Stuart Cook is congratulated by School Board President Brian O'Donnell upon presentation of Cook's diploma.

Watkins Glen says farewell to the graduating Class of 2010

WATKINS GLEN, June 27 -- The Watkins Glen Class of 2010 listened to its own voices and advice Saturday as 89 of its members were graduated in a commencement ceremony in the high school auditorium.

The graduates heard speeches from Valedictorian Phillip Kellogg, Salutatorian Jenna Swarthout, and student leaders Eric Mack, Christopher Carlton and Kelly Martin. The ceremony by tradition has no keynote speaker.

Kellogg, likening the graduates to the U.S. soccer team, said "we must always push forward to reach our goals ... Be the person you want to be ... Follow your passion ... The greatest failure you could have is not being true to yourself."

Swarthout praised her classmates as inspirational, saying that each "has had an impact on my life." The strength of the group, she added, "is its ability to exceed expectations." She expressed an apology to the school staff as she added: "The Class of 2010 are the real teachers in this place."

Mack told his classmates it was time "to go out to a world full of possibilities," adding: "Sometimes it's not about the destination; it's about the journey ... Here's to the next step."

Carlton thanked parents and teachers, noting that "we are the fruit of your labors." And he told his class to "live in the present, dream of the future, but never forget the past."

Martin, the Senior Class Vice-President, delivered the ceremony's Closing Remarks. She echoed the previous speakers when she said: "Truly make your life your own."

The High School Band, with some previous WGHS graduates participating, and under the direction of Diana Groll, performed the Processional ("Pomp and Circumstance") and the Recessional ("Coronation March").

The class totaled 93 students, but two of those -- Samantha K. Shaw and Katelynne M. Thomas -- graduated in January, while two others were enrolled and graduated from the BOCES program. They are Karrah DeDominick and Jeremiah Wills.

Four graduates of Saturday's 89 were not present for the commencement ceremony: Caroline Likoudis (overseas), Blake Edinger, Christopher French-Lawson, and Charles Linehan.

The 85 present included the following. Diplomas were presented by School Board President Brian J. O'Donnell.

Graduate List:

Ashely E. Blim
John L. Bloodgood
Nina M. Brisbois
Gordon J. Buckley II
Frank S. Cady
Christopher H. Carlton
Kyle A. Cocola
Cassaundra L. Cole
Stuart J. Cook
Devon C. Crispell
Joseph A. Daughmer
Colin J. Davis
Whitney R. DeDominick
Tabitha L. Dobson
Geoffrey J. Donovan
Jesse S. Fenton
Cameron D. Fitch
Connor E. Fitzsimmons
Carter M. Flahive
Kyle L. Gee
Lee Ann Gezzi
Joshua E. Glover
Jonathan M. Groves
Hannah M. Harbot
Taryn M. Hayes
Rachel N. Houseknecht
Brittany S. Jensen
Jordan Niver-Johnson
Phillip S. Kellogg
Gabrielle Marie Klick
Kayla M. Kress
Rebecca K. Laughlin
Hannah R. Lopez
Eric S. Mack
Mathew T. Mangus
Kelly M. Martin
Noelle L. McCarthy
Taylor A. McCarthy
Courtney C. McMinds
Sarahjane E. McPherson
Chelsea C. Menio
Brent M. Miller
Devon R. Monteiro
Karlee M. Mosher
Charles P. Mosley
Jordan M. Myers
Shalyn M. Nagle
Brandy L. Nelson
Derek C. Palmer
Joshua M. Paradiso
Jessica M. Parish
Brandi L. Parlett
Gianni F. Peters
Somer L. Pettet
Ryan J. Phelps
Clarrisa Pike
Bryan Planty
Morgane P. Pulos
Jesse D. Rappleye
Logan R. Rappleye
Justin H. Reed
Rachel M. Rekczis
Jacob Ribaudo
Lisa M. Riddle
Kayla M. Riley
Samantha J. Riley
Preston D.F. Roberts
Dustin L. Rodabaugh
Moritz Schrader
Joseph A. Sheldon
Katlyn N. Smith
Victoria C. Smith
Seth B. Somers
Eva M. Starkweather
Sarah G. Stocum
Neill L. Sullivan
Jenna Mae Swarthout
Katelin J. Swarthout
Sarah J. Teed
Stacey L. Teed
Casey L. Teeter
Nicole K. Terrio
Danielle P. VanOrden
Jacqueline K. Whittaker
Alisa M. Wilbur

Photos in text:

From top: Valedictorian Phillip Kellogg and Salutatorian Jenna Swarthout; Chris Carlton delivers the Senior Oration; Joseph Daughmer receives his diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell; band member Marguerite Kellogg; Hannah Lopez receives her diploma; Kelly Martin delivers the Closing Remarks.

Teachers gathered in a hallway awaiting the start of Saturday's graduation exercise.

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Awards and Scholarships

High School Principal David Warren presented awards and scholarships as follows:

Amber Brockway Award: Katlyn Smith, $500

Beth MacNamara Art Award: Nina Brisbois, $100 bond

Butch Bianco Sports Award: Stuart Cook, $50 bond

Cargill Community Service Scholarship: Jenna Swarthout, $1,000

Dr. T. J. Love / Bill Meehan Elks Club Scholarship: Jenna Swarthout, $1,000

Financial Institutions of Schuyler County Award: Jenna Swarthout, $200 bond.

Italian American Festival Frank Chiacchiarini Humanitarian Award: Sarah Teed, $1,000

Freeman Family Foundation American History Award: Gabrielle Klick, $500

Freeman Family Foundation Teaching Award: Eric Mack & Lee Ann Gezzi, $2,500 each

Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship: Katlyn Smith & Mathew Mangus, $1,000 each

Janet Andrews Simiele History Award: Phillip Kellogg & Caroline Likoudis, $1,000 each

Lenore Fenaughty Business Award: Cameron Fitch, $100

Live Like Liz Scholarship: Sarah Stocum, $1,500

Lucy Viglione French Award: Caroline Likoudis, $100

Melissa B. Wilson Sportsmanship Award: Samantha Riley, $813

Mary E. Stowell Award: Kelly Martin, $500

Merry-Go-Round Book Club Award: Shalyn Nagle, $200

Freer Mucklow Award: Sarah Stocum, $100

Northrup Foundation Award: Jenna Swarthout, $1,000

Peter A. Pevo Memorial Education Award: Courtney McMinds, $300

PTO Academic Improvement Award: Katelin Swarthout, $500

PTO Art Award: Tabitha Dobson, $250

PTO Community Service Scholarship: Taryn Hayes, $500

Ray Bailey Memorial Award: Cameron Fitch, $100

Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Award: Kelly Martin, $350

Schuyler County Dart League Math Award: Gabrielle Klick, $200

Nicholas Preston/Schuyler County Deputy's Association Scholarship: Brent Miller, $2,000

Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Award: Katlyn Smith, $1,000

Southern Tier Guidance Counselor Award: Rebecca Laughlin, $600

Student Council Academic Achievement Awards: Preston Roberts & Chris Carlton, $250 each

Student Council Community Award: Stuart Cook, $100

Lake Country Players Award: Eric Mack, $100

Student Council Community Award: Stacey Teed, $100

Tommy K. Martin Law Enforcement Elks Club Scholarship: Brent Miller, $500

Student Council Citizenship Award: Jacob Ribaudo, $100

Lake Country Players Charlie Stamp Performing Arts Award: Colin Davis, $300

Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship: Mathew Mangus, $1,000

Warren Clute Math Scholarship: Phillip Kellogg, $1,000

Watkins Glen Faculty Association Member Scholarship: Sarah Teed, $1,000

Watkins Glen Faculty Association Scholarship: Mathew Mangus, $1,000

Watkins-Montour Lions Club Milford "Bud" Warner Achievement Scholarship: Phillip Kellogg, $500

Watkins-Montour Lions Club Cook-Warner Improved Student Scholarship: Carter Flahive, $500

Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Achievement Scholarship: Sarah Stocum, $1,000

Zonta Club Award (for senior pursuing medical or health-related studies): Cassaundra Cole, $250

Zonta Club Award (for senior pursuing business studies): Taylor McCarthy

VFW Outstanding Senior Awards: Preston Roberts, Jordan Niver-Johnson, Devon Crispell, Jacob Ribaudo, $100 each

Friends of Music Scholarship: Cameron Fitch, $500

Ronald Ward Tech Education Achievement Award: Nina Brisbois, $500

Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Award: Kayla Riley, $1,000

Maurice Costa Memorial Scholarships: Sarah Teed, Frank Cady, and Logan Rappleye, $1,333 each

Watkins Glen Police Benevolent Association Scholarship: Ryan Phelps, $500

Photos in text:

From top of Awards section: School Board President Brian O'Donnell presents diploma to Sarah Stocum; Sarah Teed; Brent Miller; Samantha Riley receives diploma from School Board member Gloria Brubaker; Devon Crispell receives diploma from O'Donnell; Eric Mack delivers the Opening Remarks.

Graduates (from left) Nicole Terrio, Morgane Pulos and Chelsea Menio.

Left: High School Principal David Warren addresses the graduates. Right: Warren presents an award to graduating senior Stacey Teed.

Left: Cameron Fitch performs a guitar rendition of the National Anthem. Right: Jordan Niver-Johnson receives diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Left: Graduate Cassie Cole. Right: Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, High School Principal Dave Warren and the diplomas.

Left: Jordan Myers receives her diploma. Right: Graduate Carter Flahive.

Graduate Gianni Peters surprised Board President Brian O'Donnell with a hug at his diploma presentation (left) before the two posed (right). Several graduates in a row followed Peters' lead and gave O'Donnell hugs.