By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
ALLEGANY — Eighty-five Allegany-Limestone seniors graduated in the school’s 30th Commencement on Saturday.
The graduates marched into the auditorium and onto the stage to a soft piano version of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Middle-High School Principal Joseph Steger welcomed family and friends of the graduates.
Dr. Diana Maguire, president of the Board of Education, presented school medals to Valedictorian Ipshita Patra and Salutatorian Stephanie Kopec.
In her Valedictory Address, Ipshita dedicated part of her speech to her parents.
“I would have never gotten the chance to put in the work and effort that I have if my parents hadn’t made the most difficult decision of their lives and sacrificed a lot, to move to the U.S. from India,” she said, “leaving their home, their families and friends, their comfort and their memories, to give me and my sister a better life than they received themselves.”
Ipshita said, “They crossed oceans so I could cross this stage. Mama and Papa, because of your love, your support, your sacrifices, I’m here today and all the accomplishments I have made and the success I have achieved in these last seven years, I dedicate to you.”
She also thanked her teachers. “I know COVID wasn’t easy on any of us — especially our teachers — so your sacrifices and patience never went unnoticed.”
She added: “Reflecting on my experiences at ALCS, the most joyful parts weren’t the grades or trophies I chased after. My favorite memories, were the unnecessary experiences that I got to have with my classmates.”
Salutatorian Stephanie Kopec thank you to all my past teachers for their encouragement and inspiration. I hope you all know that you made a lasting influences in my life, shaping not only my knowledge but also my character,” she said.
“More importantly,” Stephanie said, “I want to thank my mother. This strong and intelligent woman encouraged me to strive for the things I cared about most and not to give up on my dreams. I owe her for my ambition to seek out any opportunity I could, and I owe her for supporting me in all of my endeavors, believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself.”
School counselor Ashley Malpiedi presented diplomas along with District Superintendent Anthony Giannicchi, Steger, Middle and High School Assistant Principal Kevin Straub and other Board of Education members.
The graduates are:
Hunter Ackley, Abbigail Aderman, Vincent Amore, Tobie Austin, Chloe Baker, Lauryn Ball, Lara Bartholdy, Kymber Benjamin, Saylynn Bish, Thomas Buffamante, Felicia Callahan, Amara Chaffee, Maddyson Cowburn, Michael Edwards, Jennifer Eggers, Nicole Feneran, Jack Filjones,
Addison Fisher, Isabella Fogle, Collin Forrest, Charles Forrester.
Taylor Foster, Addison Gabler, Conner Gage, Lily George,
Cayden Giardini, Elizabeth Giardini, Zane Gleason, Sofia Gomez, Alivia Grader, Zachary Greaves, Luke Griffin, Khyree Harmon, Angel Haynoski, Mason Herbert, Logan Jones, Alyssa Karl,Lillian Kave, Caitlyn Kellogg,
Grace Ketchner, Leah Kiel, Maddax King, Dean Knell, Stephanie Kopec.
Carson Kwiatkowski, Vincent LaBella, Tatymn Lindell, Conner MacArthur, Johan Marais, Gunnar Martin, Kael Matasich, Cody Maynard, Matthew McCarthy, Avery McCoy, Kamil Milliner, Derek Nolder, Dusten Nolder, Leah O’Dell, Iree O’Dell-McGonigle, Caelyn Parry, Daniel Parsons, Zander Parsons, Ipshita Patraπ, Abigail Peck,
Kathryn Penird.
Jhonas Price, Roberto Ramirez, Robert Richardson, Isabel Rodgers, Laney Rollins, Collin Silluzio, Megan Silvers, Kayla Smith, Quincy Stebbins, Kaleb Strade,
Brady Straub, Gavin Straub, David Thompson, Haylee Voorhees, Dillon Wagner, Moira Walsh, Ethan Washington, Caleb Wedge, Kennadi Wenrich and Stephen Wiltse.
Scholarship and awards recipients are:
Nicolas G. Pendl Memorial Scholarship: Addison Fisher, Haylee Voorhees, Stephanie Kopec, Tatymn Lindell.
NYS Attorney General Triple “C” Award: Lauryn Ball, Tatymn Lindell, Kamil Milliner, Leah O’Dell.
NYS Award for Academic Excellence: Ipshita Patra, Stephanie Kopec, Addison Fisher, Tatymn Lindell.
OAG Civic Ambassador Award: Maddax King Odis. Barber Memorial Scholarship: Taylor Foster.
Olean Lions Club Bert Dohl Memorial Scholarship: Addison Fisher.
Ora and Bernard Gavin Scholarship: Lauryn Ball Reva.
“Ma” DeArmitt Memorial Scholarship Fund: Daniel Parsons.
Ryan Aderman Memorial Scholarship: Zander Parsons, Abbigail Aderman.
Sara Mollica Memorial Scholarship: Ipshita Patra.
Shaun Costa Memorial Scholarship: Tatymn Lindell. Tommy Moran Memorial Scholarship: Avery McCoy. Thomas W. Conklin Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Zander Parsons.
Virginia Stauffer Scholarship: Lauryn Ball, Brady Straub, Ipshita Patra, Jhonas Price, Addison Gabler.
Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship: Lillian Kave.
WNY R-AHED Health Career Scholarship: Addison Fisher.
William S. Bielecki Celebration Scholarship: Tatymn Lindell
James Zwald Memorial Spanish Language Award: Ipshita Patra.
Leslie Larson Scholarship/Olean Theater Workshop: Quincy Stebbins.
J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship: Stephanie Kopec.
John J. Murphy Scholarship: Vincent Amore.
Jonathan Teuscher Award: Gavin Straub.
Joseph and Cecily Higgins Scholarship: Addison Fisher.
Joseph D. Thropp Memorial Award: Avery McCoy. Kothari Family Fund Healthcare Scholarship: Caitlyn Kellogg.
Laurie Anzivine Memorial Scholarship Fund: Brady Straub.
Limestone Union Free Alumni Scholarship: Zander Parsons, Amara Chaffee.
Long/Vossler Family Scholarship: Caitlyn Kellogg.
Louis Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship: Addison Fisher, Felicia Callahan.
Michele Foss Bartholomew “Good Person” Scholarship: Ipshita Patra, Addison Fisher.
Mohammed and Sakeena Iqbal Healthcare Award: Ipshita Patra.
NHS-Distinguished Service Award: Addison Fisher.
NHS-Outstanding Honor Society Member: Caleb Strade.
NHS-Scholastic Excellence Award: Ipshita Patra.
Cattaraugus County Counselors Association Scholarship: Addison Fisher.
Chipmonk Community Hall Scholarship: Caleb Strade. Christine Conner Memorial Scholarship: Haylee Voorhees, Maddax King.
Class of 1972 Academic Award in Memory of Thomas Feneran: Abbigail Aderman, Caleb Wedge.
Class of 1981 Scholarship: Abbigail Aderman.
Clem and Ida Martiny Scholarship: Abigail Peck.
Colt 45 Strong Scholarship: Ipshita Patra.
Sons and Daughters of Cutco Scholarship: Vincent LaBella, Abigail Peck Dennis Jones and Wayne Johnston. Memorial Dice Run: Caleb Strade.
Dorothy T. Karl Scholarship: Elizabeth Giardini.
Dr. Rudy Burt Scholarship: Amara Chaffee.
Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship: Ipshita Patra, Vincent Amore Dustin.
Jae Fleming Memorial Award for Creative Arts: Kymber Benjamin Francis D. Pezzimenti Memorial Scholarship: Carson Kwiatkowski, Lauryn Ball, Vincent LaBella, Caleb Strade, Addison Fisher, Caitlyn Kellogg, Ipshita Patra, Daniel Parsons, Zander Parsons.
Frank A. Martin 111 Memorial Scholarship: Addison Fisher, Caleb Strade, Lauryn Ball, Luke Griffin./
Frederick G. Grace Memorial Scholarship Award: Lauryn Ball.
Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship: Quincy Stebbins, Zander Parsons.
High Point Federal Credit Union Scholarship: Mia Giannicchi, Emma Jankowski, Jesse Decker.
Academic Booster Club Awards: Ipshita Patra, Stephanie Kopec, Elizabeth Giardini, Luke Griffin, Vincent Amore, Caleb Strade, Alyssa Karl, Carson Kwiatkowski, Brady Straub, Chloe Baker.
ACS Alumni Scholarship: Stephanie Kopec, Zander Parsons, Brady Straub.
Air Force Math and Science Award: Vincent LaBella, Ipshita Patra.
Air Force Scholar/Athlete Award: Caleb Strade, Addison Fisher.
ALCS Teachers’ Association Award: Quincy Stebbins, Brady Straub, Haylee Voorhees.
Allegany Sons of American Legion Charles Harbel Post #892 College Award: Vincent Amore, Caitlyn Kellogg, Brady Straub.
Allegany American Legion Riders Charles Harbel Post #892 Military Enlistment Award: Jack Filjones.
Allegany American Legion-Legionnaire/Auxiliary Achievement: Gavin Straub, Brady Straub, Elizabeth Giardini, Caleb Strade, Avery McCoy, Vincent Amore, Caitlyn Kellogg, Grace Ketchner.
Allegany American Legion: Richard Straub Memorial Trade School or Apprentice Award: Avery McCoy, Grace Ketchner, Caleb Strade.
Allegany Memorial PTA: Jhonas Price.
Allegany Public Library Memorial Association Fund: Lauryn Ball.
Drs. Ahmad and Naheed Hilal Health Care Scholarship: Stephanie Kopec.
Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship: Elizabeth Giardini, Zander Parsons.Carol Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts: Quincy Stebbins.
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