By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
ALLEGANY — Seventy-three Allegany-Limestone High School seniors graduated Saturday afternoon at the school’s 31st Commencement in the school auditorium.
Members of the senior class chorus sang the Portville Alma Mater.
Middle-High School Principal Joseph Steger greeted those in attendance. Dr. Diana Maguire, president of the Allegany-Limestone Board of Education, presented medals to the Valedictorian, Alexis Wojewoda-Ko and Salutatorian Julia DeRose.
In her Welcoming Remarks, Salutatorian Julia DeRose thanked classmates, staff, family and friends for their support. “Thank you for all you have done for me and taught me to get to this moment.”
“Dad, thank you for teaching me the value of leadership, dedication, and hard work. You have always been a role model,” DeRose said. “Mom, thank you for your unconditional love and unwavering support. You have dedicated so much of your time to helping me and shaping me into the person I am today, so thank you.”
DeRose said, “As I look over to my classmates, I can confidently say that none of us made it to this moment alone. Behind every graduate sitting here today are people who have encouraged us and challenged us. It could be parents, friends, teachers, coaches, or a sibling… someone who believed in us when we needed it most. We are all starting a new journey after we walk out of here today. Whether it’s going to college, heading into the workforce, or something different, we’re all starting over, which can be very intimidating.”
DeRose noted, “It’s now up to us to make IT happen, whatever IT is for each one of us. We can’t sit on the sidelines of our own lives… there won’t be an invitation waiting for us to participate. It’s up to us now. That doesn’t mean we’re moving on from the support system we’ve always had … we’re not losing these people, rather we’re taking the lessons they taught us and turning them into the foundation we will build the rest of our lives on, and what we’ve created here is part of that foundation. We will carry the relationships and memories we’ve made at ALCS throughout our entire lives. We might be leaving AlleganyLimestone, but Allegany-Limestone isn’t leaving us.”
DeRose concluded: “As scary as it may seem now, it’s our time to take the tools we’ve been given and make this life our own. As Taylor Swift once said “The scary news is, you’re on your own now. But the cool news is, you’re on your own now. Thank you and go Gators.”
In her Farewell Address, Valedictorian Alexis Wojewoda-Ko thanked family and friends for attending. “Your presence makes this day incredibly special for all of us on this stage. So thank you for being here,” she said.
Wojewoda-Ko kept a four-year-old promise to herself and spoke some of her Valedictory Speech in Spanish. She got the idea from her eighth-grade Spanish teacher, Mrs. Finn, who mentioned a past valedictorian had done that. “I promised myself if I got the opportunity, that I would do the same. I promise it won’t be too long.”
She said,”Por eso, quiero expresar mi apreciación para mis maestros, mis amigos, y mi familia. A mis maestros, no puedo decir cada clase fue mi favorito, pero puedo decir cada persona me enseñó lecciones importantes sobre la vida. Lecciones como perfección no es necesario o las cosas que hacen una buena persona. La lección más grande es que la vida no es justa. Es cómo manejamos esas injusticias que determina quiénes somos. Ahora, para mis amigos y mi familia. Su amor incondicional me ha apoyado por estes años. Sin estas personas, no estaría donde estoy hoy. Gracias por todo.”
Wojewoda-Ko also congratulated her classmates and fellow graduates. “Congratulations to you all. This is a very big honor,” she said.
Now that the day of graduation from Portville High School has arrived, Wojewoda-Ko said she could relax.
“Admittedly, it took a significant amount of time to get here. I don’t know if this is true for everyone, but I know I doubted its arrival constantly. Now that we’re here, I feel like I can finally breathe. Relax. Reflect.”
She said, “Though my high school experience presented a plethora of difficulties, those difficulties helped shape who I am today and taught me valuable lessons I’ll carry forward. Lessons that taught me about the world, life, and obstacles we’ll inevitably face and must overcome in order to flourish. There are two important lessons I would like to share with you all.”
“The first, impermanence. “This too shall pass” is a phrase that has been uttered to me countless times throughout school and understandably so. Adolescence is a formative time for individuals. We’re faced with the intricate navigation of life, relationships, self-discovery, while also trying to keep up with our educational and extracurricular activities. It can feel like our biggest storms; our worst moments may never end. That those situations will last for an eternity.
“But that’s simply not true. Our darkest moments serve as a test to our tenacity and strengthen our character. So, I want this to be a reminder that life is impermanent. That the adversities we face are temporary, and we’ll never truly be down forever. However, that inevitably means our best moments aren’t permanent either.”
The second lesson Wojewoda-Ko shared was precious moments. “The best moments in life are so precious because they don’t last forever. Not only do we need to cherish the joyousness of life, but we also need to be present. My mom always tells me to “be where my feet are.” Don’t live in the worries of the past or the future when you can focus on the now. Live your life to the fullest so that everything you do is fulfilling. However, that also means you need to take risks. Because you’ll never grow if you don’t take the opportunity to do so,” she said.
“These two lessons have been essential in keeping me grounded. I’m reminded that we’re all experiencing and living life for the first time. So don’t waste your life worrying. Don’t let that embarrassing moment from last Thursday keep you up at night or the perceptions of others stop you from living your life,” Wojewoda-Ko said.
“Persevere through the rough times and cherish those great moments. Again, thank you so much for being here today. It’s incredibly appreciated. Congratulations to everybody, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.”
Diplomas were awarded by school counselor Ashley Malpiedi, Superintendent Anthony Giannicchi, Steger, Middle-High School Assistant Kevin Straub and members of the Board of Education.
The Class of 2026
Cayla Jade Ackley, Aidan Michael Adams, Carley Alyce Barrey, Natalie Nicole Bellamy, Sierra Dee Bish, Christina Michelle Booker, Jacob Patrick Boser, George Raymond Brairton, Isaac Samuel Brauer, Mathew M. Burnett, Sophie Mae Campbell, Yong Cao, Logan Dempsey, Julia Riordan DeRose.
Jordan Distrola Isaac, Lee Englund, Mariah Rae Evans, Shaila Rose Feneran, Serena Lynn Frederick, Madison R. Gergel, Joseph Alan Gilray, Makenzie Brooke Goldsmith, Arthur J. Goudie Josslyn, Rose Hammond, Ronin Allen Wayne Haseley, Mickey Quinn Hastings, Noah Daniel Hatch, Landon A. Hayes.
Courtney J. Henderson, Madison Grace Honec, Benjamin Thomas Johnson, Kaydence W. Jones, Madison Renee Kahm, Catherine Margaret Karl, Noah Harding Kiel, Audrey Elisabeth LeBlanc, Maya Paige Lyle-Hess, Collin Thomas Manning, Natila Raelee Maull, Amelia Anne McCarthy, Anaya Etoy Mickens.
Carter Misener, Loren Ashley Moshier, Sienna Rose Nagel, Emmaleigh C. Nothem-Orcutt, Molly Renee Olkosky, Emerson Ortego, Gian Clarence Parry, Brayden Gregory Perry, Connor Patrick Phetteplace, Liera Nicole Porter, Madelyn Dianne Price-Costa, Adrianna Marie Prince, Glen P. Quigley.
Kaleb James Reed, Mackenzie Blake Rhodes, Dylan Thomas Schultz, Ashley Michelle Shay, Cadence Leah Shoup, Cameryn Noel Slevinski, Brian Michael Sprague, Alaina Lee Stout, Angel Elizabeth Stromecki.
John C. Thomas, Bryce Thornton, Kailey Judith Truman,
Brittnee Marie Wagner, Brayden M. Walton, Calym E. Weatherley, Cyler A. Weatherley, Bethany Judith Wilcox,
Cooper Alan Wilczewski, Alexis Rose Wojewoda-Ko.
Scholarships and Awards
Nicolas G. Pendl Memorial Scholarship: Serena Frederick, Madison Honeck, Loren Moshier.
NYS Attorney General Triple “C” Award: Emmaleigh Nothem-Orcutt, Bethany Wilcox.
NYS Award for Academic Excellence: Catherine Karl, Kaleb Reed, Alexis Wojewoda-Ko.
NYS Comptroller Student Achievement Award: Serena Frederick.
The Olean Lions Club Bert Dohl Memorial Scholarship: Madison Honeck, Loren Moshier.
Ora and Bernard Gavin Scholarship: Madelyn Price-Costa Patricia McCarthy Scholarship: Amelia McCarthy.
Patty Putt Service Award: Julia DeRose, George Brairton Red Martiny Memorial Scholarship: Madison Honeck, Cooper Wilczewski.
The Reva “Ma” DeArmitt Scholarship: Loren Moshier
Ryan Aderman Memorial Scholarship: Amelia McCarthy, Madison Honeck.
Sara Mollica Memorial Scholarship: Arthur Goudie Shaun. Costa Memorial Scholarship: Loren Moshier.
Sons and Daughters of Cutco Scholarship: Carley Barrey, Catherine Karl
Tommy Moran Memorial Scholarship: Sierra Bish.
Thomas W. Conklin Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Mackenzie Rhodes.
Trooper Robert “Moose” Menter Scholarship: Amelia McCarthy, Noah Hatch.
WNY R-AHED Health Career Scholarship: Madison Honeck.
William S. Bielecki Celebration Scholarship: Madison Honeck.
J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship: Sierra Bish, Madison Honeck, Loren Moshier.
James Zwald Memorial Spanish Language Award: Alexis Wojewoda-Ko.
Jamestown Community College Student of the Year: Julia DeRose.
Joe Duplechain Memorial Scholarship: Madelyn Price-Costa.
John J. Murphy Scholarship: Madison Honeck.
Jonathon Teuscher Award: Madison Honeck.
Joseph and Cecily Higgins Scholarship: Mariah Evans. Joseph D. Thropp Memorial Award: Arthur Goudie.
Keith Havers Memorial Award: Madison Honeck, John Thomas.
Kinley Contractors Scholarship: Brayden Perry.
Kothari Family Fund Healthcare Scholarship: Isaac Brauer.
Limestone Union Free Alumni Scholarship: Serena Frederick.
The Leslie Larson Scholarship (Olean Theater Workshop): Christina Booker.
Long/Vossler Family Scholarship: Audrey LeBlanc.
Louis Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship: Serena Frederick, Cadence Shoup.
Michele Foss Bartholomew Scholarship: Madison Honeck, Loren Moshier.
Mohammed and Sakeena Iqbal Healthcare Award: Madison Kahm.
National Honor Society – Distinguished Service Award: Madison Honeck.
National Honor Society – Outstanding Honor Society Members: Julia DeRose, Madison Kahm, Madelyn Price-Costa.
National Honor Society – Scholastic Excellence Award: George Brairton.
Chautauqua Cattaraugus County Board of Realtors Scholarship Fund: Julia DeRose.
Chipmonk Community Hall Scholarship: Madelyn Price-Costa, Kailey Truman.
Christine Conner Memorial Scholarship: Sierra Bish, Loren Moshier.
Class of 1972 Academic Award in Memory of Thomas Feneran: Christina Booker, Mickey Hastings.
Class of 1981 Scholarship: Amelia McCarthy.
Clem and Ida Martiny Scholarship: Sienna Nagel.
Coaches Merit Award: Landon Hayes, Sienna Nagel.
Colt 45 Strong Scholarship: Madison Honeck.
Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship: Cooper Wilczewski.
Dennis Jones and Wayne Johnston Memorial Dice Run: Madison Honeck.
Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship: Isaac Brauer, Molly Olkosky, Ashley Shay Duggan and Duggan Scholarship: Kaleb Reed, Serena Frederick.
Dustin Jae Fleming Memorial Award for Creative Arts: Christina Booker.
Francis D. Pezzimenti Memorial Scholarship: Loren Moshier, Madison Honeck, Cooper Wilczewski.
Frank A. Martin 111 Memorial Scholarship: Julia DeRose, Serena Frederick, Madison Honeck, Madelyn Price-Costa. Frederick G. Grace Memorial Scholarship Award: Julia DeRose.
Heart and Hustle Award: Kailey Truman, Madison Kahm.
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