19 Schuyler Scholars honored

WATKINS GLEN, June 11 -- Seniors whose academic efforts have landed them in the top 10% of their class in their high school careers were honored Thursday night at the third annual Schuyler Scholars Celebration in the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

Ten seniors from Watkins Glen High School, seven from Odessa-Montour and two from Bradford were presented plaques after enjoying a hotel dinner. The previous year's ceremonies were held at the Montour Falls Fire Hall and at the Watkins Glen International Media Center.

The meal was preceded by introductory remarks from Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips and a speech by Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary. Following the meal, former Schuyler Scholar Alan McIlroy, a student at SUNY Geneseo, presented a brief address.

Those honored were:

Watkins Glen High School: Christopher Carlton, Devon Crispell, Lee Ann Gezzi, Phillip Kellogg, Gabrielle Klick, Rebecca Laughlin, Caroline Likoudis, Jordan Niver-Johnson, Preston Roberts and Jenna Swarthout.

Odessa-Montour: Trevor Carey, Stephanie Collins, Katie Griggs, Stephanie Letteer, Derek Morgan, Kayleigh Robinson and Darren Sipes.

Bradford: Amanda O'Dell and Mallory Storelli.

Present also were the superintendents of the three districts -- Phillips from Watkins Glen, James Frame from O-M, and Wendy Field from Bradford -- along with principals Dave Warren (WGHS), Greg Conlon (O-M) and Kelly Houck (Bradford) and Watkins Glen School Board members Brian O'Donnell, Gloria Brubaker, Robert Dill, Joe Fazzary and Tom Richardson.

Both Fazzary in his remarks and McIlroy in his urged the honorees to give thought in the future about returning to Schuyler County. Said Fazzary: "I came back, and I've never regretted it for one day. I came back because I loved it, loved the people, the family atmosphere."

He said the county will always need new blood: "We need veterinarians, we need doctors, we need lawyers, principals, laborers and business owners. No matter what, Schuyler County will always be your home community ... Even if it's 20 years down the road, think how you can give back to the community when you have a chance."

Said McIlroy: "You're all big fish in a small pond, but that's going to flipflop in about three months ... Don't forget your roots here at home, because it's home that gave you your start." He urged the honorees to "consider coming back. Schuyler County needs you."

Photos in text:

Top: Honoree Preston Roberts receives a plaque from Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Middle: Honoree Stephanie Collins is handed her plaque by O-M Superintendent James Frame.

Bottom: Honorees Caroline Likoudis and Darren Sipes.

Left: O-M's Trevor Carey. Right: Superintendents Wendy Field and James Frame.

Left: O-M's Derek Morgan. Right: O-M's Katie Griggs.

Left: WGHS honoree Jenna Swarthout. Right: Former Schuyler Scholar Alan McIlroy speaks as Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Philllips listens in the background.

Left: Chris Carlton of WGHS. Right: Bradford's Amanda O'Dell, left, and Mallory Storelli.

Left: Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, and District Attorney Joseph Fazzary. Right: O-M's Kayleigh Robinson.

Left: Watkins Glen's Devon Crispell. Right: Watkins Glen's Jordan Niver-Johnson.

From left: Watkins Glen's Phillip Kellogg, Rebecca Laughlin and Lee Ann Gezzi.

Left: O-M's Stephanie Letteer. Right: Watkins Glen's Gabrielle Klick is congratulated by Superintendent Tom Phillips.