2017

Clair-Djinie Bazar is a 2017 graduate of Hudson High School. She is the daughter of Eddy and Clairette Bazar. In addition to excelling academically and finishing in the top 10% of her graduating class, Clair was involved many extracurricular activities during high school. These include involvement in Student Council, National Honor Society, the Yearbook Committee, Scrub Club, SADD, Poetry Club, the high school choir and band, and volleyball. She was a Writing Center Assistant, and was involved in the Underground Railroad Project. Her community service included participation in the Rock Apostolic Choir, Hudson High Multicultural Festival; and various fundraising activities. She received the PBIS Award every year, the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony Award, University at Albany Multicultural Award, the Micha 6:8 Student Award and Rotary Student of the Month. Clair worked at the YES Program Day Care Center and Operation Unite Educational and Cultural Art Center. She was involved in the Dream to Achieve Summer Program in 2015, and attended the Social Justice Leadership Academy in 2016. Clair plans to major in Biochemistry at Siena College, and hopes to attend medical school.
Amara Grace Engel, daughter of Steven and Karen Engel, is a 2017 graduate of Chatham High School. Amara's passion for the arts is clear in her extracurricular involvements-she acted in the Fall Festival of Shakespeare and Company since her freshman year and Chatham's high school musicals since 2014. She is a National Art Honor Society and Photography Club member. A talented photographer, she was the PS21 High School Photography Intern in 2016, exhibiting her selected photographs in a local exhibit. Amara participated in a variety of other school based and volunteer activities, including Community Service Club, Student Government, and Varsity Tennis and Track. She provided volunteer instruction in American Sign Language to 6th grade students in the Hudson City School District for several years, and used ASL expertise in various settings to provide interpretation for individuals with hearing loss. Amara plans to study Art and History at Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
David Fix, son of David and Mary Ann Fix, was the Valedictorian for the Class of 2017 at Germantown High School. David excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities over the past four years. He was a member of the Varsity Baseball team, Captain of Varsity Volleyball, and Captain of Varsity Soccer. He was a member and served as President of the National Honor Society. He was a musician with the Jazz and Concert Bands for each of his high school years, and participated in Envirothon for three years. David was involved in the community as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Miles for Mac, peer tutoring, and local food pantries. His achievements led to him being chosen for the Clarkson University Leadership and Achievement Award, the Elmira College Key Award, and the Marist Greystone Tech Award. David was MVP for Varsity Volleyball and received the Coach's Award for Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Soccer. David plans to study Economics and Mathematics at Bowdoin College.
Emily Jo Montague is a 2017 graduate of Taconic Hills High School. She is the daughter of Sarah and Howard Montague of Philmont, NY. Emily Jo's interests include the arts, entertainment, creative writing, and photography. She was Student Council President in her senior year. Her arts interest had her involved with the Shakespeare Festival, School Drama Club, Concert Band and All-County Band. She received the George Eastman Young Leaders Award and the Clarkson University Leadership Award; and was on the High Honor Roll for four years. She received numerous academic achievement certificates in various subjects. Her community service includes volunteer work at the Philmont Public Library and Outreach Services to Pine Haven Nursing Home with the Martindale Community Gospel Church. Emily was a clarinetist with the THCS Concert Band and with the Ghent Band. She was honored to be a guest member in the US Airforce Concert Band. She plans to attend Columbia-Greene Community College while deciding on her career path.
Kristian Tampasis is a 2017 graduate of Hudson High School. He is the son of Angie and Kristian Tampasis of Hudson. He ranked third in his class. Kristian participated in a wide variety of activities at HHS; he was a member of the HS Band and Jazz Band, and served as the band treasurer. He played the clarinet since second grade and performed with the All County Band as 1st Chair Clarinet. He was member of Tri-M, an honor society for music students, and a member of the National Honor Society. He was active in the Poetry Club and the Mock Trial program; and was part of the Prison Public Memorial Project, a writing program centered on the history of a NYS girls' detention center in Hudson. Kristian also worked at the Martin Van Buren Historic Site as a Youth Ambassador; and volunteered at local food pantries. He received the RPI Medalist Award, which is given each year to outstanding students in mathematics and science and who demonstrate potential for success in a challenging academic setting. Kristian plans to study Biology at SUNY New Paltz, with a goal to work in the field of forensics.
Ingrid Kildiss is a 2017 graduate of Hudson High School. She is the daughter of Algars Kildiss and Luisa Sabin-Kildiss. Ingrid was involved in several extracurricular activities in addition to her dedication to her academic studies. Her involvement in the community included Bound by Books, where she spent time weekly for the last five years at a local radio station in Hudson, on air, discussing books. She was involved in the Hudson Public Prison Memory Project, served as an assistant at the Hudson High School Writing Center, Poetry Club, and participated in the Underground Railroad/Women's Suffrage Project. She was also involved in SADD, Poetics of Forgiveness Program, Teen Battle of the Books, and the Perfect Ten After School Program, a program aimed at helping girls obtain a good future. Ingrid was a member of the HHS Cross Country and Varsity Track teams and participated in mixed martial arts and ju jitsu for the last two years. She worked at the Liz Feldman Child Care Center, Latvian Lutheran Church Camp, and Google Help Desk at Hudson High School. Notably, Ingrid participated in an internship called 'School Life Media', involving putting together a newspaper for the last two years with a local journalist. Ingrid intends to major in Journalism at SUNY Purchase.
Meredith Richards is a 2017 graduate of Ichabod Crane High School. She is the daughter of Eric and Sara Richards of Kinderhook. Meredith excelled in academic, leadership, extracurricular, and community service involvement during her high school years. She was selected for the New Visions Visual and Performing Arts program as a senior, and regularly participated in her church community in a variety of programs and activities. She was member of the National Honor Society, a Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador, and placed first at the school level for Voice of Democracy essay contest. She mentored incoming Ichabod Crane freshmen during her Junior and Senior years. She participated in Student Council throughout high school, and served as Vice-President and Secretary of the Student Council, as well as Class President. In that role, she led her class in a variety of activities including the Junior Prom and school spirit weeks; and was the liaison to the school administration and faculty. Meredith was a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, assisted in a local build for Habitat for Humanity, and volunteered for a variety of other community service projects. Meredith plans to major in Marketing and Journalism at Utah State University.
John Wallace is a 2016 graduate of New Lebanon High School. He is the son of Narcisa Wallace and Lou Murray. Over the course of High School at Shaker High and then New Lebanon John participated in numerous activities and earned many academic honors. He was a member of the National Honor Society, and recipient of the Rensselaer Medal, Bausch & Lomb Science Award, and Elmira College Key Award. His community awards include the DAR and New Lebanon HS Good Citizen Awards, the Saint Michael's and Williams College Book Awards, and the University at Albany Multicultural High School Achievement Award. During his high school years, he participated in Student Government, Environmental Club, Speech & Debate team, and Spirit and Food Clubs. He participated in Senior Choir, the Society of Literature; and was a member of the Varsity Soccer Club and the Varsity Track & Field programs. He has volunteered at the local day care program and has tutored middle and high school students in a variety of subjects throughout his high school years, and worked regularly at a local restaurant for the past two years. John plans to major in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.