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The Odessa-Montour Class of 2018 poses in front of the school before Commencement. (Max Taylor Photography)

59 earn diplomas at O-M

ODESSA, June 22, 2018 -- A total of 59 seniors were presented diplomas Friday night at the 2018 Odessa-Montour High School commencement ceremony, held before a capacity crowd in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The class Salutatorian was Colin Marsh. The Valedictorian was Hailey Perraut, who in a speech said the class has not been complacent, instead intent on "bettering themselves." She said "persistent" described them, and told them there are "lots of opportunities on the other side of those doors as we walk out" and into the post-high school world.

High School Principal Almon "Skip" McCarty was the emcee, and thanked the parents and guardians in the audience "who played a role in getting your kids to this point," and urged them to continue to "be there for them. They'll still need you for a little while" as they encounter "trials and tribulations."

The High School band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as the graduates entered the auditorium, and "Don't You Forget About Me." Staff and Chorus sang "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

After monetary awards and scholarships were presented, diplomas were presented to the 59 O-M graduates.

The Class of 2018:

Cameron David Adams
Taylor Lynn Alton
Noah A. Angle
Noah Spencer Austin
Cheyenne Barrett
Alec William Betts
Michael C. Carson
Heidi E. Casselberry
David James B. Chapman
Gillian Leigh Clark
John Francis Coates
Kateri Connors
LeNay Elise Duet
Kayla Nicole Dundas
Trevor A. Dunn
Sara B. Eberhardt
Gabrielle E. Fazzary
Mia Elizabeth Force-Russell
Taylor John Grover
Curtis William Harris
Kendra Renee Heffner
Hailey Marie Hoose
Elisha May House
Andrew J. Ink
Megan M. Jenkins
Cameron L. Jensen
Jesses James Jordan
Erin Marie Kleist
Zachary Knapp
Sumer Nicole Landon
Alyssa Marie Lindsley
Leah Mae Lockwood
Jeremiah R. Lynch
Jacob Matthew Lyon
Shaualynn N. Maddox
Colin Eugene Marsh
Almon M. McCarty III
Daniel W. Minnier
Jonathan David Myers
Elisha J. Norton
Hailey Perraut
Tanner Randall
Brandon D. Ray
Jordan T. Robinson
Nakiaha Marie Robinson
Hannah M. Rose
Catherine Rounds
Jaylin Karena Rumsey
Beatriz Brancaglione De Silva
Carly A. Smith
Jermyah Spence
Bronwyn Dahlia Stermer
Ashley Nicole Stewart
Syria Francesca Tague
William Francis Tague III
Megan Elizabeth Terry
Taylor M. Thompson
Matthew White
Jacob O.E. Zimmer

Photos in text: From the top: Valedictorian Hailey Perraut delivers a speech; Jaylin Rumsey and Billy Tague strike a pose; Meagan Terry receives a Fine Arts award; Kateri Connors and LeNay Elise Duet.

Left: O-M High School Principal Almon McCarty. Right: Graduate Bronwyn Stermer.

Awards presented at O-M's 2018 graduation ceremony

ODESSA, June 22, 2018 -- Awards and scholarships were announced and presented as part of Friday night's graduation ceremony in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at Odessa-Montour High School.

They included:

1. THE WATKINS MONTOUR ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP

This $1000 scholarship is given to a senior who has displayed high standards of character and academic achievement. The winner in 2018, chosen by a committee of the Rotary Club, is: Nakiaha Robinson

2. THE FRANCIS C. WARD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This $200 award, made possible by Peter Ward and many friends of Dr. Ward, goes to a student who will pursue a career in the medical field. The winner is: Cheyenne Barrett

3. AMERICAN RED CROSS AWARD: Ashley Stewart

4. THE ODESSA-MONTOUR TEACHERS ASSOCIATION EDUCATORS AWAR
D
The teachers’ association annually presents two $400 awards to seniors who plan to study education. The winners are: Taylor Alton and Bronwyn Stermer

5. THE ODESSA-MONTOUR TEACHERS ASSOCIATION ACADEMIC AWARDS
The OMTA also presents $400 awards to the two seniors who have maintained a high average while attaining a large number of high school credits. The winners are: Cheyenne Barrett and Gillian Clark

6. THE J. EDWARD AND THELMA DOLAN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was developed as a legacy to two highly regarded teachers. It is a perpetual memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Dolan. Mr. Dolan taught math for 41 years and Mrs. Dolan taught third grade for 46 years. In 2018 the award is given to a graduate entering higher education to study elementary education or a closely related field.  The award goes to: Elisha House

7. ALICE LOPRESTI NURSING AWARD
This special nursing award in the amount of $1,000 is presented by the LoPresti family in memory of Alice LoPresti, who worked at Schuyler Hospital for many years. It is awarded to a senior who will continue education in the nursing field. The winner for 2018 is: Taylor Grover

8. THE GERARD CROSLEY SENIOR AWARD
This $400 award is considered by many to be the outstanding prize of the year because the winner is chosen by the members of the Senior Class. The senior who has been selected to best represent the class of 2018 is: Hailey Perraut

9. THE WALTER BAIRD ENGINEERING AWARD

The scholarship was instituted by Mrs. Elizabeth Baird to honor the memory of her late husband. It is presented to a student entering the field of engineering or who has excelled in math and science courses in high school. The winner this year is: Trevor Dunn

10. OMCS SUPERINTENDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP
Odessa-Montour Superintendent Chris Wood developed this scholarship for a college or career-bound senior to enhance technological creativity and innovation. The 2018 winner of a laptop computer is: Nakiaha Robinson

11. GARY T. BROWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Gillian Clark

12. NYS EDUCATION DEPT. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
The State Of New York awards academic excellence scholarships to seniors who have achieved the highest average on selected Regents examinations. This year’s winners are: Shaualynn Maddox, Meagan Terry and Hailey Perraut

13. FRANK MUDRAK SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was created in loving memory of Frank Mudrak, who was a science teacher at O-M for 29 years. The award is given to a senior who has demonstrated interest in, understanding of and capability in using the methods and concepts of scientific inquiry toward solving real world problems. The winner of this $300 award is: Colin Marsh

14. THE SENKA AGENCY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AWARD
This award is given annually to a senior who plans to attend college, has strong academic ability and who will study business in college. The winner is: Billy Tague

15. THE ODESSA-MONTOUR FINE ARTS BOOSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Fine Arts Boosters recognize students who will enter college to study in the fine arts field. The winners for 2018 are: Cheyenne Barrett, Jaylin Rumsey and Meagan Terry

16. SCHUYLER COUNTY ITALIAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL FRANK CHIACCHIERINI COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
A $1000 award is provided from the proceeds from The Italian-American Festival in Watkins Glen. The scholarship is given in honor of Frank Chiacchierini, who was instrumental in the founding of the Italian American Festival. The selection is based on high standards of character, self-determination, and school and community service. The winner chosen by a committee of the scholarship presenters is: Taylor Grover

17. McGARRY SCHOLARSHIP
This award is given by the McGarry Family in memory of their son Danny who graduated from Odessa-Montour in 1994. The award is presented to a senior who has been an inspiration to others. The winner for 2018 is: Jermyah Spence

18. LAKE COUNTRY PLAYERS AWARD: John Coates

19. SAMMY M. WARREN AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES
This award is given in memory of Sammy Warren, who was a member of the class of 1970. Selection of the recipient is based on scholastic and personal achievements and community involvement. The participant must demonstrate a personal interest in sustainability or the environment. The winner of this $300 award is: Erin Kleist

20. SCDL EXCELLENCE IN MATH AWARD
This $200 award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown excellence in math. The winner this year is: Andrew Ink

21. BELLE CORNELL ZONTA AWARD
The Watkins Glen-Montour Falls Zonta Club presents a $250 award to a graduating senior who will enter school working toward a degree in a medical-related field. This year’s winner will be working with animals studying vet technology: Kayla Dundas

22. FRANCES VanBILLIARD ZONTA AWARD
The Watkins Glen-Montour Falls Zonta Club presents a $250 award to a graduating senior who will enter college and major in business or a related field. This year’s winner is: Carly Smith

23. NELSON BEEBE SCHOLARSHIP
This $200 award is given in memory of Nelson Beebe. He was an outstanding community member and educator, and supported athletics programs at Odessa-Montour throughout his life. It is given to a graduating senior who has supported athletics while in high school. The award was made possible through donations made in Mr. Beebe’s name to the O-M Sports Boosters. The winner, chosen by the presenters, is: Bronwyn Stermer

24. CUMMINGS FAMILY MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is given by Lisa Frost and her siblings in memory of their parents. The award is presented to: Jacob Lyon

25. VERA DAVIS FARNSWORTH SCHOLARSHIP
Vera Davis Farnsworth was the valedictorian of the class of 1933 and graduated from Elmira College in 1938. She returned to Odessa to teach history. Mrs. Farnsworth left Odessa when her husband, a co-teacher at Odessa, was drafted into the army. Mrs. Farnsworth taught history and English in several Western New York schools and retired from Wellsville Central School. Her daughters, Nancy Downs and Kathy Farnsworth, give this $1000 scholarship in her loving memory. The winner for 2018 is: Hailey Perraut

26. SCHUYLER HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIP
The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary presents a $1000 scholarship to a deserving Schuyler County high school graduate who will be entering the health care field. The winner chosen by a committee from the hospital auxiliary is: Taylor Grover

27. MAURICE COSTA SCHOLARSHIP
In her will, Theresa Costa directed that a scholarship be set up in honor of her husband, Maurice Costa. This scholarship is awarded to a student who will continue studies in the “manual trades.” In 2018 it goes to: Heidi Casselberry

28. WATKINS GLEN ELKS LODGE 1546 SCHOLARSHIP
This $1500 scholarship is presented to a deserving senior attending college. Selection is based on academics, community service and athletics. The winner, chosen by the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge Scholarship Committee, is: Nakiaha Robinson

29. VANBUSKIRK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The VanBuskirk Memorial Scholarship is offered to a senior who is industrious, participated in high school activities, and will continue his or her education. The award was originally made possible through the generosity of the family and friends of George VanBuskirk and most recently through many donations made in memory of Roger and Dolores VanBuskirk. The winner of this year’s $500 award is: Erin Kleist

30. THE DONALD K. FORREST MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is given to honor the memory of Donald K. Forrest. It is presented to a senior who will continue his or her education in the arts or engineering. This year’s winner will study Engineering, starting at Corning Community College: Kendra Heffner

31. THE LADIES’ WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON CLUB AWARD
The Burdett Ladies Wednesday Afternoon Club was established in September 1895. It was formed as a literary society fostering culture in the area. A fund was set up to present an award to the high school senior who has worked very hard and has shown marked improvement in English Class throughout high school, and who is planning to attend college. In 2018 this $150 award goes to: Jacob Lyon

33. CHEMUNG VALLEY SOCCER ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP: Taylor Grover

32. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS AWARD
The Odessa-Montour chapter of the National Honor Society offers this $200 scholarship to a senior member who is enrolled full-time in a college, university or technical institute in the fall semester immediately following graduation. The recipient must be a member in good standing who demonstrates the characteristics of scholarship, service, leadership and character. The winner for 2018, chosen by the faculty, is: Syria Tague

Photos in text:

From the top: Alec Betts receives his diploma from O-M School Board President Rob Halpin; Daniel Minnier receives the Philip A. "Frenchie" Biever Memorial Award from Heather Lodge; Catherine Rounds receives her diploma from Halpin; Trey McCarty receives his diploma from Halpin; brother-and-sister graduates Billy and Syria Tague with sister Emerie; Kayla Dundas receives a Zonta award from O-M High School Principal Almon McCarty; Erin Kleist receives her diploma; Megan Jenkins receives her diploma.

From left: Odessa-Montour graduates Noah Angle, Beatriz Silva and Brandon Ray.

Some of the graduates' mortarboards at Odessa-Montour carried optimistic messages.

From left: Graduates Curtis Harris, Cheyenne Barrett and Colin Marsh, the Salutatorian.

Left: Hailey Hoose marches into the auditorium with her O-M classmates. Right: Graduate Kendra Heffner.

From left: O-M graduates Gabby Fazzary, Alyssa Lindsley and Jeremiah Lynch.

From left: Graduates Nakiaha Robinson, Gillian Clark, Trevor Dunn and Taylor Grover (with girlfriend and Watkins Glen senior Lexi Castellaneta).

O-M graduate John Coates receives a Lake Country Players Award from Holly Campbell.

Some of the graduates threw their caps skyward at the conclusion of the ceremony. (Max Taylor Photography)

 

© The Odessa File 2018
Charles Haeffner
P.O. Box 365
Odessa, New York 14869

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