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A confetti bomb set off by some students punctuated the end of the graduation ceremony..

Watkins Glen High School
says goodbye to Class of 2015

88 students receive diplomas at Commencement

WATKINS GLEN, June 28 -- Eighty-eight members of the Watkins Glen High School Class of 2015 received diplomas Saturday afternoon at a commencement exercise in the school auditorium.

The class size was up from last year's total of 72 students -- and just short of the previous year's 91.

More than 30 awards and scholarships were presented to graduates. Those awards appear below.

The Valedictory Address was delivered by Colin DeMeritt, who told his classmates: "We are authors of our future and deciders of our fates" -- a class "destined for greatness" and possessing "class spirit and overall unity like no other I have ever seen."

High School Principal Kai D'Alleva said he knew the past year -- one of transition as the school absorbed the last of the old Middle School classes -- "was not easy for you" but was "handled with class and dignity. Your tremendous leadership in and out of the classroom did not go unnoticed. Today is a great day. Enjoy it."

Salutatorian Lydia Myers said the ceremony marked "the end of one journey and the beginning of the next," and that it was both "exciting to take this next step in my life," but at the same time "bittersweet" because "it's hard to say goodbye" to her classmates and others with whom she has shared her school years. The graduating class, she said, is "like birds" leaving the nest, "learning to fly."

In her Senior Oration, Elizabeth Reed told her classmates to "never let your past define you," but to never forget those "who helped us grow."

The High School Band performed The Processional ("Pomp and Circumstance"), The Alma Mater song and The Recessional ("Coronation March"). Lydia Myers sang the National Anthem.

Diplomas were presented by outgoing School Board President Michael Myers. The Class of 2015 graduates are as follows:

From left: Graduates Amanda Cherock, Jonas Recker and Gabriella LaRosa.

Photos in text:

Top: Colin DeMeritt delivers the Valedictory address.
Bottom: Salutatorian Lydia Myers sings the National Anthem.

******

The High School Band performed.

Awards presented at ceremony

The awards presented at Saturday's graduation ceremony included the following.

The Tommy K. Martin Law Enforcement Scholarship
$500.00 given to a Senior who is pursuing a career in Law Enforcement
Taylor Yaw

Beth MacNamara Art Award
$100.00 given to a Senior who will pursue a career in Art
Brittany Tuttle

Amber Brockway Award
$500.00 given to a Senior who is compassionate, loving, kind and charitable. The recipient must be going to a two or four year college. This year's recipient is:
Megan Dupuy

Michael Watson Memorial Wrestling Scholarship
$500.00 awarded upon successful completion of the first semester of college to a senior who has at least three years of wrestling experience; one of those years must be in grade 12.
Jon Brown

Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association Scholarship
Presented at the Alumni Banquet, The Watkins Glen High School Alumni Assoc. will award scholarships in the total amount on $5,000.00, to be divided among these graduating seniors:
Jon Brown, Lucy Craig, Noah Wigmore

Italian American Festival Frank Chiacchiarini Humanitarian Award
$
1,000.00 presented to a senior who honors community service and who is active in athletics
Lucy Craig

Watkins-Montour Lions Club-John Cook-"Bud" Warner Achievement Scholarship
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a Senior after successful completion of the 1st semester of college for service, leadership and academic endeavors
Halle Phillips

Peter A. Pevo Memorial Education Award
$300.00 and a plaque given to a Senior pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education
Ethan Clark

PTO Academic Improvement Award
$500.00 given to a Senior who has shown significant academic improvement in his or her high school career.
Courtney Perrone

PTO Art Award
$250.00 given to a Senior for excellence in Art
Kaylee Reilly

PTO Community Service Scholarship
$500.00 awarded to a Senior who demonstrates a commitment to community service
Justine Hulbert

Ray Bailey Memorial Award
$100.00 and a plaque given to a Senior who will share his/her appreciation of music by continued participation in a community music group; this student may also be minoring in Music in college
Lydia Myers

Southern Tier School Counselor Award
$400 given to two seniors who have earned an average of at least 85% and who demonstrate exemplary leadership, service, and stewardship to school and community.
Ethan Clark, Alexandra Joslyn

Watkins Glen Faculty Association Scholarship
$1,000 given to one senior after completion of the first semester of college based on citizenship, dependability, academic achievement and entering the education field.
Alexandra Joslyn

Watkins Glen Police Benevolent Association
$250 to be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of college, based on service, character and academic achievement and pursuit of the study of Criminal Justice.
Sonja Pruitt

Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Award
$1,000.00 to be awarded at the completion of one semester of college to 2 seniors who are pursuing a career in the Health Care field
Colin DeMeritt

CVSA Award
$250.00 awarded to two graduating seniors who have played for the CVSA Soccer League.
Keziah Fraboni, Noah Wigmore

Live Like Liz Scholarship (Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education Fund)
$1,500.00 awarded to a Senior who possesses the same qualities as Elizabeth: good academic record, continual evidence of good citizenship, commitment to further education, demonstrates belief in the good of all people, and most importantly, has a great sense of humor
Halle Phillips

Erik Houseknecht Memorial Award
$100.00 awarded to a student who has improved the most throughout his four years of high school, reaching higher academic achievement and greater personal goals by believing in himself and helping other students
Dean Laughlin Jr.

Lenore Fenaughty Business Award
$100.00 given to a student who demonstrates exceptional achievement in Business Studies and intends to pursue a professional career in the business world
Kalea Jones

Northrup Foundation Award
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a Senior for outstanding scholastic achievement awarded after the 1st semester of college.
LynnAnn Caslin

Melissa B. Wilson Sportsmanship Award
$950.00 and a plaque given to a girl in the senior class with an academic average over 80% who participates in athletics and school activities with enthusiasm and good sportsmanship
Amanda Cherock

Freeman Family Foundation Teaching Award
(In memory of Larry and Ruth Freeman)
$2,500.00 awarded to two graduating Seniors who are going on to a college curriculum in teaching
Alexandra Joslyn and Ethan Clark

Watkins Glen Lions Club - John Cook - Milford "Bud" Warner Improved Student Scholarship
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a senior after successful completion of the first semester of college, for academic improvement of the four years.
Sonja Pruitt

Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Achievement Scholarship
$1,000.00 given to Senior after the 1st semester of college based on academic ability, activities, improvement and goals
Colin DeMeritt

Zonta/Belle Cornell Club Award
$250.00 given to a senior girl entering the field of medical and health-related studies at a college
Alexis Gonzalez

Zonta Club Business Award
$250.00 given to a senior girl entering the field of business and enterprise studies at a college.
Madison Gates

Devon Shaw "Defense For Devon" Memorial Award
$700.00 given to a senior who has displayed a desire to live a purposeful, fulfilling life that demonstrates the life lessons Devon bestowed upon us. This senior exemplifies good character and citizenship, keeping a sense of humor along the way, also displaying the importance of family, friends, and community in his daily living, being involved in groups that may include but are not limited to:sports, music, church, scouts, etc.
Luke Flahive

Schuyler County Retired Teachers' Association
$500.00 given to a Senior who will be pursuing a career in Education.
Alexandria Gardner

NYS Correction Officers and Police Benevolence Association
$600.00 given to a graduating senior who is a dependent of a member of the NYS Correction Officers and Police Benevolence Association.
Keziah Fraboni

Lake Country Players Performing Arts Award
$100.00 given to a graduating senior who has been involved in the performing arts.
Lydia Myers

Masonic Senior Tradesman Award
$300.00 given to a Senior Male pursuing the trades. This award is being given to honor the work and contribution of masons to mankind.
Dean Laughlin Jr.

NYS Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence
$1,500.00 per year given to a senior, awarding his or her academic excellence.
Colin DeMeritt

NYS Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence
$500.00 per year given to a senior, awarding his or her academic excellence.
Lydia Myers

NYS Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence
$500.00 per year given to a senior, awarding his or her academic excellence.
Elizabeth Reed

Frank Anthony DeSarno IV Memorial Scholarhip
$1,000 given to a Senior who has a passion for the automotive trade. This scholarship is given in memory of Frank Anthony DeSarno, a Watkins Glen High School graduate.
Timothy Carnes

Dart League Award ($200)
$200 given to a senior who has high academic achievement in Math.
Elizabeth Reed

Ladies Wednesday Afternoon Club Award
$100.00 given to a senior who plans to attend college, and shows commitment and enthusiasm for meeting the challenges of doing well.
Tamijah Lawton-Stone

George Douglas/LPGA Corning Classic Scholarship
$4,600 goes to a diligent student who demonstrates maturity and responsibility and is a concerned citizen of the high school. It is given in memory of the co-founder and former general chairman of the LPGA Corning Classic Golf Tournament.
Colin DeMeritt

Maurice Costa Scholarhip Fund
$7,250.00 is being awarded to a senior who has worked hard with determination and desire to pursue a higher education.
Joshua Burge

Photos in text:

From the top: Luke Flahive receives the Devon Shaw "Defense for Devon" Memorial Award from Principal Kai D'Alleva; Madison Gates, winner of a Zonta Club Business Award; Alexis Gonzalez receives a Zonta Club Health Award from D'Alleva; and Lucy Craig, winner of an Italian American Festival award and a Watkins Glen Alumni Association scholarship, receives her diploma from School Board President Mike Myers.

Graduates Kevin Kernan and Victoria Wixson.

Colin Gates and Keziah Fraboni receive diplomas from School Board President Mike Myers.

Abigail Rundle and School Board President Mike Myers
share a laugh as she receives her diploma.

Matt Estes and Halle Phillips receive their diplomas -- Phillips from her father,
Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Left: Graduate Keith Rekczis enters the auditorium during the Processional.
Right: Taylor Yaw receives her diploma from School Board President Mike Myers.

 


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