Category: District News

Books, books and more books. When Fort Plain’s Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian weren’t busy with their studies or playing sports, free time would find them both indulging in their common passion: reading.

“I love to research global history,” Valedictorian Seth Wintermute said. “I’ll read for hours for pleasure about how economics has shaped history in America and Europe. My love for history started when I read one of my mom’s books about the holocaust, ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel, and I became interested in learning different perspectives of different authors. I’m always reading, even as I walk down the hallways in school.”

“If I had the time, I’d spend days on end at Barnes & Noble reading critical essays, or about nature, the Adirondacks, biographies, history, and or the ‘Midnight Sun’ sequel to ‘Twilight’,” said Salutatorian Sarah Paradiso. “I can’t put a book down, no matter how long it is.”

While they love books, Seth and Sarah were involved in Fort Plain athletics. Seth ran with the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He enjoys running during his free time as well, preferably during colder weather. Sarah also ran on the Track and Field team and played on the Volleyball team, a sport she signed a commitment to play at Keuka College. She also played on the Basketball, Softball and Bowling teams.

Seth and Sarah were involved in many high school activities. Seth was active in Class Council, the Environmental Study Team, Prom Committee and National Honor Society. Sarah was also involved in Class Council, Environmental Study Team and National Honor Society, as well as Drama Club, Band, Chorus, Mock Trial, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) organization, and in Girls State and her church choir.

At Keuka College, Sarah will study adolescent education, with a major in History and minor in English. She’s looking forward to the many internship experiences the college offers, and she is also interested in pre-law and political science – and perhaps running for office one day. Becoming an educator may come first, however. “I have a family history of history teachers!” she noted.

Seth will attend Syracuse University in the fall to pursue a double major in Political Science and Political Philosophy. He also has his eye on pre-law studies and law school, and he has a future goal of working in political analysis.

When asked to describe something unusual about himself, Seth said that once he became a senior in high school, he “became very vocal about everything, and when I wasn’t in class, they missed me.

“I’ve been opinionated since birth,” Seth added, “but I didn’t begin speaking up until this year. You need to get your opinion out, because no one will ask for it.”

Sarah’s unique enjoyment is “writing creatively. I have three novellas in the works, and I also like to write historical fiction,” she said. “My brain never stops; once I get started writing, I hate to stop.”

Sarah writes mostly at home, but also enjoys “writing in a coffee shop, or I could write anywhere. I’ll get abstract thoughts in my brain and take down memos. I’ve done some of my most creative writing in the shower or just before bedtime,” she said.

Sarah and Seth both enjoy country music, have happy memories of their time as Fort Plain students, and thank their teachers for all of their support and encouragement. Both said they missed interacting with fellow students and teachers during the pandemic.

Each offered advice for their younger peers.

“Stay ahead of your work,” Seth advised. “Don’t let yourself fall behind.”

“Make sure you find balance in your life,” said Sarah. “Have fun while you can; go to that basketball game!”

Read more about our Class of 2021 Top Ten students

Read more about all of our Class of 2021 students

Congratulations to the Fort Plain High School Top Ten students for the Class of 2021. We are proud of your achievements and wish you well in all that lies ahead.

#10 Rachel Zuppardi

#9 Troy Butler

#8 Molli Bates

#7 Howie Kelley

#6 Olivia Kennedy

#5 Evan Crouse

#4 Zavia Allen

#3 Grace Hoffman

#2 Sarah Paradiso, Salutatorian

#1 Seth Wintermute, Valedictorian

Read more about our students

Visit our Senior Spotlight page to read more about all of our students in the Class of 2021

Read more about our Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Job safety for teens was the focus of a work-based learning internship recently completed by Fort Plain senior Justin Schumacher and junior Nicholas Blowers.

The students created job safety graphics after learning about the number of teens injured on the job each year and the importance of workplace safety awareness for teens. Their project is now educating others in their school.

Justin and Nick drafted a map of the hazards in a grocery store. Upon finishing the draft map, Nick completed the layout of the grocery store using Google Slides and color coded the hazards that each identified.

To share this concept and importance with classmates, Justin and Nick developed the grocery store hazard map and related materials into graphics that are on display in the hall at the Jr./Sr. High School for their schoolmates to view.

Common jobs for today’s teen might include working in a grocery store, bagging groceries or selecting items for the customer to pick up. To address this need, Justin worked to develop graphics to share with his schoolmates that demonstrate proper ways to pack groceries in order to prevent damage, preserve freshness, prevent spoilage and reduce the chance of cross-contamination.

The students also hosted a special guest, HFM BOCES Transition Specialist Scott Iovinella, with whom they proudly shared their work.

Below are some statistics that Justin and Nick learned while reviewing the workplace safety curriculum:

• Approximately 1.6 million teens (age 15–17) in the United States work. About 50% of 10th graders and 75% of 12th graders have jobs.
• Many youths are injured on the job.
• On average, each year;
  • 59,800 workers younger than 18 are sent to the ER for job-related injuries, but actual injury statistics are much higher.
  • 37 workers younger than 18 die on the job.
  • Young workers are twice as likely to be injured than adult workers.

View more photos on the Fort Plain CSD Facebook page.

Congratulations to the following Fort Plain students who were honored on June 14 for their  achievements at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony.

Listed by Award, Sponsor: Recipient

• 21st Century Leadership Award, Wells College: Kasidy Rouse
• 21st Century Leadership Award, Wells College: Tucker Jones
• Award in Memory of Clara Kilpatrick (boy), Clara Kilpatrick Scholarship Fund: Devan Sanders
• Award in Memory of Clara Kilpatrick (girl), Clara Kilpatrick Scholarship Fund: Marionna Stephens
• Bausch & Lomb Science Award, University of Rochester: Robert Jordan
• Citizenship Award, Mrs. Deborah Waner: Clayton Welch
• Citizenship Award, Mrs. Deb Waner: Griffin MaGinnis
• Citizenship Award, Mohawk Valley VFW Post 3275 Aux: Marionna Stephens
• Clarkson Leadership Award, Clarkson University: Sarah Florian
• Clarkson University Achievement Award, Clarkson University: Hailey Hogan
• Computing Medal & Scholarship Program Award, Rochester Institute of Technology: Levi Thomas
• Computing Medal & Scholarship Program Award, Rochester Institute of Technology: Erin Crouse
• Diligence and Dedication in PreCalculus, Mr. Lucas Santiago: Sarah Florian
• Elmira College Key Award, Elmira College: Elizabeth VanDycke
• Excellence in Creative Writing (Grade 10) from Mary Reed McCall, Mrs. Mary Reed McCall: Joseph Stinebrickner
• Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Rochester: Talia Narzymski
• George Eastman Young Leaders Award, University of Rochester: Emma Oldick
• GFWC Mohawk Valley Women’s Club Award, GFWC Mohawk Valley Women’s Club: Gracelynn Rice
• Highest Average in AP Biology, Mr. Jay D. Jarabek: Robert Jordan
  Highest Average in the 10th Grade After 3 Quarters, Fort Plain Teachers’ Association: Alex Rivkowich
• Highest Average in the 11th Grade After 3 Quarters, Fort Plain Teachers’ Association: Robert Jordan
• Highest Average in the 9th Grade After 3 Quarters, Fort Plain Teachers’ Association: Brady Keane
• Interest and Effort in Geometry, Mr. Lucas Santiago: VanDwane Tulabing
• J.D.J. Above and Beyond Award, Mr. Jay D. Jarabek: Natalie Thibodeau
• J.D.J. Above and Beyond Award, Mr. Jay D. Jarabek: Erin Crouse
• J.D.J. Above and Beyond Award, Mr. Jay D. Jarabek: Ethan Kilmartin
• J.D.J. Above and Beyond Award, Mr. Jay D. Jarabek: Sarah Florian
• Julia Inella Memorial Award, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bleichner: Keagen Ford
• LeMoyne College Heights Program, LeMoyne College: Sarah Florian
• Loyal Order of the Moose Art Award, Canajoharie Lodge 853: Nura Handy
• Mayflower Society Awards, Society of Mayflower Descendants: Robert Jordan
• Mayflower Society Awards, Society of Mayflower Descendants: Talia Narzymski
• Michael Hazzard Memorial Award, Family & Friends of Michael Hazzard: Ethan Kilmartin
• Most Improved Student in Grade 10 History, Mohawk Valley VFW Post 3275 Aux: Jacen Grassel
• Most Improved Student in Grade 11 History, Mohawk Valley VFW Post 3275 Aux: Cheyanne Wahl
• Most Improved Student in Grade 9 History, Mohawk Valley VFW Post 3275 Aux: Amelia Cruger
• Most Outstanding English Student in Grade 11, Mr. David O. Matt: Sarah Florian
• Outstanding Achievement in Pre-Calculus, Mr. Lucas Santiago: Robert Jordan
• Outstanding Achievement in Spanish II Award, Mrs. Patti Jarabek: Brady Keane
• Outstanding Achievement in Spanish III Award, Mrs. Patti Jarabek: Mayreni Quiroz-Romero
• Outstanding Achievement in Spanish III Award, Mrs. Patti Jarabek: Kristin Sanders
• Outstanding Achievement in Spanish IV Award, Mrs. Patti Jarabek: Keagen Ford
• Outstanding Achievement in Spanish IV Award, Mrs. Patti Jarabek: Erin Crouse
• Rensselaer Medal Award, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Robert Jordan
• RIT Innovation & Creativity Award, Rochester Institute of Technology: Keagen Ford
• RIT Innovation & Creativity Award, Rochester Institute of Technology: Talia Narzymski
• Student Sage Scholar, The Sage Colleges: Cheyanne Wahl
• The Evadean Handy Mathematics Award, Board of Education: Estee Smith
• Triple “C” Award, State of New York Office of the Attorney General: Brady Keane
• Triple “C” Award, State of New York Office of the Attorney General: Marionna Stephens
• Undergraduate Student of the Year Award, Elementary Student Council: Talia Narzymski
• Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, University of Rochester: Seth Rivkowich

Over the week of June 7th, 2021, the Fort Plain – OESJ boys track and field team ran, jumped and threw their way to a fourth place finish at Sectionals. They competed against 13 other teams and scored a total of 54 points.

The scoring of points came from a variety of different places. For team running events, the 4 x 800 team of Clayton Welch, Armand Root, Michael Harris and Michael Green finished fourth. The 4 x 400 team of Estee Smith, Armand Root, Clayton Welch and Seth Richardson finished third.

Individual running events saw several standout performances. Armand Root finished third in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.92. Clayton Welch ran the 400 meter dash in 53.37 seconds and was crowned Sectional Champion in that event.

The Fort Plain field event athletes also had their share of success. Seth Richardson won the pole vault competition. Howie Kelley threw the shot put 39 feet 9.5 inches and took second place. His personal best throw was less than three inches away from the first place competitor. Kelley also became a Sectional champion with a discus throw of 112 feet and 10 inches.

The track coaches congratulate all of their athletes on a job well done this season. In a less-than-normal year, these athletes worked hard and stayed focused. Their success was evident at Sectionals!

-submitted by Brad Niles

Personal induction ceremonies into the National Honor Society (NHS) were held at the end of May and beginning of June for 11 Fort Plain High School seniors and their families.

During each ceremony, readings focused on the Candle of Knowledge, which signifies a tradition of honor that passes along the pillars of leadership, character, scholarship and service. The students lit candles to signify their commitment to knowledge and learning.

To finalize membership in the NHS, students then recited the National Honor Society pledge, securing their membership. Congratulations to the following NHS inductees:

Zavia Allen

Molli Bates

Troy Butler

Evan Crouse

Grace Hoffman

Olivia Kennedy

Sarah Paradiso

Megan Telfer

Matthew Travis

Seth Wintermute

Rachel Zuppardi

Fort Plain salutes the Class of 2021. Visit our Senior Spotlight webpage!

Don’t miss our Fort Plain Senior Parade this Friday, June 18th!

June may be Pride Month, but kindness, understanding and inclusion are year-round goals of the GSA student organization at Fort Plain High School.

Likewise, the focus of the organization is much broader than its full name – the Gender & Sexuality Alliance – would indicate. GSA groups can be found in schools and communities across the country.

A group of students formed the GSA at Fort Plain High School during spring 2019 and began holding meetings bi-weekly the following fall. “We first wanted to get together to talk about problems in general, not only in school, but in our community and the world,” said Liz, a GSA member. “That morphed into regular meetings, and we talked about what the group wanted to be.”

“We show people they have support, not just related to sexuality or gender, but for life problems. We show them that there are more people out there that they can trust,” said Bree, a fellow member.

Maiya, another member of the GSA, added, “We are not here for ourselves, but to help other people. Our group is not just made up of LGBTQ students, but also of people who are allies and who support inclusion.”

With this in mind, GSA members brainstormed and developed activities for Pride Month, which is observed nationally each June. They created a banner that their fellow high school students, faculty and staff signed, committing to following the Ally Pledge: “I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to:
• Not use anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) language or slurs.
• Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed or inform school personnel.
• Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
• Encourage others to be allies.”

During lunch recently, the group offered pride swag which included bracelets, temporary tattoos, and stickers, and led an LGBTQ pride trivia game to help others learn more about pride history, events and efforts toward inclusion.

“It’s going pretty good,” Bree said. “Lots of people played the game and signed the banner, showing they believe in equal rights for everybody and not discriminating, and that no matter who you are, that you are important.”

About the establishment of the GSA at FPHS, Liz said, “It’s important because a lot of kids don’t belong to other organized groups and this gives them an opportunity to come together.”

Going to a small school in a small community can be challenging, the students noted. Maiya said, “We are here to support and so people feel like they are not alone. Our club offers friendship and being there for others.”

When asked to describe in one word what GSA has done for them, the students came up with two: safety and support.

“The GSA offers kindness, understanding and acceptance,” said club advisor and school counselor Kayla Mahoney. “They aren’t promoting anything – rather, they stand for diversity, equity and inclusion for all.”

Students interested in joining the GSA can talk to any of the club’s members or contact Mrs. Mahoney in the high school counseling office.