By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — One hundred sixteen Olean High School seniors graduated Saturday in a sea of red robes and mortar boards at the 142nd annual Commencement in the high school auditorium.
Heartly Phillips, the president of Student Affairs, and Rose Scordo, event creation coordination specialist, served as Mistresses of Ceremonies. Phillips led fellow graduates in a Husky cheer first heard at last year’s commencement and suggested it become a tradition.
In welcoming remarks, David Ruszkowski, told graduates “It’s our time to take the next step.”
Salutatorian Riti Anumalasetty urged the class to “look at your classmates, the people around you. They are the ones who you played kickball with at recess, sat beside on the bus. As a class, we went through a lot together during virtual classes” during Covid. “After that, we still had to learn social distancing after two years.”
Anumalasetty told her classmates, “The key is to keep moving forward step by step and never give up or become discouraged.”
Valedictorian Aila M. Shoup spoke about the pressure she and other classmates are under.
“Like many of my classmates, I have a rough plan and things I would like to accomplish. Right now there’s a lot of pressure to have everything planned out because of enrollment in college or employment opportunities. This is an important time where we kickstart our futures.
“But know that you don’t have to have it all figured out. Whether you go into college, the military or the workforce, there’s still time to experiment.”
Board of Education President Julio Fuentes told the graduates they faced “endless possibilities and endless opportunity and discoveries that haven’t been made yet. Find something you love, that you are passionate about and find a way to do it.”
High School Principal Jeff Andreano read the list of scholarships and awards received by the graduates.
“There were lots of difficulties, but guess what? You made it,”
District Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris told the graduates. “Appreciate your friendships that have withstood the test of time,” she added.
“As Huskies,” Morris said, “you are equipped with the knowledge and skills” to embrace the possibilities. “Be caring, be kind and be compassionate.”
THE 2024 GRADUATES ARE:
Norra J. Anastasia, Riti Anumalasetty, Kashtian J. App, Shamus C. Baer, Kyra J. Balcerzak, Sophie L. Bartman, Adonijah A. Benedict, Lexi K. Benjamin, Justus M. Bentley, Matthew S. Blazejewski, Taylor M. Blue, Makenna A. Britt, Kai A. Bundgaard, Austin S. Burdick, Brennen M. Burroughs, Zackary M. Button,
Tyler B. Camp, Amy L. Campbell, Caroline L. Carter, Nevaeh A.L. Carter, Sera J. Casey, Rubinder K. Chahal, Ethan Chen, Simon J. Clark, Donte A. Clemons, Marcus E. Cleveland, Preston P. Conner, Xavier E. Cook, Hailey R. Covert, Aubrey R. Cowles, Tyler M. Cross, William T. Crosson, Trevor J. Crouch.
Draven E. Cummings, Katrina A. DeGroff, Emma E. Dodge, Cameron L. Duncan, Keegan D. Evans, Sayedie-Skye E. Fields, Bryce C. Franklin, Andre L. Fratercangelo, Marieanna Germain, Emily C. Gibbons, Ryan A.S. Goodsell, Jayna S. Griffin, Lydia K. Hammer, Danny J. H. Havers, Grace L. Haynes, Maddison E. Hitchcock.
Ryan S. Isenberg, Andreus E. Jackson, Gaaron M. Jones, Nicholas C. Jones, Sarah L. Jordan, Cassidy J. Katcher, Maya Kendrick, Lilli A. Khettry, Noah J. Kinnaird, Julianne I. Lanzieri, Dominic A. Lewis, Alexander C. Linderman, Elliott J. Lothridge, Jonathan C. Lynch, Makayla J. Magro, Dawson W. Mallery, DaShon J. Martin, Alexandra M. McFall.
Autumn V. Milks, Jalethyn J. Miller, Gabreall P. Milligan, Alexander T. Misenheimer, Marah E. Morehouse, Isaac G. Moses, Dwayne T. Motley, Layla L.L. Nelson, Catherine M. Oliphant, Emma E.R. Oliphant, Ryan S. Osborne, Jacob A. Ours, Camden E. Pancio, Ethan I. Peace, Adelina M. Peer, Chase V. Pellett.
Kollin D. Pellett, Lucas S. Peterson-Volz, Ethan M. Pfeffer, Heartly A. Phipps, Jon Q. Przybyla, Alexandria N. Puccinelli, Avianna R. Rauber, Payton M. Reynolds, Brysen N. Riehle, Grace A. Ring, Oliver T. Robbins-Martinelli, Helaina G. Rucinski, David J. Ruszkowski, Faith A. Schreiber, Hayden R. Schwindler, Rose M. Scordo.
Amyra R. Shaffer, Robert D. Shorter, Aila M. Shoup, Joshua A. Sisson Ava B. Smith, Kennlee E.R. Spears, Karsten L. Stadtler, Allie D. Stayer. Mackenna J. Tobola, Lily A. Todd, Elise J. Trudeau, Shawn A. VanBrunt, Aaron M. Vincent, Cal R. Vogtli, Simon S. Welka, Andreas J. Williams and Ashley K.E. Zewe.
The following scholarships and awards were awarded to graduates;
Norra J. Anastasia – Paul and Betty Hanson Career/Technical Scholarship.
Riti Anumalasetty – The Good Samaritan Award Fund, John J. Murphy Family Scholarship, Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship, OHS Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund, Cattaraugus Allegany Dream It Do It impact Scholarship.
Sophie L. Bartman – Wellness All-Star Award, Betty Bergreen Scholarship, Jack and Muriel Fogarty Memorial Scholarship, Olean High School Sports’ Booster Scholarship, Ora Bernard Gavin Scholarship, SUNY Brockport Prometheus Scholarship.
Lexi K. Benjamin – Two Joes Scholarship, Mercyhurst University Herrmann Merit Award, Mercyhurst University Presidential Scholarship.
Burroughs, Brennen M. – Paul and Betty Hanson Career/Technical Scholarship.
Tyler B. Camp – J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship, Signe, Svenborg, Agnes and Selma Johnson Scholarship, Bowling Green State University Honors Study Abroad Scholarship, Bowling Green State University Success Scholarship, Bowling Green State University Schmidthorst College of Business Scholarship, Bowling Green State University Freshman Academic Scholarship, Daughters of the Revolution Good Citizen Award, Senator George M. Borrello Youth Leadership Award, National Honor Society, DECA Honor Society.
Amy L. Campbell – The David Block Memorial Family Scholarship, Moose Menter Memorial Scholarship, Louis W. Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship
Caroline L. Carter – Virginia E. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship, Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship, Louis A. “Louie” and Patricia Magnano Scholarship, United BOCES Teachers Association Scholarship, St Bonaventure Presidential Scholarship, School of Business Pacioli Scholarship, 2024 Enchanted Mountains Exchange Club Scholarship.
Rubinder K. Chahal, – Virginia E. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship, Anthony and Gayle Iacovino Legacy Scholarship Fund, Slippery Rock University Honors Program Admission and Out of State Merit Scholarship, University of Albany Merit Scholarship, Susquehanna University Presidential Scholarship, SUNY Brockport Gold Scholarship and Residential Scholar Award.
Ethan Chen – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Rochester Institute Technology Presidential Scholarship.
Preston P. Conner – Deputy Wayne Krieger and Carol Kreiger Memorial Scholarship, Louis L. Marra Memorial Scholarship, Olean High School Alumni Association Scholarship, Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship, Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship, Kayden Belleisle Memorial Scholarship.
Tyler M.Cross – Tim Bushnell Memorial Scholarship.
William T. Crosson – 2024 Bray, Dohl and Driscoll Memorial Scholarship (Lions Club Scholarship), True Blue Scholarship Award from State University of New York at Fredonia, Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship
Trevor J. Crouch – Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship.
Draven E. Cummings – William D. and Catherine Griffin Fraser Scholarship, James A. and Joe E. Maguire Family Scholarship.
Andre L. Fratercangelo – OESPA (Olean Educational Support Personnel Association) Scholarship, Olean High School Sports’ Booster Scholarship.
Ryan A.S. Goodsell – Olean Theatre Workshop’s Leslie W. Larson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Lydia K. Hammer – Burt Scholarship, JoAnn Wehmeyer English Scholarship, Scholastic Excellence Award, Rochester Institute Technology Presidential Scholar, Rochester Institute Technology Recognition Scholar, Rochester Institute Technology Performing Arts Scholarship, Olean Theatre Workshop’s Leslie W. Larson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Danny J. H. Havers – Weston Mills Fire Department Vo-Tech Scholarship.
Grace L. Haynes – Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts, High Point Federal Credit Union Scholarship, BESPA Union Scholarship, Houghton Music Ensemble Scholarship, Creekside Chapel & Houghton Matching Scholarship, J.M. Hodges Educational Fund Trust
Maddison E. Hitchcock – Elias Eade Jr. Scholarship, Hughey Family Award for Resilience, Olean High School Alumni Association Scholarship.
Ryan S. Isenberg – Dennis M. Napolione Scholarship, Kayden Belleisle Memorial Scholarship.
Nicholas C. Jones – Thomas W. Conklin, Sr. Scholarship.
Sarah L. Jordan – JF20 Scholarship, St. Bonaventure University Ryan Owen Hughes Memorial Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Provost Scholarship.
Maya C. Kendrick – Clarkson University Engineering Scholarship.
Lilli A. Khettry – Robert E. Hull VMD Memorial Scholarship, Duquesne University Academy Scholarship, Duquesne University Admission to Honors College, University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Technology, George Washington University Presidential Academic Scholarship, University of Dayton President’s Merit Scholarship and Leadership in Service Scholarship, University of Dayton Admission to Honors College, University of Pittsburgh Panther Pride Award, University of Pittsburgh Pitt Success Grant, University of Pittsburgh Admission to Honors College, Academic Excellence in Spanish and Career and Financial Management, Doubles Award in Tennis, Third Place at Regional DECA competition.
Alexander C. Linderman – Betty Bergreen Scholarship, Signe, Svenborg, Agnes and Selma Johnson Scholarship, OHS Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund, J. E. Howe Educational Fund Trust, Brockport Prometheus Scholarship, New York State Stem Scholarship, Residential Scholars Award, Earth Science Scholar Award, Frank and Helen Burger Scholarship.
Makayla J. Magro – Herbert L. Sackett Memorial Scholarship, Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship, J. E. Howe Educational Fund Trust, Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship.
Dawson W. Mallery – Virginia E. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship, Youth Citizenship Award, Go Beyond New York State Award, Pitt Success Grant.
Autumn V. Milks – City of Olean Mayor’s Scholarship, Helen D. Tracy Memorial Scholarship.
Jalethyn J. Miller – RIT Merit Scholarship.
Gabreall P. Milligan – Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship, JF20 Scholarship.
Isaac G. Moses – Community All-Star Award, Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship.
Adelina M. Peer – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship.
Lucas S. Peterson-Volz – SUNY Fredonia President’s Award for Excellence, SUNY Fredonia Honors Award, National Honor Society Distinguished Service Award, Cattaraugus Allegany Dream It Do It impact Scholarship
Heartly A. Phipps – 2024 Character Excellence Scholarship Award, James M. Garvey Scholarship, Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, Michele Krahe Peace Olean High School Scholarship, Benjamin Litteer Memorial Art Scholarship.
Payton M. Reynolds – Thomas & Robert Smythe Scholarship, Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship.
Grace A. Ring – J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship, Dr. Brian O’Connell Sr. Memorial Scholarship, Tyler Bihler Scholarship, Olean Theatre Workshop’s Leslie W. Larson Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ora Bernard Gavin Scholarship, Cattaraugus Allegany Dream It Do It impact Scholarship.
Oliver T. Robbins-Martinelli – Diversity & Inclusion All-Star Award.
Helaina G. Rucinski – Virginia E. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship.
David J. Ruszkowski – Virginia E. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship, Tyler Bihler Scholarship, City of Olean Mayor’s Scholarship, Ora Bernard Gavin Scholarship, Cattaraugus Allegany Dream It Do It impact Scholarship.
Faith A. Schreibe – Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, American Red Cross Scholarship.
Rose M. Scordo – Sara Mollica Memorial Scholarship.
Aila M. Shoup – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship, University of Buffalo Presidential Scholarship, JCC College Connections student of the year 2023-2024.
Ava B. Smith – City of Olean Mayor’s Scholarship, American Red Cross Scholarship.
Allie D. Stayer – OESPA (Olean Educational Support Personnel Association) Scholarship, Colt 45 Strong Inc. Scholarship, Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, The John Ballak Memorial Scholarship, Indeck Scholarship, Michele Foss Bartholomew Good Person Scholarship.
Lily A. Todd – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, Indiana Wesleyan University President’s Scholarship, Indiana Wesleyan University Music Service Grant, Indiana Wesleyan University Campus Visit Incentive Award and Out of State Wesleyan Student Award, Federal Pell Grant Award, Bible Quiz Fellowship, Nationals 2024 Trophy Winner Scholarship, J.M. Hodges Educational Fund Trust.
Aaron M. Vincent – OHS Walter L. Reisner Unsung Lineman Award.
Ashley K.E. Zewe – Penn State Behrend Discovery Scholarship.
