Category: Jr./Sr. High News
A warm welcome back from the Superintendent
August 23, 2022
Dear Fort Plain School Community,
I am excited to extend a warm welcome back to every member of the school community. I hope that each family had a chance to relax, unwind and reset in preparation for what I hope will be a terrific school year!
The first day of school for students is on September 6th. Doors will open in both buildings at 7:30 a.m. The instructional day begins at 7:50 a.m. for Harry Hoag Elementary and 7:55 a.m. for the Jr./Sr. High School.
FPCSD remains committed to our goal to prepare every student for success beyond graduation. Now, more than ever, we need to closely examine what it is that our graduates will be asked to do in life beyond their senior year. The world is ever changing and we must adapt to embrace the new norms of society. It is the District’s responsibility to ensure that all graduates are well prepared to continue their education and/or to join the workforce. I have no doubt that there will be unexpected challenges in our future. If we remain dedicated to creating a productive, relevant and enjoyable school experience, we will surely achieve our goal in spite of any variables that may come our way.
I am honored to welcome several new administrators, teachers and other school employees to the FPCSD family. I would like to personally thank them for choosing to serve our community. I encourage you to attend a few fall events to get to know all of the highly qualified people who serve as members of the school team.
Communication will be a major focus of the District and we will work tirelessly to keep you informed. Please be sure to check the school website and the Parent Square app regularly to stay apprised of school happenings. This year, we will develop a strategic plan that will set our vision, mission, and priorities for years to come. Our plan will encourage diverse and creative ways for all students to experience the wonder of learning. Keep your ears open for ways to get involved in the planning process.
It is my sincere hope that every student and family will have a happy, healthy and safe learning experience this school year. It is truly an honor to serve FPCSD as a school leader.
Sincerely,
Lauren H. Crisman
Superintendent
FPHS students are state youth leaders in promoting health & preventing illness
It wasn’t a mountain they climbed, but the goal was just as impressive when FPHS students Trinity Belliveau, Kassidee Dodson and Kaitlyn Dodson summited at Keuka College to promote health and prevent illness.
They took part in the New York State Youth Summit Aug. 1-4 as members of the Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities (ATFC) of Hamilton, Fulton and Montgomery Counties Reality Check program.
Trinity, Kassidee and Kaitlyn joined with fellow youth leaders from across the state at the engaging and educational summit, which culminated in a community activism event anchored by the message, “We Have Seen Enough Tobacco!”
“It was inspirational to see all the work the older youth have done,” Trinity said about the summit.
“The Youth Summit provides an opportunity for Reality Check youth leaders to come together to learn, plan and connect,” said ATFC Coordinator for Catholic Charities Grace Dawson. “Trinity, Kassidee and Kaitlyn were among almost 200 teens and adults who worked together for a healthier New York State at this incredibly impactful event. These youth leaders take what they experience home with them, to plan for similar actions in their own communities.”
Dawson accompanied the students at the summit along with Reality Check Coordinator Monica Tirado, and Luann Santabarbara, Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties substance abuse prevention counselor and Reality Check coordinator, who is based at Fort Plain High School.
Trinity and Kassidee are 8th grade students at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School, and Kaitlyn is in 11th grade. Their participation in the summit was funded by a Reality Check program grant.
View more photos in our Facebook album
Fall 2022 sports practice schedules – Updated
Attention Hilltopper student-athletes: Initial fall 2022 sports practice schedules are as follows:
Football
Aug. 20 from 8-11 a.m.
Equipment pick up will be on August 18th at 3:30 p.m.
Modified Football
Aug. 25 from 8-10 a.m. Students should meet in the Nellis locker room.
Equipment pick up is Aug. 22 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., or Aug. 23 from 10-11 a.m.
Boys Varsity Soccer
Aug. 22 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Sports Complex, then
Rest of week: 4-6 p.m.
Girls Varsity Soccer
Aug. 22 at 8 a.m. at the Sports Complex
Additional practice dates/times will be announced at the first practice.
Girls Varsity Volleyball
Aug. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at FP High School
Additional practice dates/times will be announced at the first practice.
Girls JV Volleyball
Aug. 22 from 8-10 a.m. at FP High School
Additional practice dates/times will be announced at the first practice.
Girls Modified Volleyball
Aug. 29, 30, 31 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Harry Hoag School
Sept. 1 from 3:15-5 p.m. at Harry Hoag School
Girls Modified Soccer
Aug. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at FP High School
Additional practice dates/times will be announced at the first practice.
Boys Modified Soccer
Aug. 29, 30, 31, Sept. 2 from 9-11 a.m. at the Sports Complex
Sept. 1 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Sports Complex
173 FPHS students achieve 4th Q Honor Roll or Principal’s List
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School is proud to announce that 79 students were named to the Honor Roll and 94 students were named to the Principal’s List for the fourth quarter of the 2021-22 school year. To achieve Principal’s List, a student must earn an average of 89.445 or higher. To achieve Honor Roll, a student must earn an average between 84.445 and 89.444.
Congratulations to all of the students listed below.
Honor Roll
Grade 7
Jordyn Best
Faith Clark
Bryellah D’Arcangelis
Deegan Fountain
Jeremy Gebhardt
Nathalieann Hisert
George Kellogg V
Madison Lewis
Elle Nare
Jonathan Palmeri
Trent Reynolds
Jaydin Roosevelt
Kendra Sackett
Brady Spaulding
Riley Spraker
Kiera St.Louis
Cheyanne Wall
Grade 8
Ezra Brown
NyKisha Brown
Alexis Buley
Logan Burgess
Isaac Clark
Marcus Dunbar-Eller
John Fountain
Breyanna Gilot
Isis Hammond
Natashia Hammond
Devon Lambert
Macey LeRoy
Sonia Medina
Kyera Murray
Nicholas Skiffington
Jayde TenEyck
Summer Trumbull
Grade 9
Alexander Ellis
Cris-John Fuhs
Country Hammond
Serenity Johnson
Nevaeh Rivers
Emily Rood
Hailey Steele
Calen Van Alstine
Grade 10
Karissa Battisti
Ezekiel Brown
Kelsey Buley
Jasmine Fonda
Aidan Guile
Jordan Hillsgrove
Vandwane Hisert
Kierstan Horender
Payton Kretser
Michael Palmeri
Gracelynn Rice
Alex Smith
Breanna Steinhauer
Marissa Wilder
Grade 11
Americus Cotton
Madison Delgado
Alexis Euler
Andra Fuhs
Jacen Grassel
Brianna Krutz
Vivian Nunez
Kaitlyn Parker
Mayreni Quiroz-Romero
Amani Santana
Aleigha Van Alstine
Grade 12
McKenzie Battisti
Laura Chambers
Monique Cool
Noah Horning
Emma Karker
Owin Landry
Patrick LeMoine
Vincent Lince
Hunter Lounsberry
Griffin MaGinnis
Tyrell Martin
Braeden Mosher
Principal’s List
Grade 7
Trinity Belliveau
Gamliel Brackett
Kala Clapper
Aaliyah Delgado
Mason Gray
Jansheen Haider
Lyllie Handy
Hailey Hayes
Levi Hext
Brooke Jones
Jay Kwasny
Lilly Lapi
Gavin Massie
Faith Narzymski
Alexis Palmeri
Zionna Robarge
Larry Sanders III
Silas Smith
Landon VanGorder
Grade 8
Ian Burns
Josephia Carcasole
Owen Castellano
Emma Cook
Daniel Euler
Reanna Germond
Koby Herron
McKenna Karker
Dylan Keane
Daniel Lancaster
Grace McFee
Constance Narzymski
Taylor Potter
Bailie Richardson
Bradley Rumrill
Morgan Stock
Dawson Tracki
Grade 9
Nathan Benson
Zachary Briggs
Jordan Brown
Dakota Cooper
Kaedence David
Yunus Demir
James Douglas
Kaylie Field
Ashlynn Hart
Vienna Jackson
Payton Landry
Jasmine Lapi
Asaiah Muha
Xavier Rivera
Adriyanna Rouse
Grade 10
Mason Cook
Kaeden David
Brady Keane
Monika Kulczynski
Sadie Mollel
Matthew Paul
Devan Sanders
Payton Skiffington
Delana Tracki
Grade 11
Cameron David
Hannah Edwards
Stephen Gray
Madeline Heroth
Rylee Herron
Ethan Kilmartin
Anthony Paradiso
Alex Rivkowich
Kristin Sanders
Joseph Stinebrickner III
Natalie Thibodeau
Phoebe Wagner-Gollinger
Jeffrey Wilday
Grade 12
Bryce Anderson
Erin Crouse
Jacob Curtis
Brandon Dygert
Sarah Florian
Michael Harris Jr.
Hailey Hogan
Kerri Johnson
Tucker Jones
Robert Jordan
Shantel Kretser
Talia Narzymski
Emma Oldick
Seth Rivkowich
Kasidy Rouse
Lawrence Sinisi
Estee Smith
Levi Thomas
Robert Trumbull
Cheyanne Wahl
Clayton Welch
David Bertram named Director of Student Engagement and Athletics
Fort Plain CSD welcomes David Bertram as the new Director of Student Engagement and Athletics. He was appointed at the July 14, 2022, Board of Education meeting.
Bertram joins the Fort Plain Central School District having served public education for many years in assignments as an elementary teacher, boys varsity basketball and tennis coach and as an administrator. His resume includes professional experiences at Cooperstown Central School District and most recently, as the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for Mohonasen Central School District.
Bertram stated, “I am extremely excited to start my new adventure as a Hilltopper. There is a rich tradition at Fort Plain and together we will continue to work on delivering the best possible experience for our students.”
Mr. Betram is a proven, effective coach having led the boys varsity basketball and tennis teams at Cooperstown CSD to win many sectional and league titles including two trips to the NYS final four for both basketball and tennis.
Superintendent Crisman said, “Mr. Bertram’s diverse experiences in education, from classroom to coaching, made him the ideal candidate for this new position. He will bring a breadth of knowledge to the job and possesses strong leadership skills. The position’s responsibilities will focus on strengthening the overall student experience by giving enhanced attention and support to our co curricular, extracurricular and athletic programs K-12. In addition, Mr. Bertram will provide mentoring to new or novice athletic coaches.”
Mr. Bertram will begin employment with the District on July 18, 2022. To reach David Bertram, please contact the Main Office in the Jr./Sr. High School or email him at david.bertram@fortplain.org.
Media coverage:
Daily Gazette: Bertram takes over as Fort Plain athletic director; served at Mohonasen for 2 years
2021-22 Fort Plain Central School Athletic Awards
Fort Plain honored the achievements of the district’s student-athletes on June 14 at the 2021-22 Fort Plain Central School Athletic Awards ceremony. Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee gave the welcome address and opening remarks for the ceremony, which was held in the high school auditorium.
Congratulations to all of our Athletic Award recipients.
NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete School of Excellence
Fort Plain Central School has qualified as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete School of Excellence for having 15 of its 16 2021-22 varsity teams achieve at least a 90% average and named Scholar-Athlete teams. The teams include golf, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, volleyball, cheerleading, girls bowling, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, and boys and girls track & field. There was no varsity softball team this year.
Fall Season Awards
Cross Country
Most Valuable Girl Runners: Emma Karker, Fort Plain; Olivia Schaffer, Canajoharie
Most Valuable Boy Runners: Kurt Sunderland & Michael Harris Jr., Canajoharie
Most Improved Runner: Sam Robinson, Canajoharie
Fort Plain Central School Board Of Education 2nd Effort Awards: Natalie Thibodeau & Dustin Welch
WAC All-Stars: Olivia Schaffer, Emma Karker, Natalie Thibodeau, Kurt Sunderland
3rd at Class D Sectionals & 13th at Class D State Meet – 2nd Team – All-State: Olivia Schaffer
Golf
WAC 1st Team All-Stars: Austin Van Gorder, Girls – Jordan Brown
2nd Team All-Stars: Owin Landry, Seth Rivkowich
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Jordan Brown
Most Valuable Golfer: Austin Van Gorder
Coaches Award: Owin Landry
Most Improved Girl: Shantel Kretser
Most Improved Boy: Seth Rivkowich
Girls Soccer
WAC Section 2 and Mohawk Division All-Stars – 1st Team: Erin Crouse
2nd Team: Emma Oldick
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Madeline Heroth
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award: Rylee Herron
Boys Soccer
WAC Mohawk Division All-Stars – 1st Team: Robert Jordan
2nd Team: Clayton Welch & Stephen Gray
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Nalzon Henry
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award: Noah Horning
Volleyball
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Vivian Nunez
Football
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Noah Norton
Winter Season Awards
Wrestling
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Alex Smith
State Champion – Division II – 172 lbs.: Reed Douglas, Canajoharie
Bowling
WAC Co-Most Valuable Bowler: Anthony Paradiso
WAC 2nd Team All-Stars: Emma Oldick & Ian Zuppardi
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Awards: Shantel Kretser & Ian Zuppardi
Most Valuable Bowlers: Emma Oldick & Anthony Paradiso
Most Improved Bowlers: Kaedance David & Dustin Welch
6th Man/Woman Award: Autumn Nichols & Jed Douglas
Swimming
Board Of Education Award: Tucker Jones
Coaches Award: Tucker Jones
Girls Basketball
WAC 2nd Team Mohawk Division All-Star: Erin Crouse
Section 2 Girls Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award: Erin Crouse
Team’s Most Valuable Player: Erin Crouse
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Ryleigh Hart
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award: Ashlynn Hart
Defensive Player of the Year: Sarah Florian
Rebounder of the Year: Erin Crouse (15 rb/game)
Rookie of the Year: Ashlynn Hart
P.R.I.D.E. Award: Sarah Florian
Boys Basketball
WAC Co-Most Valuable Players – Mohawk Division: Robert Jordan & Levi
Thomas
WAC 1st Team Mohawk Division All-Star: Clayton Welch
WAC Mohawk Division – Honorable Mention: Stephen Gray & Austin Van Gorder
Second Team All-State – Class C, Section 2 Class C All-Star and Times Union Newspaper Small School All-Star: Robert Jordan
Honorable Mention All-State Class C, Section 2 Class C All-Star, Times Union Newspaper Small School Honorable Mention: Levi Thomas
Board of Education 2nd Effort Award: Cameron David
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award: Estee Smith
Cheerleading
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Sadie Kersey
Spring Season Awards
Baseball
WAC All-Stars: Austin Van Gorder, Nalzon Henry & Griffin MaGinnis
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Award: Nalzon Henry
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award: Rich Paddon
Bo Baker Batting Average Award: Austin Van Gorder
Rich Bower Baseball Award: Griffin MaGinnis
Cy Young Award – Lowest ERA: Austin Van Gorder
Fox Hole Award: Stephen Gray
Track & Field
Board Of Education 2nd Effort Awards: Monika Kulczynski & Estee
Smith
Outstanding Girl & Boy Track Athlete: Natalie Thibodeau & Isaiah Handy (OESJ)
Outstanding Girl & Boys Field Athlete: Sarah Florian & Noah Norton
Outstanding Girl & Boy Track & Field Athlete: Jordan DeNinno (OESJ) & Clayton Welch
Note: Fort Plain had JV and Modified Softball this year – No Varsity Softball Awards
Memorial and Special Awards:
Western Athletic Conference “Dick Gray Profiles in Courage” Award:
Natalie Thibodeau
Bill Cutspec Memorial Scholarships: Erin Crouse & Owin Landry
Bo Baker Memorial Scholarship: Noah Horning
Noah Fredericks Memorial Senior Track Awards: Emma Karker & Estee Smith
Rich Bower Cross Country & Track Awards: Emma Karker & Michael Harris Jr.
Board Of Education Underclassman Awards: Ryleigh Hart & Stephen Gray
Board Of Education Senior Sportsmanship Awards: Emma Karker & Tucker Jones
Most Improved Athletes: Erin Crouse & Levi Thomas
William Doerrer & Son Outstanding Senior Athletes: Sarah Florian, Robert Jordan & Clayton Welch
Media coverage
Leader-Herald: “Fort Plain, A Scholar Athlete School of Excellence Hosts Sports Awards Ceremony”
Class of 2022 Senior Spotlight – and graduation & Top 10 video links
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School celebrates the Class of 2022 with our Senior Spotlight! Spotlights are also displayed on the digital display in the high school lobby and highlighted on morning announcements.
Graduation is Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. View the ceremony online via our livestream/recording link.
View the Class of 2022 Top Ten video shown at graduation
Colleen Cushing receives SUNY Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award
Fort Plain School Counselor Colleen Cushing has been honored with a State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award for exemplifying excellence in her work with students.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the awards on June 15, recognizing Cushing and just 53 fellow educators statewide “for their impressive skillset as an educator and commitment to success for all of their students.”
The Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award includes a $5,000 stipend from SUNY that recipients can apply toward professional learning opportunities to continue to develop their knowledge and skills to further support student growth. Recipients are also offered opportunities for: sharing insights on their teaching practices, curriculum and instruction; professional learning; and working with regional development leaders, university leaders, policymakers and school leaders to advise them on education trends.
In announcing the awards, Gov. Hochul said, “Before, throughout, and as we move past this pandemic, teachers have selflessly shown up for our kids and deserve our immense gratitude. It is impossible to recognize each one for their hard work and effort, but I am pleased to congratulate 54 outstanding educators for their commitment to their students. They embody the values and mindset that every educator should have, and I applaud them for inspiring thousands of children across our great state.”
The recipients were named after an extensive award application process that involved several New York State professional education associations.
Congratulations National Junior Honor Society inductees
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School inducted 11 eighth grade students into the National Junior Honor Society and recognized 20 seventh grade students as provisional members at a June 21 ceremony at the school.
Congratulations to the following inductees:
Ian Burns
Josephia Carcasole
Owen Castellano
Reanna Germond
Koby Herron
McKenna Karker
Dylan Keane
Taylor Potter
Bailie Richardson
Bradley Rumrill
Dawson Tracki
Congratulations to the following provisional members:
Gamilel Brackett
Aubry Brant
Kala Clapper
Bryellah D’Arcangelis
Keagen Dodson
Mason Gray
Jansheen Haider
Hailey Hayes
Levi Hext
Lilly Lapi
Elle Nare
Alexis Palmeri
Hunter Palmeri
Zionna Robarge
Kendra Sackett
Larry Sanders
Silas Smith
Brady Spaulding
Olivia Sweet
Landon VanGorder
Paying it Forward . . . Literally
By Wendy Stokna –
A popular country song by Tim McGraw, whose lyrics include the following, “Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you / When you get where you’re going, don’t forget turn back around / And help the next one in line / Always stay humble and kind,” personifies the latest effort by internship student Talia Narzymski.
After being the first student from the Fort Plain Central School District to receive the College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Award, Talia realized that she could use her experience to help her peers win scholarships to help fund their education in times of growing economic concern.
Her internship experience through Mrs. Stokna’s class was inspired by the recent video “Borrowed Future,” directed by David DiCicco, which spotlights how staggering amounts of college debt have become a national concern. In order to do what she could with her knowledge of the process and as a student in a rural community, she set out to make a difference.
Her process began with conversations among teachers, her senior high school counselor and the development of student surveys. Her first step was sending out a survey to her classmates to understand their needs and where they might need support. (She thanks Mrs. Sacco for allowing her to do so during her class!)
With guidance from Ms. Cushing and Mrs. Stokna, Talia created a guideline for her classmates with helpful links and suggestions to assist them on their scholarship journeys. Seniors were given access to this through Ms. Cushing’s Class of 2022 Google Classroom and you will find a link to it here as well: Guide to Scholarships by Talia, which includes Guide to Writing Your Scholarship Resume.
Two displays were created in the school, by the school counselors’ office and outside of Mrs. Stokna’s classroom, that contain QR codes and information about the following scholarship services: https://www.goingmerry.com/, https://www.fastweb.com/, and https://student.naviance.com/fpjshs. The posters in these displays are also displayed throughout the halls.
Talia hopes her fellow classmates discover that the application process is not as scary as it may seem, and that they can continue to apply for scholarships even after they graduate! She also puts emphasis on the importance of looking at every scholarship that is posted, as many students do not seem to realize that there are scholarships for just about anything, not just top academic scores or athletic ability.
Small amounts can easily add up. Talia is also hopeful that this will be the start of something that will continue to grow and can support students of the Fort Plain School District for many years to come.
In the photos: Talia created the displays above in the high school, posting them with the help of fellow student Braeden Mosher (pictured with Talia in the top photo).