Graduating senior Shelby Olafson plays the National Anthem at the beginning of the ceremony.

WGHS grads look backward, and toward a promising future

WATKINS GLEN, June 26 -- Watkins Glen High School graduated nearly 100 students Saturday in a ceremony marked by speeches that looked backward at memorable years, and ahead to an unknown but exciting future.

The ceremony -- before a full house in the school's auditorium -- featured the National Anthem played on trumpet by graduating senior Shelby Olafson, Opening Remarks by Senior Class President Ethan Roth, a Salutatory speech by Emily Pazar, a Senior Oration by Shannon Hazlitt, a Valedictory address by Sarah Bond, the presentation of dozens of awards and scholarships, the Awarding of Diplomas, and Closing Remarks by outgoing National Honor Society President Casey Holland.

Music -- including a "Pomp and Circumstance" processional and a "Coronation March" recessional -- was provided by the High School Band, accompanied by some alumni.

A general theme of the speeches was how, at a time of reminiscence -- of looking back over 13 enjoyable and challenging years of education -- it was now time to look ahead.

Said Roth to the parents in the audience: "We need you, your guidance in the upcoming years as we make a transition. Know that we love you ... and just believe we can fly."

Said Pazar: "This is a day of celebration for our accomplishments -- what we've done and will do." The Class of 2011, she added, is "bright, innovative and kind."

Hazlitt, in her address, said the members of the class "have watched each other grow," balancing schoolwork, sports and family in an effort to succeed all-around. While that was difficult, she added, "we've won this contest." While her fellow graduates "all have unique talents and interests," it is a class that has been "unified."

Bond said that while she has been reminiscing, "we're ready to embark on the indescribable journey that is life." She told her classmates to "laugh every day, long and hard. Life is what you make it. Every one of you has the potential" to make it incredible. Likening life to a horse race, she urged the students to "take the reins and don't hold back."

Holland said that he believes "in the strength of the individual," but that it was wise to count on other people, too, for "everything we do is built on a foundation of other people's work ... We're constantly learning. It doesn't end here; it just keeps on happening."

Those receiving diplomas included the following:

The top 10 academically:

Sarah Elizabeth Bond
Emily C. Pazar
Shannon M. Hazlitt
Nicholas P. Cocca
Zachary Dvornicky-Raymond
Christine Lynne Ector
Marissa L. Pike
Throsby J. Wells
Amber R. Swartz
Alexandra LeePaige Young

The rest of Class of 2011, in alpabetical order:

Ryan J. Albro
Blossom N. Arden
Andrew E. Barrett
Margaret Ann Bartow-Cannon
Paul Robert Lee Bauman
Andrea Adele Bellavigna
Kody M. Besley
Terry E. Bond
Nicole Elizabeth Bordonaro
Kayla M. Bryan
Kirsten Rene Burge
Kylee J. Carrigan
Maria Belen Chavez
Shelby Beth Clark
Dylan Z. Colunio
James R. Compton
Andrew G. Conklin
Shawn Louis DeBolt
Krystal M. Delong
Anthony James DeSarno
Trevor Steven DesJardins
Marcus E. Dinkins
Erik M. Ellison
Tyler J. Fausel
Connor A. Fazzary
Laura Jessica Flood
Brokton V. Force
Taylor W. Gates
Allison Marie Gentile
Jacq Kodiak Goehner
Alexander R. Hancharik
Matthew M. Hayes
Erika Renee Hoad
Casey Ryan Holland
Catarina Elissa Hong
Sarah Diane Huey
Cody Donald Hughey
Ashley Ann Jacobs
Kelsey Lynn Johnson
Ashlee Lynn Johnston
Shawna Teaiona Jones
Elliott Karl Kelley
Joshua Ryan Kelly
Ka Yui Leung
Kaitlyn D. Lewis
Joshua MP Lindsay
Christina L. Locke
Justin T. Maceda
Andrew Joseph Malaney
Matthew Clark Mallette
Marco Manzo II
Nychelle J. Mathews
Travis J. McCormick
Brittany Ann Miller
Brendon Lynn Monteiro
Joshua C. Morey
Lewis E. Morse
Shelby Marie Olafson
Brittany C. Popovich
Bryan Michael Post
Anna Michelle Raymond
Adam James Rice
Samuel Allin Richardson
James E. Riddle
Ethan Joseph Roth
Maria Elizabeth Scuteri
Marshall Robert Secord
Kendra Beverly Shaw
William Francis Simiele
Nathan C. Simmons
Charles Michael Simon
Hannah N. Somerville
Derek Michael Steinruck
Stephen B. Swarthout
Tucker Michael Swartwood
Alleah Faith Switzer
Jacob Ian Teeter
Ryan Phillip VanAlstine
Tiffani N. Victor
Vanessa Kathryn Voorheis
Travis M. Waite
Stephen M. Weldon
Thomas Fibbe Wickham
Jewel Marie Wilson
Haleigh Ann Wixson
Alexzandria A. Wood
Benjermin Aaron Wood

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Awards and Scholarships

The awards and scholarships presented Saturday were as follows, determined by either the faculty or the organization that issued the award.

1. The Northrup Foundation Award: Sarah Bond

2. The Freeman Family Foundation History Award: Emily Pazar

3. Watkins-Montour Lions Club Cook-Warner Improved Student Scholarship: Jacq Goehner

4. Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Achievement Scholarship: Alexandra Young

5. Financial Institutions of Schuyler County Award: Sarah Bond

6. Tommy K. Martin Law Enforcement Elks Club Scholarship: Cody Hughey

7. VFW Outstanding Senior Awards: Haleigh Wixson, Nicholas Cocca, Andrew Conklin and Marissa Pike

8. New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association Scholarship: Marcus Dinkins

9. Butch Bianco Sports Award: Andrew Conklin

10. Zonta Club Business Award: Laura Flood

11. Friends of Music Award: Shelby Olafson

12. Southern Tier Guidance Counselor Award: Ethan Roth and Marshall Secord

13. Merry-Go-Round Book Club Award: Laura Flood

14. PTO Academic Improvement Scholarship Award: Stephen Swarthout

15. Student Council Awards: Elliott Kelley, Throsby Wells

16. Maurice Costa Memorial Scholarship: Marcus Dinkins, Maria Scuteri, Kody Besley, Taylor Gates

17. Hector Presbyterian Church Memorial Scholarship: Zach Dvornicky-Raymond

18. PTO Community Service Scholarship: Shannon Hazlitt

19. Joanne Hayes Memorial Scholarship: Shawna Jones

20. Erik Houseknecht Memorial Scholarship: Shannon Hazlitt, Benjermin Wood

21. Finger Lakes Runner's Club Award: Shannon Hazlitt

22. Excellence in French Award: Emily Pazar

23. Dart Club Math Award: Throsby Wells

24. Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Scholarship Award: Alexandra Young

25. Beth McNamara Art Award: Ryan Albro

26. Peter A. Pevo Memorial Education Award: Hannah Somerville

27. "Live Like Liz" Scholarships: Kelsey Johnson, Sarah Bond

28. Watkins-Montour Lions Club "Bud" Warner Achievement Scholarship: Amber Swartz

29. Dr. J.J. Love/Bill Meehan Elks Club Scholarship: Marshall Secord

30. Frank Chiacchiarini Humanitarian Award: Kelsey Johnson

31. Ray Bailey Memorial Music Award: Shelby Olafson

32. Melissa Wilson Sportsmanship Award: Kirsten Burge

33. Lenore Fenaughty Business Award: Thomas Wickham

34. Watkins Glen Faculty Association Member Scholarships: Krystal DeLong, Shannon Hazlitt

35. Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Award: Ryan VanAlstine

36. Watkins Glen P.B.A. Scholarship: Travis Waite

37. Zonta Club Medicine/Health Award: Alexandra Young

38. Mary E. Stowell Teaching Award: Casey Holland

39. Amber Brockway Award: Shawna Jones

40. Freeman Family Foundation Teaching Award: Christine Ector, Casey Holland

41. PTO Art Award: Tiffani Victor

42. Ronald Ward Tech Education Achievement Award: Maria Scuteri

43. Travel French Award: Throsby Wells

Photos in text:

Top: Sam Richardson receives his diploma from his father, School Board member Tom Richardson.

Second: Shannon Hazlitt delivers the Senior Oration.

Third: Sarah Bond delivers the Valedictory Address.

Fourth: Ethan Roth receives an award from High School Principal Dave Warren.

Fifth: Exchange Student David Leung receives his diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Sixth: High School Principal Dave Warren presents the Melissa Wilson Sportsmanship Award to Kirsten Burge.

Seventh: Ryan VanAlstine receives his diploma from Mr. O'Donnell.

Eighth: Graduating senior Marissa Pike.

Ninth: School Board President Brian O'Donnell hands a diploma to graduating senior Hannah Somerville.

Tenth: Casey Holland delivers his Closing Remarks.

Eleventh: Andrew Conklin is handed his diploma by School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Twelfth: Graduating senior Kendra Shaw.

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Amber Swartz and Jacq Goehner pose while waiting in the Field House gym for the start of the graduation ceremony

Left: Graduate Ashlee Johnston. Right: Andrea Bellavigna receives her diploma from Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Emily Pazar delivers her Salutatory Address.

Throsby Wells receives his diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Waiting for the ceremony to start Saturday were, from left: Adam Rice, Marshall Secord, Will Simiele, Thomas Wickham and Matt Hayes.

Left: Andrew Malaney receives his diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell. Right: Exchange Student Maria Chavez before the ceremony started.

Brendon Monteiro was a blur as he suddenly stopped and did a flip while crossing the stage to receive his diploma.

Haleigh Wixson receives a VFW Outstanding Senior Award.

Thomas Wickham receives a Business Award.

The High School Band performed a Processional and Recessional.

Christine Ector receives her diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Erik Ellison receives his diploma from School Board President Brian O'Donnell.