Watkins Glen graduates (from left) Kathleen Clifford, Allison Gibson, Isabella Fazzary, Kai Sutterby, Grace Wickham and Annika Wickham.

Watkins Glen High School
bids farewell to Class of 2019

The class size of 85 was down four from last year's 89.

The Valedictory Address was delivered by Joe Chedzoy, who discussed how life's challenges should be met head-on -- how, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, we should continually challenge ourselves to improve and attain our goals. "A goal without a plan is just a wish," he said, adding that to attain those goals, we need to "see light in dark places" and "see opportunity in every difficulty."

The Salutatory Address was delivered by Kathleen Clifford, who said senior year was the time when "all the memories, good and bad, come to a close." She said the class "stood together and accomplished the same goal." Now, in the words of Dr. Seuss, "your mountain is waiting. So ... get on your way."

Kai Sutterby presented the Senior Oration, relating some of the history of her class and saying that success at this point is measured "in the amount of your growth -- how far you have already come." The Class of 2019 "grew up together," she added. "We're just another family. We actually get along ... support each other when it matters most. Our strength is in how we connect." The common denominator? "This school."

Diplomas were presented by School Board President Gloria Brubaker after Superintendent Greg Kelahan officially declared that the graduates had met the criteria required.

A list of the Class of 20198 graduates follows the cutlines:

Photos in text:

Top: Jillian Kilcoyne receives her diploma from School Board President Gloria Brubaker.
Bottom: Taylor Kelly strikes a pose while getting ready for the graduation ceremony.

The Class of 2019

Shannon Alger
Daniel Andrews
Joseph Arcangeli
Parker Arcangeli
Jacob Asbury
Phoenix Ault
Collin Baker
Cierra Barber
Tyler Barber
Jordyn Barrett
Maggie Barrett
Wrett Brower
Wyatt Brower
Adrianna Caddell
Jillian Cantieni
Braden Castellaneta
Joseph Chedzoy-Valedictorian
Kathleen Clifford - Salutatorian
William Cook
Sierra Cornish
Clint Craven
Abigail Donelson
Collin Ector
Sean Ervay
Nathan Farnsworth
Isabella Fazzary
Nelson Fish
Ramel Fulcher
Heather Gascon
Allison Gibson
Rachael Greist
Levi Grinolds
Jonathon Hatch
Matthew Herold
Destiny Holmes
Vincent Hoose
Nancy Jackson
Shawn Joslyn
Sean Kelly
Tapanga Kelly
Taylor Kelly
Jillian Kilcoyne
Victoria Krnotch
Katrinna LaTorre
Danielle Leszyk
Han Xiao Liu
Justin Lodge
Jonathan Lokken
Kathryn Losey
Bryan Lotz
Phoebe Majors
Dylan Markley
Alixander Mathews
Hannah Morse
Sierra Nielsen
Claudia Parker
Kishan Patel
Vanessa Perry
Alexander Pesco
Kai Pittman
Walker Richtmyer
Jeannette Rodriguez
H Nathaniel Rose
Madison Ryan
Regan Scholtisek
Carter Seeley-Ion
Kameryn Sheldon
Joslynnann Simpson
Jena Slater
Ashley Smith
Emilee Stephani
Karissa Stutzman
Kai Sutterby
Emma Tanner
Darwin Terry
Blake VanDyke
Nikole VanDyke
Austin Voorheis
Avery Watson
Casen Weeden
Annika Wickham
Grace Wickham
Nathaniel Wickham
Danielle Wise
Ayden Zahradnik

Photos above right: From top: Joe Chedzoy delivers Valedictory Address; Kathleen Clifford delivers Salutatory Address; Cierra Barber receives diploma from School Board President Gloria Brubaker.

******

From left: Wrett and Wyatt Brower receive the Amber Brockway Award from Principal Kai D'Alleva.

Awards presented at ceremony

Among the awards presented at Saturday's graduation ceremony were the following.

Amber Brockway Award
$500 awarded to Seniors who are compassionate, loving, kind, and charitable. The recipients must be going to a two or four year college. This year’s recipients are:
Wrett Brower and Wyatt Brower

Dart League Award
$200 given to a Senior who has high academic achievement in math. This year’s recipient is: H Nathaniel Rose

Devon Shaw “Defense for Devon” Award
$1007 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, while displaying the importance of family, friends and community in their everyday life. This year’s recipient is:
Danielle Leszyk

Erik Houseknecht Memorial Award
$100 awarded to a Senior who has improved significantly throughout their 4 years of High School, reaching higher academic achievement & greater personal goals by believing in themselves, and helping others. This year’s recipient is:
Tapanga Kelly

Finger Lakes Finns Scholarship
$700 Scholarship awarded to a Senior based on academic goals, values, community involvement and interest in the Finnish culture. This year’s recipient is:
Emilee Stephani

Frank DeSarno IV Memorial Scholarship
$1000 given to a Senior who has a passion for the automotive industry, and will continue their education in the automotive field. This year’s recipient is:
Jacob Asbury

Freeman Family Foundation Teaching Award
$5000 awarded to a deserving graduate who is going on to a college to pursue a career in teaching. This year’s recipient is:
Allison Gibson

Hector Area Lions Club
Lion Rob Swinnerton Memorial Scholarship
$500 Scholarship awarded to a student pursuing higher education who demonstrates a consistent commitment to volunteerism and assisting those in need in the community. This year’s recipient is:
Isabella Fazzary

Hector Presbyterian Church
Memorial Fund Scholarship
$1,500 Awarded to a student based on academic achievement and service to our community. This year’s recipient is:
Grace Wickham

Investigator Sergeant Loius A. VanCleef II Memorial Award
Lou was a 1988 graduate of Watkins Glen who dedicated his life to public service and justice. As a police officer, he heroically volunteered to participate in the search and rescue efforts at The World Trade Center following the attack on 9/11/2001. This $500.00 award is presented to a college bound senior of good character, who has demonstrated a commitment to their community, and will pursue a career in law enforcement. This year’s recipient is:
Avery Watson

Italian American Festival Frank Chiacchierini Humanitarian Award
$700 Scholarship recognizing a Senior for admirable volunteer service to the community.
This year’s recipient is:
Ashley Smith

Jimmy Combs Athletic Scholarship
$300 Awarded to a senior for their involvement in sports, academic achievements, community service and character. This year’s recipient is:
Hannah Morse

The Knights of Columbus Council 5147 Memorial Scholarship.
The recipient of this year’s $300 scholarship is: Jonathon Hatch

Ladies Wednesday Afternoon Club Award
This organization thinks highly of further education and gives out scholarships to students who have worked hard and strived to improve each year, excelling in their academic achievements. The recipient of this year’s $150 scholarship is:
Austin Voorheis

The Lake Country Players
Charlie and Nancy Cole Drama Award
This is a brand new annual award in honor of Charlie and Nancy Cole. They have been actively involved in just about every show since the chartering of the Burdett Players in 1976 and an invaluable supporter of the arts. This $250 award is presented to a student for their involvement in the performing arts and dedication to theater in our community. This year’s recipient is:
H Nathaniel Rose

The Lake Country Players Performing Arts Award
$150 to a graduating senior who has been involved in the performing arts. This year’s recipient is:
Jeannette Rodriguez

Live Like Liz Scholarship-Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education Fund
$1,000 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. This year’s recipient is:
Kathleen Clifford

Lynn Collier Memorial Business Award
$500 awarded by the Chemung/Schuyler Municipal Clerks Association to a student continuing their education at an accredited school in the field of Business or Government.
Ashley Smith

Maurice Costa Scholarship
A $7,000 scholarship awarded to a Senior enrolling in a school for the trades. The award is based on a student’s academics, character, financial need and future goals. This year’s recipient is:
Nancy Jackson

Melissa B. Wilson Sportsmanship Award
$1350 given to a Senior girl with an academic average over 80% who participates in athletics and school activities with enthusiasm and good sportsmanship. This year’s recipient is:
Jena Slater

Michael Watson Memorial Wrestling Scholarship:
$500 awarded after successful completion of the first semester of college to a Senior wrestler with at least 3 years of wrestling experience. This year’s recipient is:
Avery Watson

The Nick Dugo Memorial Scholarship
The Watkins Glen community lost an icon with the passing of Nick Dugo. Nick touched countless lives through his decades of passionate and inspirational teaching and community service. To honor this legacy, the Nick Dugo Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to provide scholarships for Watkins Glen Central School seniors who exemplify Mr. Dugo's ideals. The first recipient of this award is a deserving student who has demonstrated significant service to this school and her community.
Jordyn Barrett

Northrup Foundation Award
$1000 given to a Senior for outstanding scholastic achievement. This year’s recipient is:
Kishan Patel

NYS Education Department Scholarships for Academic Excellence Awarded for academic excellence.
The three recipents of the $500 awards are:
Kathleen Clifford, Kai Sutterby and Casen Weeden
The recipient of the $1,500 award is:
Joseph Chedzoy

Peter A. Pevo Memorial Education Award
$300 awarded to a Senior pursuing a career related to Early Childhood Education. This year’s recipient is:
Nathan Wickham

2019 Petrillose Family Scholarship Award
$1,000 Awarded to a student based on academic achievement and work ethic who will be attending Cornell University in the fall. This year’s recipient is:
Kathleen Clifford

PTO Academic Improvement Award
$500 given to a Senior who has shown significant improvement throughout their High School career. This year’s recipient is:
Nancy Jackson

PTO Community Service Award
$500 awarded to a Senior who demonstrates a commitment to community service. This year’s recipient is:
Isabella Fazzary

Ray Bailey Memorial Award
$100 awarded to a Senior who will share their appreciation of music by continued participation in a community music group; this student may also be minoring in music in college.
Kathryn Losey

The Ryan Pruitt Awareness 24 Program RPA #24 Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship awarded to a senior who has displayed sportsmanship and learned what it is to work together with others and help teammates which was a trait that Ryan had.
Joseph Arcangeli

Schuyler County Highway Association Scholarship
$250 awarded to a senior who plans to attend a college with studies in the environmental conservation field or a trade school in the equipment operation field. This year’s recipient is: Casen Weeden

Schuyler County Retired Teachers Association
$500 Award to a Senior in recognition of academic achievement and the plan to pursue a career in the field of education. This year’s recipient is:
Jena Slater

Schuyler County Deputy Sheriffs Association Nicholas P. Preston Scholarship
This $2000 Scholarship is awarded to a Senior who will be attending college to major in criminal justice or a related field. This year’s recipient is:
Emilee Stephani

The Schuyler County Youth Football Scholarship
$750 Awarded to two Seneca Indians Football players who have demonstrated leadership, sportsmanship, hard work and dedication on and off the field. This year’s recipients are:
Wrett Brower
Wyatt Brower

Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary’s Health Care Scholarship
$1,000 Award to a Senior in recognition of academic achievement and the plan to pursue a career in the field of health care. This year’s recipient is:
Cierra Barber

Scottish American Society of S. Tier George Cunningham Scottish Essay Award
$500 awarded to a student with a winning essay. This year’s recipient is:
Casen Weeden

The Spirit of Schuyler Scholarship
$1000, Awarded to two deserving Schuyler County residents who are pursuing further education in the arts. This year’s recipient is.
Annika Wickham and Nancy Jackson

Watkins Glen Elks 1546 Annual Scholarship
$1,500 given this year to two deserving students, after the successful completion of the first semester of study. This year’s recipients are:
Isabella Fazzary and Danielle Leszyk

The Watkins Glen Faculty Association Education Scholarship
The Watkins Glen Faculty Association encourages talented individuals to enter the education profession. To inspire this goal, a scholarship of $750 is awarded to a senior pursuing a certification in education. This year’s recipient is:
Jordyn Barrett

Watkins Glen Faculty Association Scholarship for Children of Association Members
The WGFA encourages and supports the educational advancement of its members' children. To aid in this effort, a scholarship of $750 is awarded to one deserving senior who is the child of a WGFA member. This year’s recipient is:
Annika Wickham

Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association
The Watkins Glen Alumni Association offers scholarships to assist students in attaining educational goals. They recognize ability, achievement, quality of service, character and integrity. This year’s recipients are:
$2,000 to H Nathaniel Rose
$1,500 to Nancy Jackson
$1,500 to Julie Liu
$1,000 to Annika Wickham
$1,000 Friends of Alice Joyce Award to Danielle Leszyk

Watkins Montour Lions Club-John Cook Milford Warner “ Bud” Warner Outstanding Student Award
$1000 given to a graduating Senior based on academic achievement and community service. This year’s recipient is:
Casen Weeden

Watkins Montour Lions Club- John Cook Milford Warner “BUD” Warner Improved Student Award
$1000 awarded to a graduating Senior based on academic achievement, character and community service. This year's recipient is:
Nancy Jackson

Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Scholarship
$1000 awarded to a student based on Service Above Self, participation in extracurricular activities, academic achievement and educational goals. This year's recipient is:
Allison Gibson

PTO Community Service Award
$500 awarded to a Senior who demonstrates a commitment to community service. This year's recipient is:
Trevor Thurston

Zonta/Belle Cornell Club Award
$250 given to a senior girl entering the field of medical & health related studies. This year’s recipient is:
Kai Sutterby

Zonta/Francis Van Billard Club Award
$250 given to a senior girl entering the field of business & enterprise studies. This year’s recipient is:
Taylor Kelly

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Photos in text: From the top; Graduates Jena Slater and Allie Gibson; and H Nathaniel Rose and Jillian Cantieni receive their diplomas from School Board President Gloria Brubaker.

Other photos:

Left: Graduates Isabella Fazzary and Kishan Patel. Right: Abby Gibson, on hand for the graduation of her sister, Allie.

Left: Graduate Collin Baker gives his mother Dawn a hug. Right: Graduate Casen Weeden, who will study Environmental Science in college, wore a theme cap.

Left: Graduates Danielle Leszyk, left, and Hannah Morse. Right: 2018 graduate Isobel Scheffey, left, and Odessa-Montour valedictorian Kennedey Heichel, who was on hand to watch her boyfriend Joe Chedzoy graduate.

Left: Claudia Parker receives her diploma from School Board President Gloria Brubaker. Right: Senior Class Advisor Sam Brubaker after the ceremony.