Write a commentThe Oswego High School Top 100 students were honored for the 25th consecutive year.
For a quarter of a century the Oswego Rotary Club has presented recognition to the Oswego High School academic elite.
Nearly 400 people packed the Oswego High School Dining Hall for the annual “Top 100” dinner. This year, Oswego Rotary, PathFinder Bank, NBT Bank, and the Oswego City School District hosted the event with the Oswego City School District Food Service Department supplying a Italian themed extravaganza.
The ceremony became a reality in Oswego due to the efforts of Rotarian and former Oswego City School District administrator Ed Caraccioli. While on a visit to another club he was present for a very special event which brought together the top students from that district.
He returned to Oswego and presented the concept to the local Rotarians. They not only adopted it, but have continued to support it and host the students at the annual event.
Rotary President Sue Witmer welcomed and congratulated the members of the Top 100, families, administrators, school board members and Rotarians.
Superintendent of Schools Benjamin Halsey congratulated the students on the “outstanding academic achievements.”
“We do not spend enough time talking about outstanding academic achievements," Halsey said. "You are talented and hardworking students who have excelled through your hard work and effort.”
Board of Education President Kathleen Allen noted that is a “privilege to serve on the board and to celebrate the positive.” She encouraged the students to continue their efforts in the classroom as well as in the community and school. Allen talked about students being thoughtful, kind and generous which has a tremendous positive impact on their classmates.
As a proud Oswego High School Principal Brian Hartwell announced each individual member the “Top 25” each student received a recognition certificate from Superintendent of Schools Benjamin Halsey, Executive High School Principal Brian Hartwell and Oswego City School District Board of Education President Kathleen Allen presented and recognized the students.
Prior to announcing the Top 100, Hartwell said, “I am proud of all of you and you all have gone the extra mile.” He cited that the students simply weren’t outstanding in academics, but were involved in art, music, sports, technology as well as serving the community through volunteer endeavors.
Several members of the “Class of 2014” were in attendance for their fourth consecutive year. All are bound to continue their education at campuses throughout the nation. The students who were in attendance each of their years included OHS valedictorian Nina Alcasid (SUNY Stony Brook) and salutatorian Tory Welsch (SUNY Geneseo) as well as Erica Atkins (St. John Fisher), Elizabeth Baker (D’Youville College), Katelyn Clary (Rochester Institute of Technology), Madison Collins (Clarkson University), Kerrigan Cummins (St. Bonaventure University), Mallory Gordon (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Cassandra Hondro (University of Buffalo), Courtney Johnson (Syracuse University), Bo Yang Li (University of Waterloo), Shannon McIntosh (Rochester Institute of Technology), Allison Moshier (Marist College), Zachary Salvador (SUNY Oswego) and Mitchell Schrader (Ithaca College),
Other seniors recognized for their accomplishments included Abigail Allen (SUNY Oswego), Kyle Collins (Villanova University), Samantha Davis (Elim Bible Institute), Holly Gilbert (SUNY Geneseo), Sarah Hoefer (SUNY Brockport), Emily Hurlbutt (SUNY Geneseo), Alexander Kouthoofd (SUNY Oswego), Elizabeth Scott (SUNY Oswego), Garrett Skinner (Penn State University) and Meggie Zhang (Albany School of Pharmacy).
Eleventh graders recognized at this year’s dinner included Sean Benjamin, Molly Brown, Joshua Bucher, Alaina Celeste, Nora Culeton, Erin Delaney, Zachary Gillard, Taylor Hamer, Allie Henderson, Shea Hewitt, Katherine Knopp, Alec Kunzwiler, Brianah Lane, Mayraliz Lopez, Reilly Patrick, Rachael Purtell, Connor Sheffield, Brenna Sherman, Thomas Simmonds, Allison Smith, Zachary Smolinski, Kayla Volkomer, Kara Weiss, Nikolas Whiteside and Vanessa Wiltsie.
The “Top 25” from the sophomore class included Brynn Adner, Ana Alcasid, Victoria Armet, Jenna Ballard, Katie Bradshaw, Trevor Bradshaw, Ayla Busch, Michaela Callen, Amber Cavellier, Clare Donovan, Brianna Fernandez, Mark Forger, Jacob Gerber, Alexander Haessig, Evan James, John Khamis, Sydnie LeRoy, Roman Danilo Madlangbayan, Natasha Mezza, Kyra O’Gorman, Samuel Oleyourryk, Chase Pelton, Claire Richardson, Kelly Skinner and Christopher VanGorder.
The ninth graders invited to the dinner included Nathaniel Ahart, Danica Aquitania, Michael Beckwith Jr., Derek Caramella, Aaric Celeste, Benjamin Dafoe, Alexander Davies, John DeLapp, Dominick Donabella, Patrick Dowdle, Emma Easter, Celia Fitzgerald, Lisa Kanbur, Rachel Leotta, Tianna Moxley, Abigail Mulkerin, Madison Plyler, Emily Purce, Alison Rodgers, Jordan Runner, Brian Shaw, Sarah Smolinski, Hannah Strzelinski, Jordan Tryon and Nathan Tsutsumishita.
