School Board President Brian O'Donnell presents a diploma to graduating senior
Devon Shaw.

Watkins Glen High School
bids farewell to Class of 2013

WATKINS GLEN, June 23 -- The Watkins Glen High School Class of 2013 completed its march to diplomas Saturday afternoon at a commencement exercise in the school auditorium.

A total of 86 graduating seniors were on hand. Three others were absent, and two had graduated in January. The total size of the graduating class was 91.

A total of 50 awards were presented to 34 different students. They ranged from small to large, and totaled more than $41,000.

The Valedictory Address was delivered by Chelsea Kennard, who told her classmates that "what we have in common is our memories ... It is time for courage to face tomorrow ... We need to explore, dream and discover."

The Salutatory Address was presented by Elise Groll, who said: "I hope we can represent Watkins Glen well wherever we go. Make the world your own and always follow your dreams."

The Senior Oration was delivered by Sarah Hazlitt, who said "we are a family. We are all so different, but have learned from each other. We have made each other stronger, and taught each other lessons."

Principal Dave Warren congratuated the class, and focused attention on graduate Devon Shaw, who has been fighting cancer for more than three-and-a-half years. Devon was on hand for graduation, helped down the aisle and up on to the stage by friend and classmate Bryson Clarkson. When it came time to pick up his diploma, though, Devon needed no help, following the same path across the stage that all of his classmates did.

"I thank him," said Warren, "for the lessons he has taught and shown us. Devon, you rock."

The presentation of diplomas by School Board President Brian O'Donnell saw 86 students walk across the stage. The Class of 2013 graduates are as follows:

Abigail Cocca
Gavin Gates
Elise Groll
Sarah Hazlitt
Ashlee Hill
Chelsea Kennard
Sarah LaMascus
Alexis Pike
Katrina Swarthout
Sarah Swarthout
Brenton Whiting
Sarah Wickham
Morgan Atwood
Allison Barrett
Kyle Beebe
Alya Belknap
Travis Bond
William Brennan
Mara Brisbois
Mariah Brisbois
Titus Buisch
Danielle Carter
Bryson Clarkson
Mackenzie Congdon
Thomas Cook
Daniel Cornelius
Kaitlin Crane
Alice Crispell
Brandi Crissinger
Steven Cruttenden
Brianna Davis
Haley DeNardo
Jarrid Dobson
Matthew Doyle
Ridge Edwards
Braedan Fitch
Cory Glover
Kody Gregory
Alva Greist
Kyle Hancharik
Celena Hardy
Lacey Horton
Timothy Johnson
Melody Johnston
Brittany Kelly
Joshua Langley
Makenzie Laughlin
Jamison LaValley
Zachary Little
Jessica Littler
Brandon Lucia
John Manzo
Adam Meierjurgen
Naythone Miller
Jason Morris
Larry Morris
Brady Myers
Michael Olmstead
Nathaniel Padgett
Branden Palmer
Rebecca Perrone
Samantha Phillips
Kodi Pylkas
Judith Raymond
Gavin Reed
Michael Rhodes
Thomas Richtmyer
Ryan Rondinaro
April Ruda
Jennifer Ruger
Alyssa Schmitt
Amanda Scotchmer
Devon Shaw
Jonathan Slater
Kristi Smith
Amelia Stamp
Mikaela Suddaby
Brandon Swartz
Hunter Targosh
Jesse Teeter
Joshua Teeter
Corey Teribury
Jesse Turner
Brandi VanNorman
Breanna Ventra
Courtney Waite
Alexsis Walter
Johnathan Wasson
Kayli Westervelt
Alijia-Jean White
Corrna Wilcox
Homer Wixson
Jessi Woodward

Photos in text:

From top: Sarah Hazlitt, who presented the Senior Oration; the Waite family celebrates with graduate Courtney; Abby Cocca receives an award; Alice Crispell receives her diploma from School Board member Kevin Field; Sarah LaMascus receives her diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell; Braedan Fitch is handed his diploma.

Graduates (from left) Samantha Phillips, Mackenzie Congdon, Mikaela Suddaby and Katrina Swarthout pose for photos after the ceremony.

Awards presented at ceremony

The awards presented were as follows, with the monetary amount on the left and the recipient on the right:

Left: Elise Groll delivers the Salutatory address.Right: Chelsea Kennard presents the Valedictory address.

Left: Watkins Mayor Mark Swinnerton visits with Devon Shaw on the lawn fronting the high school following the ceremony. Many well-wishers came by where Devon was seated to congratulate him on receiving his diploma. Right: Josh (left) and Jesse Teeter after receiving their diplomas.

Sarah Wickham, center, is flanked by Chelsea Kennard on the right and Sarah LaMascus.

Family members take pictures of graduates exiting the auditorium after the diplomas were presented.

A panoramic view of the auditorium as the ceremony neared its end.