The Schuylerville Central School District Class of 2019’s commitment to community service and academic achievement truly exemplifies the district motto, “Schooling, Caring, Succeeding.” Among the 134 students who are expected to graduate at the commencement ceremony on June 22, 2019 are the following “Top 10” students who are graduating at the top of their class.
Valedictorian Sarah Lamodi
Sarah Lamodi is graduating with a 98.18 academic average. Lamodi spent her time at Schuylerville High School committed to academics, extracurricular activities and giving back to the community. She served as vice president of National Honor Society, treasurer of both art club and French club and held the role of stage manager for drama club. Lamodi was also involved in math league, quiz team, yearbook club and has had her work published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.”
Musically, Lamodi took her skills on the flute from symphonic band to Area All-State, All-County Band and the New York State Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival. She also participated on the Class Act Dance competition team for 14 years.
Lamodi’s list of honors is extensive. She earned the George Washington Book Award from George Washington University, which recognizes students who embody the university’s drive and spirit, specifically with their academic excellence, leadership outside of the classroom, diversity of thought, and ability to put knowledge into action. Lamodi also earned the Northshire Open Minds Scholarship, Cengage Learning Scholarship and the University at Albany Multicultural High School Achievers Award. Lamodi was also honored at the 33rd Annual Capital Region Scholars Recognition Dinner for her academic achievement and qualities of citizenship and leadership.
Lamodi has volunteered her time to Project Lift at Division Street Elementary School, Camp Invention and the Learning with Innovative Technology Conference through SUNY Empire State College. She has helped with various Parent as Education Partners (PEP) events, volunteered at the first grade Valentine’s Day dance and served as a chair of the National Honor Society Tutoring Committee.
Lamodi is the daughter of Olu and Stacey Lamodi. She will attend Northeastern University in the fall, where she will major in Media and Screen Studies.
Salutatorian Rosemarie Zullo
Rosemarie Zullo is graduating with a 97.84 academic average. Zullo was involved in several extracurricular activities at Schuylerville High School, while also dedicating much of her time to community service. Zullo was a member of National Honor Society, math league, yearbook club and prom committee. She also played varsity field hockey, ran both varsity indoor and outdoor track and was named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete.
Zullo took part in the New York State Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival, had her writing published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal” and was invited to take part in the prestigious New England Young Writers’ Conference at Middlebury College in Vermont. Zullo also took part in Gun Violence Awareness Week in School and recently presented her research in neuroscience at the annual science symposium.
Zullo has volunteered her time to several events, including the MS Walk, Kaitlin’s Korner Benefit and several cancer benefit dinners. She has worked track events, ran football concessions, volunteered as an assistant coach for both JV and modified field hockey and has helped run the clock, record statistics and calculate attendance for several sporting events. Zullo has served as a tutor in geometry and physics for students needing extra help and has volunteered at various school functions.
Zullo is the daughter of Joy Zullo. She will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall and major in applied physics with a concentration in biology and medicine.
Austin Gardner
Austin Gardner is graduating with a 97.81 academic average. Gardner has held several leadership positions during his time at Schuylerville High School, including serving as president of both National Honor Society and drama club. Gardner has also been involved in quiz team, drama club, French club, robotics club, as well as a member of the varsity tennis team.
Musically, Gardner has attended All-County Choir, Area All-State Choir and the New York State Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival. He has taken part in vocal ensemble for all four years of high school and has performed musical numbers and theatrical pieces at the Theater Honors Weekend at Russell Sage College.
Gardner has been recognized with outstanding achievement in both French and pre-calculus, as well as receiving a scholarship from Russell Sage College.
Gardner has volunteered his time to several organizations. He has helped out with the middle school drama club, assisted at Vacation Bible School, helped lead activities at the fall festival in Saratoga Springs and served as a counselor for the Educating Young Engineers (EYE) Program.
Gardner is the son of Ryan and Paula Gardner. He will attend Pace University in the fall where he hopes to pursue acting.
Sierra Rechak-Lacomba
Sierra Rechak-Lacomba is graduating with a 97.27 academic average. Rechak-Lacomba was involved in several extracurricular activities at Schuylerville High School, while also dedicating much of her time to Girl Scouts and community service. Rechak-Lacomba was a member of National Honor Society, drama club, French club, quiz team, yearbook club, and math league.
Rechak-Lacomba’s list of honors is extensive. She has earned both the Girl Scout Silver Award, Girl Scout Bronze Award and is currently working on the Girl Scout Gold Award. She is the recipient of the RIT Innovation and Creativity Award and New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award.
Rechak-Lacomba has been a member of Troop 3519 in Schuylerville since she was in first grade. She has been recognized as the top cookie seller among the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York and was fifth in the country last year.
Rechak-Lacomba has volunteered her time to Girl Scout camp, Operation Adopt-A-Soldier and the Saratoga Clay Arts Center.
Rechak-Lacomba is the daughter of Ivy Rechak and A.J. Lacomba. She will attend Penn State University in the fall, where she will major in hospitality management.
Annika Brown
Annika Brown is graduating with a 97.03 academic average. Brown has been an important contributor to both the school and the community. She served as recording secretary for National Honor Society, secretary for French club and stage manager for drama club. She was also involved in quiz team, art club, math league and yearbook club. She is the founder of the local chapter of Students Demand Action and organized Schuylerville High School’s End School Violence Week and Open Mic Night to raise awareness for gun violence prevention.
Brown has received several honors, including being named a semifinalist for the National Honor Society Scholarship. She was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants. Brown is also the recipient of the P.E.O. Star National Scholarship and Elmira College’s Key Award. She has had her poetry and writing published by “Talent Unlimited,” “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal,” “Poetry 24” and the “American Library of Poetry.”
Brown has volunteered her time to several organizations. She’s served as a peer mentor for Franklin Community Center’s Project Lift Program, an assistant for the German Enrichment Program “Beyond the Bell,” a leadership intern for Camp Invention and an educator for the Division Street Cultural Fair. Brown has also volunteered at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, served as a coach for Saratoga Springs Little League and was an intern in Mr. Duncan’s fifth grade class.
Brown is the daughter of Meike Wiesenberg and David Brown. She will attend Connecticut College in the fall.
Paul Harshbarger
Paul Harshbarger is graduating with a 97.02 academic average. During his four years at Schuylerville High School, Harshbarger immersed himself in academics, athletics, clubs, activities and community service.
He is a three-sport varsity athlete, serving as team captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. Harshbarger has received numerous athletic honors, including being named a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, a three-time Section II Class B First Team Football Player, a two-time Class B New York State Honorable Mention Football Player, a two-time Section II Class B Second Team Baseball Player and a Section II Class B First Team Baseball Player.
Harshbarger has been an important contributor to Schuylerville High School, serving as president of both student council and varsity club, vice president of the Class of 2019 and secretary of the executive board for the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities. He has also been involved in math league, Spanish club, environmental club and has conducted research on the effects of binge drinking on neuropsychological test functions.
Harshbarger’s list of honors is extensive. He is the recipient of the Harvard Prize Book, an achievement award from the Harvard Alumni Association awarded to a student who displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievements in other fields. He also was recognized as an AP Scholar with distinction and named a state finalist for the Elks Most Valuable Student Award. He also was accepted into and completed the highly competitive West Point Summer Leadership Experience, which is a fast-paced program consisting of academic classes, military training, physical fitness training and intramural athletics.
Harshbarger has volunteered his time to several organizations. He has served as a youth coach for the Old Saratoga Athletic Association (OSAA) and Saratoga Little League. He has also helped run the Schuylerville concession stand during events and volunteered at Notre Dame Visitation Church.
Harshbarger is the son of Jill and David Harshbarger. He will attend Williams College in the fall, where he will major in economics and physics.
Colette Stone
Colette Stone is graduating with a 96.70 academic average. Stone was involved in several clubs and activities during her time at Schuylerville High School. She was a member of National Honor Society, French club and varsity club. Stone is a three-sport varsity athlete, serving as captain of the volleyball team and a member of both the softball and indoor track teams. She also played travel softball throughout high school and was the captain of a club volleyball team.
Stone has received several awards and honors. She was the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States. The award honors volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping others. Stone was also the recipient of Le Moyne College’s Heights Award, had her work published in the annual literary art journal “Talent Unlimited” and was featured in SPAC’s Young Artist Festival.
Stone has volunteered her time to the Schuylerville Public Library and has served as an assistant coach for Saratoga Little League, as well as umpired for youth softball games.
Stone is the daughter of Kathleen and James Stone. She will attend Flagler College in the fall, where she will major in Sport Management.
Tristan Brown
Tristan Brown is graduating with a 96.29 academic average. Brown was involved in several extracurricular activities at Schuylerville High School, while also dedicating much of his time to community service and preparing for his future career. Brown was a member of National Honor Society and math league, as well as a member of the varsity soccer team and junior varsity baseball team. During his senior year, Brown interned with the IT team at Pet Partners, where he learned algorithms, multiple programming languages and helped work on problems regarding efficiency and organization, as well as helped develop and modify software.
Brown was the recipient of The Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement and Social Conscience, which recognizes students’ academic success and exemplary community service involvement. He was also invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum of Engineering and Technology at The University of Chicago.
Brown has volunteered his time to Saratoga Springs Little League, serving as a youth sports coach, the Old Saratoga Athletic Association (OSAA), serving as a baseball volunteer, and the YMCA, serving as a youth sports volunteer. He has also volunteered at Notre Dame Visitation Church and has tutored students struggling in freshman algebra.
Brown is the son of Janice and Dan Brown. He will attend Penn State University in the fall, where he will major in computer science.
Catherine Claps
Catherine Claps is graduating with a 96.21 academic average. She was involved in several clubs and activities during her time at Schuylerville High School. She was a member of National Honor Society, French club, art club and varsity club. Claps served as captain of both the varsity lacrosse and field hockey teams. She was named to the Foothills Council All-Star Team for both sports. Claps also rides horses and has been training an off-the-track thoroughbred to show jump.
Claps was the recipient of The Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement and Social Conscience, which recognizes students’ academic success and exemplary community service involvement. She also received the Deans Scholarship from SUNY Oneonta. Claps has had her writing published in the annual literary art journal “Talent Unlimited” and has had both her writing and artwork published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.”
Claps has volunteered her time to Saratoga Hospital Center for Breast Care and has served as a coach for a youth girl’s lacrosse team.
Claps is the daughter of Patricia and Christopher Claps. She will attend SUNY Oneonta in the fall, where she will major in international relations and French. She will also be part of Oneonta’s field hockey team.
Samuel Levin
Samuel Levin is graduating with a 96.13 academic average. He was involved in several clubs and activities during his time at Schuylerville High School. He was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish club, environmental club, yearbook club and mock trial club. Levin was also a member of both the varsity lacrosse and varsity indoor track teams, as well as both symphonic and jazz bands. Outside of school, Levin served as Master Councilor for both the State and Washington chapters of the Order of Demolay.
Levin is the recipient of the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award, the Representative DeMolay Award and University of Rochester Xerox Award.
Levin volunteered his time at “The Way,” a gently used clothing store in Schuylerville, Adopt-A-Highway and has organized food donations for various food banks.
Levin is the son of Heidi and Paul Levin. He will attend SUNY ESF in the fall, where he will major in environmental science.