2013

Nicholas Ganey, son of Richard and Jennifer Ganey of Hudson, is a 2013 graduate of Hudson High School. During his years at Hudson High School, his academic standing was in the top 5% of his class. He was involved in many extracurricular and community service activities during his high school years, evident from the following activities that represent only some of his accomplishments and interests. He was an active member of the National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Hudson Pride Foundation, and SADD. He is the founder and past-president of the Hudson High Gay-Straight Alliance. Nicholas attended American Legion Boys' State in 2012 and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference in 2011. Nicholas was involved with music and arts as well, including All-County Choir, All-County Jazz Ensemble, and several Hudson High School musicals and Upstage Productions Inc. shows. He was honored as an AP Scholar and as a member of the 2011 NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Track team. His volunteer and community service activities include fundraising for various organizations and Hurricane Irene Cleanup in Windham, NY. Nicholas plans to pursue an undergraduate education in biology at Boston University, with the goal of completing medical school.

Joseph T. Kaiser, son of Joseph P. and Janet Kaiser of Valatie, is a 2013 graduate of Ichabod Crane High School. In his senior year, Joseph was a student in the Questar III New Visions STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math Program) offered through BOCES. The STEM program combines rigorous academics with practical, real-world experiences. Joseph is a member of the National Honor Society. He received the Clarkson School Scholar/Leadership Award, the WPI University Award for academic achievement, and the AP Scholar Award as a junior. Joseph was a member of the varsity soccer team at ICC during his senior year. A valued member of the varsity indoor track and outdoor track teams, he served as captain for both teams for several years. He was a Scholar-Athlete for all four of his high school years. The breadth of his interests is evident from his membership in several ICC clubs, including the French Club, the Ski Club and the Video Game Design Club. Joseph volunteered with several community organizations including the Valatie Community Theatre, Bethany House Day Shelter, Project Equinox, and the Regional Food Bank. Joseph also worked as a cook, server and cashier at the Northern Columbia Little League concession stands. He is active as a parishioner, volunteer, and peer minister at St. John the Baptist Church. Joseph plans to continue with his engineering studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.

Diego Martinez is a 2013 graduate of Ichabod Crane High School. He also completed the Automotive Technology Program at Questar III. He is the son of Guadalupe and Leticia Martinez of Ghent, NY, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Diego was educated as an English Language Development (ELD) student at ICC. He is fluent and literate in English and Spanish. His bilingual skills allowed Diego to be a role model to younger ESD students. He provided academic support, translation, and tutoring in the school setting. He also served as a translator to facilitate interactions for adults in his community with their doctors, their children's teachers, and other members of the community. For almost ten years, Diego was actively involved as an employee and volunteer at Love Apple Farm in Ghent, where his parents are long time employees. He is an active parishioner and serves as an usher at Saint Joseph's Church in Stuyvesant, NY. Diego demonstrated above average achievement in his studies. He was on the Honor Roll at Questar III, and he was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2012. Diego published several stories in Inheritance, a joint publication of the ESD and Art departments at ICC. He was a valued member of the ICC varsity soccer team and the Bethlehem Premier U18 soccer team. Diego plans to attend the Automotive Technologies Program at Hudson Valley Community College.

Aaron Stall, son of Andrew and Stacy Stall of Canaan, is a 2013 graduate of New Lebanon High School, where his academic standing is in the top 10% of his class. Aaron accumulated many honors for his accomplishments and been involved in a variety of activities during his high school years. His academic and leadership achievements are evident from his membership in the National Honor Society, his selection for the HOBY Leadership Conference, and nominations to a variety of other leadership programs. His involvement in the varsity soccer and varsity track and field teams led to several Coach's awards and two years on the CHVL All-Star Soccer team. Aaron qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships for the last three years in running / track events, and was a member of both the United States Ski & Snowboard Association and Jiminy Peak Alpine Ski Race Team. He was a member of the senior and jazz bands as a saxophone player throughout his high school career. He served as class president for the last two years. His volunteer work includes participation as a LVPA volunteer firefighter, and fundraising for several charities through Relay for Life and in numerous 5K runs. Aaron plans to pursue an undergraduate education in engineering at Clarkson University this fall.

Caitlin Gilligan, daughter of Allen and Karen Gilligan of East Chatham, is Valedictorian of the Class of 2013 at Chatham High School, where she excelled as a student and community leader. While earning exceptional grades in a demanding academic schedule, Caitlin actively participated in the high school band, Model Congress and Model United Nations. She was recently named a New York State Finalist in the Wendy's High School Heisman competition. Caitlin was chosen to represent Chatham High School in the HOBY Leadership Summit in 2010 and selected for the National Honor Society in 2012. Notably, she held the office of class treasurer for all four years of high school. Having been involved in 4H for ten years, Caitlin cites her 4H experience as instrumental in her growth as an individual and as an outlet that gave her the opportunity to meet inspirational people. She has participated in Relay for Life since 2002 and served on Sean's Run Committee since 2011. An active participant in the Chatham High School varsity soccer, basketball and softball teams, she was an assistant coach in the Chatham Little League Youth Softball Program and the Crellin Morris Youth Basketball League. Caitlin plans to study political science at Colgate University in the fall.

Anastasia Leto, daughter of Joseph and Vanessa Leto of Elizaville, ranks second in the Class of 2013 at Germantown High School. Teachers describe Anastasia as a focused, spirited, involved student who demonstrated outstanding academic effort. She showed impressive leadership qualities and organizational skills as president of the senior class, secretary of National Honor Society, and vice president of the Germantown High School Drama Club. A talented musician and vocalist, Anastasia was invaluable to the drama club as an actor, choreographer and organizer of all fund raising activities with her fellow officers. She performed in a variety of school musical and dramatic productions, All County Chorus, All County Vocal Jazz and All County Band. In her junior and senior years, she was selected for NYSSMA Vocal Area All State. In 2012, she was awarded the Director's Prize at the Columbia Greene Community College Juried Art Show. Anastasia was a volunteer with the Northern Dutchess Hospital Mothers' Club and the Livingston Emergency Shelter. She was employed at Brook 'n' Wood Family Campground. Anastasia plans to attend The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.

Alison Schermerhorn is the Salutatorian of the 2013 graduating class at Taconic Hills. She is the daughter of Glenn and Cynthia Schermerhorn of Copake, NY. Her numerous academic achievements are reflected in awards for excellence in a variety of subjects, including Spanish, A.P. Language and Composition, Photography, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing. She was a member of the National Honor Society for two years, and served as the sports editor and photography editor for the TH yearbook for three years. Alison participated in the West Point Summer Leadership Seminar in 2012, and attended the Model UN Conference for two years. She was class president for the last three years. Alison was employed part time as an assistant tennis instructor, and as a summer employee at a local snack bar. She volunteered in church activities. She participated on the Taconic Hills soccer, tennis and basketball teams throughout her high school career, and was a member of the Albany Rowing Center over the last year. She plans to study marketing and journalism in the Honors Program at Rochester Institute of Technology, and is committed to play for the women's RIT Tigers Basketball team.

Colleen Tretheway, daughter of Earl and Catherine Tretheway of Valatie, is a 2013 graduate of Ichabod Crane High School. Colleen is ranked 10th in her class academically, and is an AP Scholar. She completed a challenging schedule of Honors and Advance Placement courses at ICC. Colleen participated in junior varsity and varsity soccer for several years. She was a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams throughout high school, and ran with the varsity cross-country team for two years. Colleen was named Most Valuable Player for indoor track and cross-country in 2011. She was a member of several bands at Ichabod Crane, including Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band, and she performed with in the All County Band and at NYSSMA. Colleen is secretary of the National Honor Society at ICHS. She was voted "Most Likely to Become President" by her class. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, the Ichabod Crane Booster Club Track Camp, and boxed food for the Marion Stegman Fund. Colleen plans to attend Boston University to study business.

Congratulations!