New Lebanon Central School Scholarships & Awards 2011
Josten Honor Award – for the highest grade point average for four years with a weighted GPA of 101.90 – the Class Valedictorian Meredith Lukas
✥
Josten Honor Award – for the second highest grade point average for four years with a weighted GPA of 97.22 – the Class Salutatorian Anna Hogle
✥
Albany City Lodge #540 Knights Of Pythias Awards (Medal) Achievement Award – given to a graduating senior who has made the greatest progress in extra curricular activities and/or community endeavors – Meredith Lukas
✥
Albert Clough Scholarships – Todd Ferguson and Rachel Farrell
✥
Alice and Murray Giddings Foundation – Mike Gavrity
✥
American Legion Awards – for students who display honor, courage, scholarship, loyalty, and service:
1st Place Award (Boy) – Benjamin Cassavaugh
1st Place Award (Girl) – Merdith Lukas
Honorable Mention (Boy) – Benjamin Burgess
✥
American Legion, Louis E. Godfroy Memorial Scholarship – Lauren Sears
✥
Anna Amlaw Memorial Writing Scholarship – Benjamin Burgess
✥
Bank Of America Award – Rizwan Ali Sadiq
✥
Bee Happy Kids, Inc. Scholarship – Gary Bingham
✥
Cha-Nel Scholarship – sponsored by Berkshire Taconic Communtiy Foundation – Ashley Avallon, Ryan Lowe, Lauren Sears
✥
Charles Perkins Memorial Scholarship – presented to a member of the graduating class in the memory of Charles Perkins, A Member Of The State Police New Lebanon Barracks – Dylan Tynan
✥
Columbia County Association of Town Superintendents – Benjamin Burgess
✥
Columbia County Sheriff’s Benevolent Association Scholarship – Dylan Tynan
✥
Columbia-Green Board Of Realtors, Inc. – Hunter Metzler
✥
David Woodside Memorial Athletic Scholarship – presented to a student that has excelled in academics and athletics – Kyle McHugh
✥
Deb’s Shear Perfection Scholarship – Dylan Tynan and Allysha McCarty
✥
The Diane and Stuart Luhrmann Memorial Scholarship – Garrett White
✥
Dorothy L. Wolff – this scholarship is presented to a student pursuing early childhood or elementary education. Dorothy was a kindergarten teacher in the District for more than 20 years beginning in East Nassau in the late ‘50s prior to its consoidation with New Lebanon. She retired in 1977 – Lauren Sears
✥
Gordon B. Drowne Memorial Scholarship – given in memory of Mr. Drowne – Lauren Sears
✥
The Hancock Citizens Scholarship – Jade Berry, Benjamin Cassavaugh, Nicholas Kroboth
✥
Hudson River Bank & Trust Citizenship Awards – presented to a graduating senior who intends to pursue higher education or military service and who has demonstrated good citizenship and community involvement – Meredith Lukas and Ben Cassavaugh
✥
Joseph B. Salls Scholarship – Mr. Salls, a graduate of New Lebanon High School, taught social studies at New Lebanon for 40 years and also served as an assistant principal – Anna Hogle
✥
Joseph Mittnight Business Scholarship – Hunter Metzler
✥
Josephine and John Scheidl Scholarship – Benjamin Burgess
✥
Kinderhook Elk’s Lodge #2530 Scholarship Award – given to a student who has displayed outstanding academic achievement and service to the school – Meredith Lukas
✥
The Kristen Marie Conley Award – Megan Darcy
✥
Lebanon Valley Auto Racing Award – Juanita Eaton
✥
Lebanon Valley Protective Association Scholarship – Megan Darcy, Camille Bosselman, Benjamin Burgess, Nicholas Kroboth
✥
Lebanon Valley Rod & Gun Club Scholarships – Camille Bosselman and Ryan Lowe
✥
Lebanon Valley Woman’s Club Scholarships:
Student Scholarship – Ashley Avallon ; Citizenship Award – Felicity Hayden ; Vocational Award – Allysha McCarty
✥
Mark A. Crawley Memorial Scholarship – Allysha McCarty
✥
The Mary Ellen Donna Scholarship – Mrs. Donna was a long-time teacher and principal of Hancock School. This award is given to a graduating senior from Hancock who contributes positively to the school community – Benjamin Cassavaugh
✥
Nell Vink Memorial Scholarship – Gabby Hilts
✥
The New Lebanon Town Library Scholarship – Mike Gavrity
✥
NLCS Alumni Scholarship – recipient must be a relative of an NLCS alumnus. Emphasis is placed on students with well rounded skills and talents – Megan Darcy and Ben Cassavaugh
✥
NLCS Art Club Award – Anna Hogle and Meredith Lukas
✥
NLCS CSEA Achievement Awards – sponsored by the local unit of the Civil Service Employees Association – Billy O’Connell
✥
NLCS Music Award – Gabby Hilts
✥
NLCS Spirit Club Award – Felicity Hayden
✥
NLCS Sports Booster Club – Todd Ferguson and Lauren Sears
✥
NLCS Student Council Award – Juanita Eaton and Lauren Sears
✥
NLCS Teachers Association Scholarship – Meredith Lukas
✥
NYS Education Department Board of Regents for Academic Excellence – Nominee – Meredith Lukas
✥
NYS Office Of The State Comptroller Achievement Award (Certificate) In Recognition Of Hard Work, Dedication And Success – Meredith Lukas
✥
P.C. Infinity Scholarship – Todd Ferguson
✥
S.U.N.Y. Plattsburgh Freshman Merit Scholarship – Megan Darcy
✥
S.U.N.Y. Plattsburgh Award for Academic Excellence – Michael Gavrity
✥
Queechy Lake Club, Inc. Award – Anna Hogle
✥
Ray Hall Memorial Scholarship -given in Memory of Ray Hall. The Ray Hall Memorial Scholarship has been presented by his family to a New Lebanon graduate since he lost his life in a tragic automobile accident. Ray would have received his diploma with the Class of 2001. He loved working on cars and was participating in the automotive technology program at the Rensselaer Career Tech Center at the time of his death – Hunter Metzler
✥
Richmond Hill Homeowners Association Scholarships – Megan Darcy and Anna Hogle
✥
Riders Mills Historical Association Scholarship – Ryan Lowe
✥
Rotary Club of Northern Columbia County Awards – presented for service above self – Felicity Hayden and Lauren Sears
✥
Ruth M. Brooker, Class Of 1941 Citizenship Prize – Kyle McHugh
✥
Scholars’ Recognition Scholarship – the 20th Annual Capital Region Business and Education Partnership Scholars Recognition Program – Anna Hogle
✥
US Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Awards (Certificates) – Rachel Farrell and Todd Ferguson
✥
Walter B. and Katherine R. Howard Grant – Ryan Lowe
✥
William and Margaret Hartigan Memorial Scholarship – presented to a student who has served their community and exhibits an interest in social sciences – Todd Ferguson
✥
Zema’s Nursery, Inc. Scholarship – Anna Hogle
NLCS Class of 2011 Where Are They Going?
Ashley Avallon – MCLA
Jade Berry – HVCC
Gary Bingham, Jr. – HVCC
Camille Bosselman – HVCC
Benjamin Burgess – Bucknell
Alannah Capinello – SUNY IT or MCLA
Benjamin Cassavaugh – Word of Life -> Norwich Unv
Caitlyn Coburn – SUNY Albany
Megan Darcy – SUNY Plattsburgh
Juanita Eaton – SUNY Geneseo
Rachel Farrell – East Carolina Unv.
Todd Ferguson – SUNY Oneonta
Michael Gavrity – SUNY Plattsburgh
Felicity Hayden – Word of Life -> HVCC
Gabryelle Hilts – Southern New Hampshire Unv
Anna Hogle – Mount Ida College
Matthew Hover – Berkshire CC
Nicholas Kroboth – Berkshire CC
Ryan Lowe – Susquehana Unv.
Meredith Lukas – Fordham Unv.
Allysha McCarty – SUNY Morrisville
Kyle McHugh – RPI
Rebecca Meizinger – Employment
Hunter Metzler – Albany Ed Center or ATS Management Construction
Olashia Mitchell – Berkshire CC
William O’Connell – Berkshire CC
Nicholas Pauly – HVCC
Bryan Potter – Clinton County CC, MCLA, Green Mtn College
Alfred Quickenton III – Employment
Rizwan Ali Sadiq – College of St. Rose
Lauren Sears – St. John’s Unv.
Amanda Toomey – Clinton County CC
Dylan Tynan – HVCC
Garrett White – HVCC
New Lebanon Valedictory
by Meredith Lukas
Good morning Class of 2011. Also, good morning teachers and faculty, parents and families, friends and all who make up our little family of New Lebanon.
I was really nervous about what I might say today, thinking about expectations and what others have said before. I asked around a bit, and I found that the most common advice was brevity. Don’t put people to sleep. Well some of you may know I have trouble with “short and sweet.” In fourth grade writing class we had an assignment to write a short story, a narrative to be the length of two to three pages. I wrote eleven. The second most common advice was humor. You can be the judge of that at the end, but I am doomed to my father’s eye-rollers, groaners (Ugh dad.. .Really?) and self-depreciating clown jokes. The third most common piece of advice was to rip off the graduation speech from Twilight Eclipse. I was almost tempted…
Though I worried about this speech, I know I have people who want me to do well today and also in the future. We all do. This community saw many of us grow up from when we were in diapers and shaped us all into young adults. We had no choice; there’s no way to escape until you get a car and a license. We can get sick of it here, and I know I’m ready to start new, but we can’t deny New Lebanon gave us our starling point. We’ve had personal conversations with teachers who made us learn about ourselves. We’ve had sports glories with stands of cheering fans. We’ve had an amazing class advisor who organized, fund-raised and put up with us for six years. We’ve been encouraged, and also kicked in the butt, by parents and mentors. I know I am speaking for my class when I say thank you for all the lessons, support and love you have given us. (To class – hopefully now the parents will be willing to do our laundry when we visit home!)
Today is a time to celebrate all we’ve learned, as we move on to learn bigger and accomplish more. One thing we can take from our time here is teamwork. Recently I helped out at Kristine Greco’s Family Day Benefit, which was to help defer costs of her medical procedures. The event was huge, with food, two bands, a DJ, a dunking booth, games, face painting and hundreds of gift items up for auction or raffle. I was amazed as so many of my classmates and community members showed up, and I know the day was successful because of her family’s hard work and the community’s contributions.
This reminded me of team successes of our class and school. Our class has carried out multiple fund-raisers, like our famous pasta dinners, and often raised more than elder classes! My favorite community achievement of this year was Mr. Klahfen’s idea of a school Memorial Day Ceremony. I hope this day will continue because it gave everyone a chance to contribute using their own skills. Some sang or played in the band, some lent their history knowledge, some played the trumpet and some greeted the veterans. The day shined because of students’ talents and produced guests’ smiles and tears. I encourage my class to continue to give in whatever community you enter, with your personal gifts.
Today is exciting, but tomorrow brings changes. Like, no more free donuts from Mrs. Slattery or merciful teachers who give us extra time to finish an assignment. I think we’re all a little worried about what everyone tells us is uncertain times. We don’t know quite where we’re going or who we are, and life isn’t trivial. But I look forward to the challenges. For me, writing and public speaking is a challenge, but I know practicing now will eventually make me more relaxed. So put yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable. They can bring self confidence, and you can’t lose anything from practice.
……. How to conclude?
New Lebanon Salutatory
by Anna Hogle
This is the end of an era for us graduates. We are no longer high school students; we have transcended.
And I think I can speak for all of us when I say – finally. After a certain amount of time in one place for so long, and with the same 30 kids since childhood, we can all agree that the conclusion is a long time coming. But our treacherous and perilous journey through our teenage years has concluded, and what a journey it has been.
I can remember everyone of us six years ago when we first entered New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School as seventh-graders, with our smug smiles and peacock attitudes. We thought we were pretty cool walking unsupervised through the halls between classes and having lockers of our own to store our various books and pictures of Orlando Bloom. The fantasy of all those teen movies were now a reality for us, drama included. But it’s never what you hype it up to be as a mere pre-teen.
You learn things about yourself you think will last, and things about the world that you truly believe. But in our limited vision, we saw few realities and many stereotypes. How can you blame us? We were sheltered with our parents’ wings, and we peeked views of the world between their feathers, eager to be a part of what we saw. And yet we have so much more to learn about ourselves and the world in which we are stepping into as newly fledged adults.
Although we shed tears now, and in our chests we feel the ache of sadness, this is a time to be proud and strut those peacock attitudes we had in the halls of seventh grade. We will need it in our new lives.
Some of us are going to college and will put off full responsibility of adulthood for a few more years. The others are taking the leap as soon as they strip off the black or white gown they donned today. Either way, we are writing new chapters. The most clichéd thing I can think of is when the Phoenix is reborn in the flames and ashes of its old life, like in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” I hate clichés. They are overused and worn out.
So fellow Phoenixes, spread your wings and fly!
