From left: Bradford's Nicholas Machuga, Watkins Glen's Samantha Gill,
and Elmira Notre Dame's Tom Agan.

Top Drawer 24

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

By Charlie Haeffner

ODESSA, May 26, 2014 -- It is time once again for an annual rite -- the unveiling of the Top Drawer 24 team. This is the ninth such team, and this year it is dominated again by seniors.

But this time, too, it has among its ranks students from five schools that were not participants in past years: Elmira Notre Dame, Horseheads High, Thomas A. Edison, Elmira Christian Academy and Twin Tiers Christian Academy.

The Top Drawer honorees -- 15 females and 9 males -- are students from those five schools and from high schools in the Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Bradford, Trumansburg and Spencer-Van Etten districts. The honorees were selected by a committee based on a combination of academic, athletic and social achievements.

While expanding the scope of the territory it covers, the Top Drawer program has maintained tradition by considering anyone in grades 9 through 12 as eligible for consideration. However, no freshmen made the team this year, nor in the prevous seven years. One sophomore was on the squad last year, and one is again this year. There are 20 seniors and three 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 Scholar-Athlete-Citizen Team, named in honor of the former Watkins Glen High School principal and former 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 Sunday, June 1 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 and beverage 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 eight years ago, we did so in a low-keyed fashion, announcing its members publicly only after a party honoring them was held. Since those early days, we have announced the selections before 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.

Clockwise from left: Speakers Dave Murray, Jenna Cottrell, Chelsea Lehman
and Mark Stephany.

Speakers for the program include Hamilton College head football coach Dave Murray, WENY-TV sportscaster Jenna Cottrell, former Top Drawer honoree Chelsea Lehman, and Mark Stephany, executive director of the Elmira Psychiatric Center and a longtime soccer coach..

Awards for the Odessa File Athletes of the Year at the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools -- plaques sponsored by the E.C. Cooper insurance firm -- 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 this year to two students who have exhibited sportsmanship not only on the playing field, but in the game of life, or who have met adversity in life with determination -- 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, Nicole Colunio and Felicia Johnson..

A group photo of the Top Drawer 24 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 are as follows, by school and grade:

WGHS

12th Grade

Matt Gill -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 3rd year on the Top Drawer team
Samantha Gill -- swimming, track -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Lindsey Suddaby -- swimming/diving, bowling, track-- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Caitlin Connelly -- indoor track, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

11th Grade

Mikayla Elliott -- volleyball, softball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

10th Grade

Ian Chedzoy -- football, wrestling, lacrosse -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Bradford

12th Grade

Nicholas Machuga -- soccer, basketball, baseball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

******

From left: O-M's Dana Roberts, S-VE's Eliot Deppe, and O-M's Hailie Searles.

*******

O-M

12th Grade:

Jordan Little -- swimming, bowling, softball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Maia Rumsey -- swimming, bowling, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Jenelle Bleiler -- swimming, bowling -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

11th Grade:

Dana Roberts -- soccer, cheerleading, track -- 2nd year on the Top Drawer team
Hailie Searles -- soccer, basketball, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Trumansburg

12th Grade

Mitchell Swartwood -- soccer, basketball, baseball -- 2nd year on Top Drawer team
Abby Van Soest -- cross country, indoor track, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Spencer-Van Etten

12th Grade

Maia Kunzman -- field hockey, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Eliot Deppe -- football, basketball, baseball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Hayden Grover -- football -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

*****

From left: Edison's Tyler Troccia, and Horseheads' Jennifer LaViola and Erin Strollo.

******

Elmira Notre Dame

12th Grade

Tom Agan -- football, basketball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Elmira Christian Academy

12th Grade

Abram Newcomer -- soccer, basketball, track -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Twin Tiers Christian Academy

12th Grade

Heidi Depue -- basketball, soccer, volleyball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Thomas A. Edison

12th Grade

Tyler Troccia -- football, baseball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Katelyn Warren -- volleyball, basketball, softball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

Horseheads

12th Grade

Erin Strollo -- soccer, basketball, lacrosse -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team
Jennifer LaViola -- soccer, basketball -- 1st year on the Top Drawer team

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Thumbnail sketches of the honorees.

Hailie Searles is a junior at Odessa-Montour High School. She is a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball and track, the latter as a distance runner. Among her achievements: she holds the school Steeplechase record. She is president of the National Honor Society, Junior Class president, vice-president of the Rotary-affiliated Interact Club, a peer tutor, a member of 4-H and of a church youth group, and a High Honor student with a 96.5 grade-point average. She was also on stage this spring in the school play "The Sound of Music." She plans to attend Corning Community College before transferring to a four-year school with an eye toward a career in the medical field.

Maia Rumsey is a senior at Odessa-Montour High School. She has competed in varsity swimming, track and bowling, and was this year an IAC Swim All-Star and an Odessa File First Team selection in the fall for her swimming achievements. She is a leader on the track team, and an All-Star in that sport. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and the Senior Leadership Cabinet, has participated in school musicals and in performances by Dream Barn Productions, is a member of Band and Chorus, and is a Peer Tutor. She is a High Honor student and a recipient of an Elmira College Key Award and an RIT Award for Innovational Creativity. She plans to attend SUNY Cobleskill to study culinary arts, with an eye toward owning a bakery or cafe.

*****

From left: S-VE's Hayden Grover, Twin Tiers Christian Academy's Heidi Depue, and Watkins Glen's Ian Chedzoy.

*********

Dana Roberts is a junior at Odessa-Montour High School. She is a standout in soccer and track, and a key member of the school cheerleading team. She is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, the Junior Leadership Cabinet, Band and Chorus, a class officer, and on the prom committee. She was an O-M track MVP in 2013, and a consistent winner in several events this year on the IAC Divisional and IAC Tournament champion O-M track team. She also won the IAC Pentathlon championship this year. A church counselor and volunteer, and a member of theater productions in her school and community, she plans to attend Bethune-Cookman University, enter the Education and Human Services field, and work for childcare development. This is her second straight year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Jordan Little is a senior at Odessa-Montour High School. She is a three-sport athlete, competing in bowling, softball and swimming, and was an IAC and Odessa File swim All-Star. She is a High Honor student, a member of National Honor Society, Student Council (where she is treasurer), the Senior Leadership cabinet, Band and Chorus, serves as a School Aide and a Peer Tutor, and had a key role in this year's high school spring musical, "The Sound of Music." She was also a Rotary Student of the Month this spring. She plans to attend Alfred University, compete on its swim team, study Environmental Science and become an Environmental Lawyer or a member of the Department of Environmental Conservation or the Environmental Protection Agency.

Jenelle Bleiler is a senior at Odessa-Montour High School, where she is valedictorian with a 98 average. She excelled this year, as she has in the past, on the school's varsity swim team and had a key role in the school's spring musical, "The Sound of Music," all the while attending classes at Corning Community College. She has been a member of Student Council and the Rotary-affiliated Interact Club, as well as Zonta Club, and has received a George Eastman Leadership Award and a Stellar Student Award. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, she plans to attend Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania with an eye toward a career as a Music Therapist.

Nicholas Machuga is a senior at Bradford High School, where he is the valedictorian with a 95.62 average. A recipient of an Elmira College Key Award, he is a member of National Honor Society and was named Student of the Year at Bradford in his sophomore year. He is a three-sport athlete, earning all-star status in soccer and basketball and competing on the baseball squad. Outside of school, he is an altar server and assists in communion services at his church. He has been attending classes at Corning Community College this year, and plans to attend Elmira College and, after graduation, seek a job related to business administration.

Ian Chedzoy is a sophomore at Watkins Glen High School -- the only sophomore this year on the Top Drawer 24. A High Honor student, he is a standout in three sports, earning all-star status this year in football and wrestling and playing a key role on his school's inaugural lacrosse team. He finished second in his weight class in the Section IV wrestling tournament, and competed in that sport at States. A member of band and chorus, he participates in a church youth group, plays lacrosse for the Corning Gaffer team, and serves as a chaperone for Special Education children through the TIES program. In his spare time, he helps on his family's Angus Beef farm. He has no college plans yet.

*******

From left: O-M's Jenelle Bleiler and Jordan Little, and Edison's Katelyn Warren.

Caitlin Connelly is a Watkins Glen High School senior, carrying a 99.19 average and ranked No. 2 in her class. A two-sport athlete in Indoor and Outdoor Track, she is the National Honor Society treasurer, Class Treasurer, a member of Student Council, and Editor in Chief of the School Yearbook. She was also a Rotary Club Student of the Month this spring. She is an artist, and had a key acting and singing role in her school's spring musical, "No, No, Nanette" -- for which she designed t-shirts and wrote press releases. Outside of school, she helps run a seasonal Connelly-family antique business. She plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology and major in Marketing -- with a goal, she says, of receiving an MBA and "working my way up through the business world."

Lindsey Suddaby is a Watkins Glen High School senior, ranked 6th in her class with a 96 average. An Odessa File All-Star in diving, she was also a member of the varsity bowling and track-and-field teams, the latter as a hurdler and pole vaulter. She has been secretary of both the National Honor Society and Music Club, and a member of Student Council, Yearbook and the Rotary-affiliated Interact Club. She was honored this year as a Rotary Club Student of the Month, where teacher Kelly Muir described her as "the cream of the crop" with "aspirations to do great things." She plans to attend Ithaca College, compete there in diving, and study toward a career in Speech Pathology.

Mikayla Elliott is a Watkins Glen High School junior who carries a 94 average and is ranked 7th in her class. She is a two-sport athlete -- an IAC and Odessa File All-Star in volleyball and a key member of the varsity softball team. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Rotary-affiliated Interact Club, and is Student Council treasurer. She is a frequent volunteer, helping at such functions as the annual United Way and Labor of Love dinners. She plans to attend college with an eye toward achieving a master's degree in Architecture and a career in historic preservation and architecture.

Samantha Gill is a Watkins Glen High School senior who is a High Honor student with a 97.4 average, ranked third in her class. She was an MVP and Odessa File All-Star in swimming, and captain of the varsity track team. She has served as president of the National Honor Society, is Senior Class vice-president, and a member of the Rotary-affiliated Interact service club, History Club, Music Club, Sources of Strength, and Student Council, and was a high school Aquatics Aide. She participates in her church's Youth Group, and received a Hands of Christ Award. She was also honored as a Rotary Club Student of the Month. She plans to attend LeMoyne College with an eye toward becoming a Physician's Assistant. This is her second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

******

From left: Watkins Glen's Lindsey Suddaby, S-VE's Maia Kunzman, and O-M's Maia Rumsey

******

Heidi Depue is a senior at Twin Tiers Christian Academy, where she carries an average of 98 and is ranked third in her class. She is a three-sport athlete in basketball, soccer and volleyball, with awards including All-Star honors in basketball and soccer, and a League Most Outstanding Player designation in soccer. She is the Student Body President, a Worship Team Leader, a member of the National Honor Society, Class Treasurer, the school's 2013 Student of the Year, and sings in the church choir. She plans to attend Corning Community College to pursue an Associate's Degree in Business, and as a career goal wants to be part of "a large organization that changes lives for the glory of God."

G. Abram Newcomer is a senior at Elmira Christian Academy. He is a three-sport athlete, competing in track, soccer and basketball, and earned All-Star status in soccer and basketball. He carries a 98.8 average and is the class Valedictorian. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and was named the Southern Tier Kiwanis K-Dette Student of the Year. Among his activities is Debating. He is described by an official at his school as "of the highest integrity, exemplary in conduct and behavior, and a wonderful senior." He plans to attend Corning Community College and pursue a career in Engineering.

Tom Agan is a senior at Elmira Notre Dame. He carries a 94 average and is ranked 15th in his class. He is a High Honor student, a member of the Go Green Club and Key Club, and a standout in two sports -- football, where he is a running back, and basketball, where he plays forward. He was named to the All-State 1st Team in football, the All-State 4th Team in basketball, has been on two Section 4 basketball championship teams, and received the Ernie Davis Award that goes to the outstanding football player in the Metro Elmira area. He has also been honored by officials who appreciate his sportsmanship. He plans to attend St. John Fisher College, where he will play football and pursue a career in Accounting.

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From left: Watkins' Matt Gill and Mikayla Elliott, and Trumansburg's Mitchell Swartwood.

******

Tyler Troccia is a senior at Thomas A. Edison High School, where he is an honor student and a three-sport athlete -- playing four years each of varsity football and baseball, and one year on the varsity basketball team. He has been an IAC Baseball All-Star three times and a New York State 7th Team All-Star. This year, he hit .426 during baseball's regular season and has been a standout in postseason play. He has been captain of both the football and baseball teams, and a nominee for the prestigious Ernie Davis Award that goes to the outstanding football player in the Metro Elmira area. He is also a Junior Rotarian, and volunteers to help the handicapped and to help the Elmira Heights Little League. He plans to attend St. John Fisher College, where he will play baseball and major in Sports Management.

Mitchell Swartwood is a Trumansburg High School senior who is the third member of his family to be honored with inclusion on the Top Drawer 24. He is a High Honor student with a 95 average, and a three-sport athlete -- playing soccer, basketball and baseball. He has been selected for Vocal Jazz and Jazz Ensemble groups, and has been instrumental in in helping children through the Ulysses Youth Program and Biddy Basketball. He is a member of the National Honor Society, has served as Student Council president, is a Trumansburg Central School District Foundation representative, and participates in the annual Earth Day Cleanup. He was also part of a mission trip to Guatemala. He plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with an eye toward a career in the Navy. This is his second year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

Katelyn Warren is a senior at Thomas A. Edison High School, a member of the Honor Roll in every marking period from 9th through 12th grades, and ranked 12th in her class. She is a three-sport athlete, competing in varsity volleyball, basketball and softball and earning IAC 1st Team All-Star status in all three, and All-State 2nd Team All-Star honors in volleyball and softball. She was also a member of the 2009 New York State Class D Championship Volleyball Team, and holds the school record for home runs in a single softball season with nine. She is a member of Key Club, the National Honor Society, and the National Technical Honor Society, and is a Junior Rotarian. She was Edison Student of the Year in 2012, and the GST BOCES Student of the Month in February 2014. She plans to attend Keuka College, playing volleyball and softball, and hopes to become an Occupational Therapist.

Jennifer LaViola is a senior at Horseheads High School, where she is an honor student, vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of Interact Club, treasurer of the Varsity "H" Club, and a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She is a standout in soccer and basketball, captaining both varsity squads and earning STAC West All-Star status in both sports and a berth on the All-Leader 2nd Team in basketball. She has served as a Coaches vs. Cancer clinic volunteer, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels Night at the Races, a volunteer for the Horseheads Basketball Camp, and a volunteer at St. Mary Our Mother School Field Day. She plans to attend the University of Scranton to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner.

Matthew Gill is a Watkins Glen High School senior who is an All-Star competitor in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track, and captain on all three teams. He was the Class D runnerup at the New York State Cross Country Meet, and earned Section IV class titles at 1600 Meters in both the indoor and outdoor track seasons. He was winner for the third time of The Odessa File Schuyler Fall MVP award for his outstanding Cross Country season, and was an Odessa File All Schuyler pick in indoor track. He has been class president for four years, is a High Honor student with a 97 average, and is a member of Interact, Varsity Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Music Club, Sources of Strength, and Science Club. He participates in his church's Youth Group, and received a Hands of Christ Award. He plans to attend Binghamton University, and hopes to earn a degree in both Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. This is his third year on the Top Drawer 24 team.

*******

From left: Trumansburg's Abby Van Soest, Elmira Christian Academy's Abram Newcomer, and Watkins Glen's Caitlin Connelly.

Erin Strollo is a senior at Horseheads High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society, vice president of the Varsity "H" Booster Club, and a member of the Student Advisory Committee and the Health Occupations Students of America. She is a three-sport athlete, excelling in soccer, basketball and lacrosse, earning 1st Team All-Section honors in soccer, 2nd Team All Leader status in basketball (her team won the Section IV, Class AA championship), and 1st Team All Leader status in lacrosse. She has volunteered in basketball, soccer and lacrosse camps and clinics, and earned a Hands of Christ Award. She plans to attend Nazareth College with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Abby Van Soest is a senior at Trumansburg, where she is a High Honor student, leading her class with a 99.06 average. She is treasurer of Student Council, a Student Member of the Board of Education, and a member of the School Improvement Team and the National Honor Society. She has volunteered with Pee Wee Track, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, the Schuyler County Humane Society, the Chris Bond 5K race, and the PTA Zombie Walk, and is an Orientation Leader and Facilitator for the school's Class of 2017. She is active in Chorus and Band, participating in Voice and Clarinet at the NYSSMA Festival. She was captain of the varsity Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track teams, an all-star in all three sports, and school MVP in cross country. She is currently enrolled in classes at Tompkins Cortland Community College, and plans to attend Princeton University.

Maia Kunzman is a senior at Spencer-Van Etten High School, where she is Number 1 academically with a 96.46 average. She is a two-sport athlete, competing in Field Hockey and Track. She is the winner of numerous Math and Science scholarships and awards, and is a member of National Key Club, Yearbook Club, the National Honor Society, and the Student Advisory Board, and has served on Student Council. She volunteers to help with after-school programs, Key Club bake sales, a blood drive, a Senior Citizens dinner, a Community Service Day, and a Youth Field Hockey program. She has donated hair to Locks of Love three times, and has served as a Salvation Army bell ringer. She plans to attend Cornell University, majoring in biology with the intent to pursue a career in neuroscience research.

Eliot Deppe is a senior at Spencer-Van Etten High School, where he carries a 96 average and is ranked fourth in his class. He is a three-sport athlete at S-VE -- an IAC All-Star pitcher in baseball, a quarterback in football and a guard in basketball -- and plays Travel baseball as well, earning Quad County All-Star status as a pitcher and shortstop, and playing on a Babe Ruth championship team. Among his honors are a Clarkson Leadership Award and an Elmira College Key Award. He is also a member of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church Youth Group. He plans to attend Ohio State University to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Hayden Grover is a senior at Spencer-Van Etten High School, where he is a High Honor student, a member of National Honor Society, and a member of the Jazz Band, Concert Band and Jazz Choir. He has also been in three school musicals, including this year's "Seussical the Musical," where he played The Cat in the Hat. He was a standout on the varsity football team the past three years, and served as captain the last two. His football honors as a long snapper include inclusion on the Kohl's High School All-American 2nd Team in 2012, and designation as the New York State Special Teams Player of the Year in March. He was also ranked the #1 long snapper by Special Teams Solutions in August 2013, and the #4 long snapper in the nation by 247Sports.com in July 2013. He plans to attend Akron University, where he has been offered Preferred Walk-On status for football.

*****

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.