Exchange student Marie Bucher (France) receives a handshake and diploma from Watkins Glen School Board President Kelly McCarthy.

Watkins Glen High sends
the Class of 2016 on its way

The class size of 75 -- three of whom received diplomas in January; 72 were on the stage Saturday -- was down from last year's 88 and just up from 2014's total of 72 graduates.

More than 30 awards and scholarships were presented to graduates. Most of those awards appear below. We will try to update the list in the coming days.

The Valedictory Address was delivered by Margaret Bond, who told classmates that "it is time for something new," and that now "we get to be whoever or whatever we want." She also told them not to be afraid "to dream big."

The Salutatory Address was delivered by Claire McManus, who said it was the graduates' "responsibility to be brave enough" to take advantage of life's opportunities. And quoting author Mark A. Cooper, she told them not to settle: "Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself."

High School Principal Kai D'Alleva said that while the class was relatively small, it was determined and accomplished, "and I'm proud of you."

The High School Band performed The Processional ("Pomp and Circumstance"), The Alma Mater song and The Recessional ("Of Noble Courage").

Diplomas were presented by School Board President Kelly McCarthy. A list of the Class of 2016 graduates follows the cutlines:

Photos in text:

Top: James St. Julien receives an award from Principal Kai D'Alleva.
Second: Katherine Meehan receives her diploma from School Board member Gloria Brubaker.

Maggie Bond (left) gives the Valedictory Address; Claire McManus the Salutatory.

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Awards presented at ceremony

The awards presented at Saturday's graduation ceremony included the following.

Beth MacNamara Art Award
$100.00 given to a Senior who will pursue a career in Art
Megan Hoy

Amber Brockway Award
$500.00 given to a Senior who is compassionate, loving, kind and charitable. The recipient must be going to a two or four year college. This year's recipient is:
Gianna Willsey-Moline

Michael Watson Memorial Wrestling Scholarship
$500.00 awarded upon successful completion of the first semester of college to a senior who has at least three years of wrestling experience; one of those years must be in grade 12.
Ian Chedzoy and Brandon Gould

Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association Scholarship
Presented at the Alumni Banquet, The Watkins Glen High School Alumni Assoc. will award scholarships in the total amount on $5,000.00, to be divided among these graduating seniors:
Cheyenne Stansfield, Parker Pangallo and Tyler Jelenevsky

Italian American Festival Frank Chiacchiarini Humanitarian Award
$1,000.00 presented to a senior who honors community service and who is active in athletics
Ian Chedzoy

Watkins-Montour Lions Club-John Cook-"Bud" Warner Achievement Scholarship
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a Senior after successful completion of the 1st semester of college for service, leadership and academic endeavors
Ian Chedzoy

Peter A. Pevo Memorial Education Award
$300.00 and a plaque given to a Senior pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education
Gianna Willsey-Moline

PTO Academic Improvement Award
$500.00 given to a Senior who has shown significant academic improvement in his or her high school career.
Ashley Miller

PTO Art Award
$250.00 given to a Senior for excellence in Art
Brooke Shaffer

PTO Community Service Scholarship
$500.00 awarded to a Senior who demonstrates a commitment to community service
Lucas Wickham

Ray Bailey Memorial Award
$100.00 and a plaque given to a Senior who will share his/her appreciation of music by continued participation in a community music group; this student may also be minoring in Music in college
James St. Julien

Southern Tier School Counselor Award
$400 given to two seniors who have earned an average of at least 85% and who demonstrate exemplary leadership, service, and stewardship to school and community.
Emma Allington, Emma Congdon

Watkins Glen Faculty Association Scholarship
$1,000 given to one senior after completion of the first semester of college based on citizenship, dependability, academic achievement and entering the education field.
Ian Chedzoy, Parker Pangallo

Watkins Glen Police Benevolent Association
$250 to be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of college, based on service, character and academic achievement and pursuit of the study of Criminal Justice.
Joe DeSantis

Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Award
$1,000.00 to be awarded at the completion of one semester of college to 2 seniors who are pursuing a career in the Health Care field
Madeleine Ross

CVSA Award
$250.00 awarded to two graduating seniors who have played for the CVSA Soccer League.
Lucas Wickham, Parker Pangallo

Live Like Liz Scholarship (Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education Fund)
$1,500.00 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
Brooke Shaffer, Megan Hoy

Erik Houseknecht Memorial Award
$100.00 awarded to a student who has improved the most throughout his four years of high school, reaching higher academic achievement and greater personal goals by believing in himself and helping other students
Mackenzie Kennedy

Lenore Fenaughty Business Award
$100.00 given to a student who demonstrates exceptional achievement in Business Studies and intends to pursue a professional career in the business world
Cassana Niver

Northrup Foundation Award
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a Senior for outstanding scholastic achievement awarded after the 1st semester of college.
Claire McManus

Melissa B. Wilson Sportsmanship Award
$950.00 and a plaque given to a girl in the senior class with an academic average over 80% who participates in athletics and school activities with enthusiasm and good sportsmanship
Nateah Cornish

Freeman Family Foundation Teaching Award
(In memory of Larry and Ruth Freeman)
$2,500.00 awarded to two graduating Seniors who are going on to a college curriculum in teaching
Katherine Meehan and Brenen Murphy

Watkins Glen Lions Club - John Cook - Milford "Bud" Warner Improved Student Scholarship
$1,000.00 and a plaque given to a senior after successful completion of the first semester of college, for academic improvement of the four years.
De'naja Blanchard

Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Achievement Scholarship
$1,000.00 given to Senior after the 1st semester of college based on academic ability, activities, improvement and goals
Cheyenne Stansfield

Zonta/Belle Cornell Club Award
$250.00 given to a senior girl entering the field of medical and health-related studies at a college
Madeleine Ross

Devon Shaw "Defense For Devon" Memorial Award
$700.00 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, also displaying the importance of family, friends, and community in his daily living, being involved in groups that may include but are not limited to:sports, music, church, scouts, etc.
Parker Pangallo

Lake Country Players Performing Arts Award
$100.00 given to a graduating senior who has been involved in the performing arts.
Portia Wells

NYS Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence
$1,500.00 per year given to a senior, awarding his or her academic excellence.
Margaret Bond

Frank Anthony DeSarno IV Memorial Scholarhip
$1,000 given to a Senior who has a passion for the automotive trade. This scholarship is given in memory of Frank Anthony DeSarno, a Watkins Glen High School graduate.
Cody Austic

Dart League Award ($200)
$200 given to a senior who has high academic achievement in Math.
Brandon Pike

Investigator Sergeant Louis A. Van Cleef II Memorial Award: Jordan Shea

Friends of Music Award: James St. Julien

Spirit of Schuyler Award: Tyler Jelenevsky

Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Business & Education Committee Scholarship: Cheyenne Stansfield

Watkins Glen Elks Lodge 1546 Annual Scholarship: : Parker Pangallo

Photos in text:

From the top: Lucas Wickham during the Processional; Brandon Gould receives his diploma from School Board member Gloria Brubaker; Ian Chedzoy, Megan Hoy and Nateah Cornish receive awards from Principal Kai D'Alleva; Brooke Shaffer during the Processional; Bridgette Guild before the ceremony.

Left: Exchange students Danielle Fuschilo of Brazil (left, who has been attending Odessa-Montour High School) and Marie Bucher of France (who received her WGHS diploma Saturday). Each attended the other's graduation. Right: Gianna Willsey-Moline after the Watkins Glen graduation ceremony.

Sam Brubaker, the senior class advisor, addresses the audience at Commencement.

Left: Graduate Noelle Johnson poses with her mother, Jamie, following the ceremony. Right: Bernadette Osborne visits with friends outside after Commencement.

Left: Emma Allington. Right: Dana Paradiso receives her diploma from School Board member Mark Franzese.