by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur High School’s 135th Commencement was held on Friday, June 23, 7 p.m., at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds grandstand.
The processional, “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, was performed by GHS Music Teachers Paul Buell, Renee Powlin, and Jenelle Yeoman. The graduating seniors were led from the Gouverneur High School to the grandstand stage by GCS Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly and Gouverneur High School Principal Cory Wood, followed by GHS Class of 2023 President Mariah Manning and Vice President Addison Conklin. They were followed by the rest of the Class of 2023, as well as district officials and members of the GCS Board of Education.
GHS Senior Class President Mariah Manning led all the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Graduation Choir, conducted by Renee Powlin, performed the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. The welcoming address was made by GHS Principal Cory Wood.
“As the high school principal, I have the honor of introducing tonight’s proceedings,” he said. “I am pleased to announce that tonight’s ceremony is being broadcast live via Facebook to our friends and families who are unable to attend tonight’s special event. I am also pleased to be able to welcome all of our friends and family tonight. Despite the threat of rain, it’s turned out to be a beautiful evening, and we’re excited that all of you have joined us tonight.”
The GHS Class Speakers – Mariah Manning, Addison Conklin, and Ava Bartholomew – then gave inspirational speeches to the GHS Class of2023. See related story inside this edition.
Remarks to the Class of 2023 were then provided by Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong. See related story inside this edition.
The Chamber Singers conducted by Renee Powlin, then performed a musical selection, “Homeward Bound,” as arranged by Mark Wilberg.
The presentation of awards was announced by Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper:
Senior Academic Awards: The following students were acknowledged for Senior Academic Achievement: Ava Bartholomew, Lia Canell, Allison Carvel, Addison Conklin, Shane Muyano, Randi Griffith, Rikki Griffith, Niciara House-Bowman, Elizabeth Riutta, Jack Schroeder, Kobe Steorts, and Jerricka Walton. These distinguished seniors made the honor roll every marking period since they began their high school as ninth grade students. They have earned honor roll status 15 times during the past four years. Senior Academic Achievement with Distinction honors went to Noel LaPierre and Mariah Manning. These students not only earned honor roll status 15 times during their high school career but did so with a 97 or better average.
The Mariano Pistolesi Memorial Wrestling Scholarship Award was presented to James Hayden. This $500 award is given in memory of Mariano Pistolesi by his family. Mr. Pistolesi was a member of the first wrestling team at Gouverneur High School in 1934. He was an avid outdoorsman and of course a huge wrestling fan. This award is annually given to a graduating senior of the wrestling team planning a post-secondary education, based on dedication, inspiration, perseverance in the face of adversity and financial need. The award was presented by Joseph Pistolesi Cummings.
Elizabeth Kirchner Gleason Scholarship: This year’s recipient is Jacob Edney. This $500 art scholarship is given by retired Gouverneur art teacher, Elizabeth Gleason. This scholarship is given in memory of Lillian Todd and Diana Lynde, deceased art teachers of Gouverneur High School. The award is presented to a graduate who has majored in art during high school who will continue formal study of a visual art field in college.
Kiwanis Club Scholarship: This scholarship was awarded to Jerricka Walton. The Gouverneur Kiwanis Club awards a $500 scholarship to a Gouverneur High School graduate based on a letter of personal reference, community service and academic achievement. Key Club Scholarship: Elizabeth Riutta was awarded the Key Club Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Gouverneur and is awarded to a graduating Key Club member who has shown exemplary leadership in carrying out the club’s agenda. The awards were presented by Gouverneur Kiwanis Club Member Roland Roderick.
Faye S. Hopper Scholarship: Hazen Given and Mariah Manning were awarded the Faye Sprague Hopper Scholarship. This scholarship was established to honor Mrs. Hopper’s commitment to musical excellence while serving the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church as organist for 62 years. This $500 award is given annually to a graduating college-bound senior who has demonstrated a commitment to musical excellence and has shared the gift of music with the school and community. The award was presented by Alan and Elaine Hopper.
William E. Appleby, Jr. Humanities Award: This year’s recipient is Allison Carvel. This $500 award is given in memory of Mr. William Appleby, Jr., by his family. Mr. Appleby was a gifted teacher, writer, and accomplished musician. His hobbies included horses, music, poetry and St. Lawrence University hockey. A graduate of SLU and the University of Buffalo, Mr. Appleby was a member of the Gouverneur High School English Department for over 25 years. As a teacher, he provided leadership and inspiration to many young adults. This award in his name is given to a graduating senior who is pursuing a post-secondary education in English, music or the arts.
NYS Academic Excellence Scholarships: The $1,500 award winner is Mariah Manning. The $500 award winners are Ava Bartholomew, Noel LaPierre, and Elizabeth Riutta. The 2023 Scholarships for Academic Excellence, provided by the New York State Education Department, are awarded to the top students in the graduating class for up to five years for undergraduate study in NYS.
Evergreen STEM Scholarship: This year’s recipients are Elizabeth Riutta and Shane Muyano. St. Lawrence County students, including two from Gouverneur, were honored last fall with $3,000 awards by the Northern New York Community Foundation. The Evergreen STEM scholarships are provided former Gouverneur residents, Charles Owens and Higouhi “Hi” Owens, to students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math.
Other scholarship awards, presented during Moving Up Day 2023, were also announced in the commencement program. Congratulations were extended to all the award winners.
GHS Principal Cory Wood then presented the Class of 2023 as follows: “It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Class of 2023.” Principal Wood extended gratitude to GCS Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly, GCSD Board of Education President David Fenlong and Vice President Todd Bates, as well as the entire GCSD Board of Education and administrative team, teaching faculty, guidance staff, maintenance staff, custodial staff, GHS Music Department staff, Senior Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper, the students in the GHS Class of 2023, as well as friends and families.
“Tonight is truly one of those forever moments that our graduates will remember for years to come,” Principal Wood said. Lastly, I would like to thank the students of Gouverneur. The last four years, you have shared many moments together – beginning with COVID and remote learning to today. You have taken each a different path, and have illustrated what it takes to be ready to take on the future as young adults. The past year, each of you have contributed to memories and the successes of our school. Whether it was moments in between scenes in a musical, time in class, or out on the athletic fields, there are too many moments to count that are memorable and each of you will remember your time here in many different ways. But today is the day that you move forward as and will be remembered as the Class of 2023. Congratulations. Beginning tomorrow, you’ll begin to make your mark individually with your talents, your interests, your passions. The upcoming years are yours. Now, go out and find something you love and spend your life chasing your dreams. The excitement of leaving is near, but tonight you stand one last time as the Class of 2023. I am proud when I say thank you for letting me share this part of your lives with you.
We are very proud of the accomplishments of this class. The Blue and Gold shines a little brighter tonight. The graduates tonight have been faced with a great deal in their four years of high school. Through COVID and the individual obstacles and pressures from society, this group of young adults have persevered to accomplish one of the many milestones in a person’s life. Graduation is more than a piece of paper. It is 13 years of personal growth, the acquisition of knowledge and experiences. Throughout the four years, this class delivered time and time again what it means to be a graduate of Gouverneur High School. Individually and collectively, the young ladies and gentlemen sitting on the stage tonight have been outstanding role models for our younger students to follow. Here are some of the details: In the Music Department, our musicians have returned to the stage and produced a number of outstanding musicals in their high school career. While at Gouverneur, our seniors have participated at the highest level of state competition, with several receiving the highest marks for their efforts. For their efforts, eight were selected for the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and finally, we were able to produce “Into The Woods” to packed houses every night. Congratulations.
“The Class of 2023 also includes some very accomplished technical students – 58 seniors attended Southwest Tech with eight earning distinction in the National Technical Honor Society. GHS had one attend the capstone program at the Canton Agricultural Academy. The skills learned with our partnerships with Southwest Tech and BOCES have provided several of our seniors with immediate work skills to enter the workforce after graduation. This year our CTE students also returned to SkillsUSA to showcase their skills, with one student received a top 10 finish. The seniors sitting here tonight have earned certifications in a variety of fields and continue to meet New York State’s challenge to career ready. Congratulations, seniors.
“The seniors once again proved to be instrumental in leading our athletics teams to another successful year. We had an outstanding group of senior student-athletes showcased throughout the year, earning local accolades. We celebrate our seniors for their receipt as All-Northern award winners in each of their sports and despite the contest, the Wildcats will always go competing knowing that we have the largest and loudest fans in Section 10 and beyond. We thank you, the community, for your continued support. Our student-athletes don’t just succeed on the field, pool, or mat, they exceed in the classroom. Ten of our 17 teams earned the scholar-athlete team awards. This group can also boast 30 times a student-athlete was presented with an Athlete of Distinction for maintaining a 90-plus average during their season.
“Now we get a chance to talk about why we are here, the academics. This senior class posted impressive credentials. This class of 100 outstanding young adults has accomplished the following: 443 potential college credits already earned through our partnerships with Syracuse University, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Potsdam. At Gouverneur, 11 of our seniors have earned 20 or more college credits with a total of 37 of our 100 seniors taking at least six credits or more. That’s an impressive academic record. Fifty-two (or 52 percent of this class) will attend higher education next fall. Twenty-six will attend a four-year college, 16 will attend a two-year college. We have five that will enter the U.S. Military immediately following graduation, with three going to the Air Force, one to the Army, and one to the National Guard. Congratulations, students.
“We also have 28 of our students accepting or are pursuing full-time employment after graduation. We wish them well and we wish them good luck. In addition, 13 seniors are members of the National Honor Society, 18 are members of the GHS Honors Group, maintaining an average of 90 or above for 3 ½ years, and nine students belong to the National Technical Honor Society, and eight belong to the Tri-M Honor Society. And finally, this is an incredible statistic, 95 percent are receiving a NYS Regents Diploma, which includes 30 with Advanced Regents Designation, and four with Honors. Great job, students.
“And now for the moment you have all been working hard for… Supt. Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Fenlong and the rest of the Board of Education, on this day, I certify to you and all here present that each of these students have fulfilled the requirements for graduation in accordance with the guidelines established by the New York State Department of Education and the Board of Education at Gouverneur Central School. With great pride, I present the Class of 2023.”
The diplomas were then presented to each graduate by GCS Board of Education President David Fenlong with assistance from GHS Principal Cory Wood. Each name was announced by Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper. The high school diplomas were first presented to members of the GHS Honors Group (who had an academic average of 90 and above for 3 ½ years and signified by the gold honor chord), which included the following students: Noel LaPierre, Kobe Steorts, Rikki Griffith, Randi Griffith, Ava Bartholomew, Elizabeth Riutta, Shane Muyano, Mariah Manning, Niciara House-Bowman, Aurora Hayden, Addison Conklin, Addison Blair, Shia Bright, Jerricka Walton, Allison Carvel, Maxwel Lucas, Jack Schroeder, and Maya Bartleson. Diplomas were also presented to the following members of the GHS Class of 2023: Markeyce Abar, Hunter Aldridge, Ethan Alguire, Madison Ayen, Cason Babcock, Cameron Barbarito, Isabelle Bishop, Haley Blair, Olivia Blye-McQuaid, Hailey Bodah, Caiden Burns, Lia Canell, Michael Cooper, Hunter Crews, Sarah Crook, Daniel Dixson, Jacob Donaldson, William Dubberly, Isaiah Dunning, Jacob Edney, Ashton Farr, Jesse Farr, Ethan Fenlong, Saraphenna Filiatrault, John Finne IV, Ethan Fitzgerald, Raelynne Flynn, Jakob Fuller, Maya Gaines, Robert Gardner, Landon Gaumes, Hazen Given, Jaelyn Goodale, Elizabeth Hamilton, Sierra Harmer, Jeremiah Harris, James Hayden, Hailey Hitchcock, Grace Holmes, Madison Hubbard, Megan Hubbard, Peyton Huckle, Cassidy Ingram, Drew Jenkins, Hannah Kirby, Ravin Labarge, Jaret Link, Branden Loveless, Heather Martin, Alexandra McDougall, Lily McDougall, Mikayla McNeil, Deseree Miller, Nicolis Moran, Katie Newcombe, Alexis Nichols, Shay O'Donnell, Ethan Platt, Elisabeth Porter, Genecca Potter, Nolan Reed, Jenika Richards, Riley Seaman, Nathan Shattuck, Abigail Simmons, Piper Simmons, Trevor Sixberry, Jahonna Sloan, Shaylee Smith, Isaiah Sochia, Cale Stowell, Levi Stowell, Tanner Stowell, Wava Stowell, Daniel Thomas, Sedina Thomas, Makendra Thorpe-Maloy, Abigail Way, Raneissa Way, Alexander Whitmire, Avery Winters, Jadian Youngs.
The Graduation Choir, conducted by Renee Powlin, then led the crowd in singing the Alma Mater by Ryland Hewitt (GHS ’09).
“Graduates, your journey has been met with challenges that no one could have predicted. But you have completed this major milestone in your lives with grace and poise. You are now beginning those next steps we spoke about four years ago when you made the commitment to graduate. A few things to leave with: Learn to give more than you receive. Always look to be your best you. Take ownership of your actions. Remember, nothing will ever change if you are always pointing fingers. Out of responsibility, comes possibilities. And finally, surround yourself with people who care about you and who you care for. Seniors, after today, some of you will move away while others will stay in the area. But for all of you, remember this. Gouverneur will always be home, and always look to home in the lessons you learned at GHS to guide you on the next adventure. Seniors, you are ready for this. Your families believe in you and on behalf of Gouverneur High School, we believe in you.”
GHS Principal Cory Wood then called for Senior Class President Mariah Manning to take her position at the front of the class to conduct the tassel-turning ceremony. Once complete, great cheers broke out as the GHS Class of 2023 threw their caps in the air in a triumphant gesture in celebration of their graduation.
The recessional medley was then performed by Paul Buell, Jenelle Yeoman, and Renee Powlin, as the graduates departed the grandstand stage to accept their graduation envelopes and reunite with their families and friends in attendance.
Much gratitude was extended to the GHS Senior Parent Group, which contributed in great support of the jumbotron rental for the commencement exercises. The Senior Parent Group also paid for a professional photos of each graduate accepting their diploma to be taken by Gidget Wainwright Photography. The replay of the livestream is now available for viewing of the Gouverneur CSD Wildcats Facebook page. For more information about Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.