploits. Described by one teacher as a "gentle giant," he earns kudos from teammates and coaches alike for his kindness. Experienced at farm work and sheet rock work, he has excelled in BOCES welding classes and plans to attend the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio to further develop his skills with an eye toward becoming, in his words, "a welder in the pipeline, or in the welding field." This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Morgan Stermer is an Odessa-Montour High School senior who is a High Honor student with a 94.32 average. She is a three-sport standout, serving as captain of the volleyball and basketball teams and competing in track and field. She had a share of the lead role in this year's school production of "Once Upon A Mattress," is president of the school Chorus and Band, and is a frequent competitor in NYSSMA vocal competitions. She is the Student Council treasurer, a member of Art Club and Zonta Club, and attended the New York State Youth Leadership Conference. Outside of school, she serves as a Sunday School teacher, and is a babysitter. She plans to attend Cortland State to study Speech Pathology. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Dana Roberts is an Odessa-Montour High School sophomore -- the only sophomore on this year's Top Drawer team. A standout athlete in soccer and track, as well as in cheerleading, she is an Honor Student with a 90.71 average who participates in Band and Chorus, and had a share of the lead role in the school's spring production of "Once Upon A Mattress." She is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and is the Sophomore Class secretary and Cheerleading secretary. Outside of school, she donates time to the Relay For Life, the Schuyler Food Pantry and the Montour Baptist Church. She plans to attend Columbia University with an eye toward possibly becoming a doctor. This is her first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

*******

From left: O-M's Danielle MacDougall, Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter and Josh Teeter, and Trumansburg's Mitchell Swartwood.

Brittany VanAmburg is an Odessa-Montour High School senior who excels at track and was a key member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams, and a captain of all three squads. She is a High Honor student with a 90.98 average, a New York State Scholar-Athlete, and a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club and the Senior Leadership Cabinet. She is also a Peer Leader, a Student Aide in the school Health Office, a Summer Rec counselor and a youth basketball coach, and attended the New Visions Health Career Program. She plans to attend Keystone College to study Physical Therapy. This is her second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Mitchell Swartwood is a Trumansburg High School junior who is the third member of his family to be honored with inclusion on the Top Drawer 24. He was captain of his school's varsity soccer and basketball teams and a member of the baseball team, and has been active in Jazz Band, Concert Band, Jazz Choir, Chorus, Student Council, the Femtastic gender-equality group, and the Hector Presbyterian Church Youth Group. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a student representative on the School Improvement Team, a Trumansburg Central School District Foundation representative, and part of the Pittsburgh Project that does repair work and painting at the homes of the elderly. He was also part of a mission trip to Guatemala. He is undecided on which college to attend, although he is looking at the U.S. Naval Academy. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Cal Randle is a Trumansburg High School senior who is an Honor Roll student and an outstanding athlete -- captain of his school's cross country team and, in that sport, an IAC and Section Four 1st Team All-Star, State Meet qualifier and winner of a Section 4 Sportsmanship Award. He is also a track standout, holding the school's 1500 Meter Indoor record, and earning IAC and Section IV First Team All-Star status and qualifying for States in outdoor competition. He is a member of the Femtastic gender-equality group, the Outdoor Education Club, the Trumansburg Lacrosse Club, and Habitat for Humanity. He took part in a Guatemala service trip with the Trumansburg Presbyterian Church, donates time to the Pumpkin Festival and the Cayuga Lake Creamery, and is a self-taught guitar player. He plans to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, with a long-term goal "to help people." This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Sydney Eberhardt is an Odessa-Montour High School senior who was captain of the varsity soccer and softball teams and played on the varsity basketball team. She is a High Honor student with a 93.02 average who draws high praise from coaches and teachers for her kindness and thoughtfulness. She is president of the school's National Honor Society, and is the Senior Class vice president and a member of the Student Council, Zonta, and the Senior Advisory Cabinet. She had a key role in the school musical "Once Upon a Mattress," and is a member of Band and Chorus. She does volunteer work for Relay for Life and the Red Cross, and serves as a Summer Rec counselor. She plans to attend Corning Community College to pursue a degree in Nursing or Criminal Justice. This is her second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Matthew Gill is a Watkins Glen High School junior who is an All-Star competitor in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track. In Cross Country, he qualified for the State tournament and was a New York State Class C First Team All-Star. He was co-winner of The Odessa File Schuyler Fall MVP award for his outstanding Cross Country season, and was an Odessa File All Schuyler pick in both indoor and outdoor track, setting several school running records. He has been class president for three years, is a High Honor student with a 94 average, and is a member of Interact, Varsity Club, the National Honor Society, Student Council, the World Language Club, Music Club, Sources of Strength, History Club, Save Our School, and the Audio-Visual Club, and was Sound Manager on the school theatrical production of "Grease." He is also on the Youth Ministry at St. Mary's of the Lake Church. He plans to go to college and run, and hopes to pursue a degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. This is his second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

*******

From left: O-M's Morgan Shutter, Watkins Glen's Samantha Gill and Ryan Rondinaro, and Spencer-Van Etten's Taylor Rider.

Chelsea Kennard is a Watkins Glen High School senior who was a captain this year of the school's varsity swimming and bowling teams, and a member of the varsity track squad. She is a High Honor student with a 97 average, vice president of the National Honor Society, president of the Student Council, president of Interact, vice president of the World Language Club, and a member of Music Club, Save Our Schools, and Model UN. She also performed in the school musical, "Grease," and is a member of her church Youth Group. She plans to attend the University of Buffalo after returning from an exchange program in Finland, and will pursue a medical degree and a career as a Pediatric Oncologist. This is her second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Ryan Rondinaro is a Watkins Glen High School senior who competes in Cross Country and both Indoor and Outdoor Track, excelling in the Shot Put and Discus events. He was captain of both the Indoor and Outdoor track teams. He is an Honor student, attended Boys' State and is a member of Student Council, Interact, Music Club, Save Our School, History Club, Sources of Strength, Varsity Club and the Model United Nations, where he serves as Secretary General. He plans to attend Corning Community College for one year, then transfer to a four-year school. After that, he plans to pursue a Masters degree and possibly a Ph.D in Psychology with a minor in criminology with the goal of becoming a criminal psychologist for the FBI or State Police. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Lee Sidle is an Odessa-Montour High School senior who competes in football, swimming and track, and was a captain on all three squads. He is a High Honor student and was recipient of the prestigious Joel Stephens Award presented annually to an outstanding student-athlete in the region. He was also a member of The Odessa File All-Schuyler team in football and track. He is on the school Yearbook staff, is a Summer Rec lifeguard and Summer Rec counselor, and has been a Boy Scout for nine years, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He plans to attend Corning Community College, and take over his father's insurance business after college. This is his first year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

That brings us to Devon Shaw, a Watkins Glen High School senior whose place in this group was earned not on the playing fields -- although he served as an assistant on the varsity soccer team -- but in the hearts and minds and souls of those whose lives he has touched with his remarkable courage and unflinching optimism in the face of an illness that has steadily eroded his ability to engage the world on the terms he would prefer. Devon has been fighting a recurring cancer -- a sarcoma -- for more than three years, and has earned the admiration of the community for the strength he has shown in remaining involved in the activities of his school. Said one member of the Top Drawer 24 committee -- a teacher in Watkins Glen -- Devon is "emblematic of all we stand for -- heart, passion, kindness." He plans to attend Corning Community College and "then transfer somewhere else." He says he would "like to graduate college with my athletic training degree, and find a well-paying job where I will be happy, with a nice house and a small family. But most important, I will find a cure for myself to get cancer-free!"

*****

That's all of them -- two-dozen remarkable people who, at the heart of it, share one thing in common: by excelling in unique and impressive ways, they have convinced the Top Drawer selection committee that they belong on this team.

They have successfully tackled many athletic, academic, citizenship and social opportunities in high school, and in so doing have prepared themselves well for life's many challenges.