001Yeah, we almost wear the same one back. All right. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the meeting to order. Just please rise for the pledge. I'll try to be loud without a microphone for everybody. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Our first item tonight is uh the class of 2025 top 10 recognition. And I'll turn it over to the principal, Miss Lias. Good evening everyone. I am Christina Lias, the high school principal. On behalf of the board of education and district administration, I thank you for joining us for this special celebration. As we near the end of the school year, life seems to speed up. We find
002ourselves caught in the rush of final exams, senior trips, year end events, and all the excitement and pressure that comes with preparing for graduation. It's easy to get swept up and forget to stop, to reflect, and take in the significance of this moment. But tonight, we pause. We pause to recognize something truly meaningful. This evening is about honoring achievement, commitment, and perseverance. It's about taking the time to reflect on what it means to be excellent. We are here to recognize the top 10 scholars of the Glover High School class of 2025. [Applause] These individuals have worked tirelessly, have held themselves to high standards, and have earned a place at the very top of their class. Their success is a result of determination, resilience, and countless hours of effort. But we all know that no one
003accomplishes something this significant entirely on their own. Behind each of these scholars is a quiet force of encouragement. The families who offered support, guidance, and belief. Whether it was through helping with schoolwork, attending every event, or simply offering a steady present presence during stressful times, your role in their journey has been invaluable. While we shine the spotlight on our scholars, we also applaud those who stood beside them every step of the way. [Applause] to the top 10. What you have accomplished is no small feat. Yes, you have excelled academically, but what is just as impressive is how you have done it. You managed rigorous coursework, taking honors, AP, CHS, and SUBA classes while balancing part-time jobs, sports practices, rehearsals, family commitments, and extracurriculars. You met deadlines, led group projects, studied late into the night, and
004still showed up ready to contribute, to learn, and to lead. You are the students who stayed curious, who made the constant choice to push yourselves, and who continued to rise even when the pressure was high. In every way, you have represented your class and your school with distinction. We are proud of you. We are inspired by you, and we know that this is just the beginning of all that you will accomplish. And now, it is my great honor to individually recognize each member of the top 10 of the class of 2025. [Applause] Sorry. Ken Porter, the son of Mark and Bethany Porter, participated in varsity football, being nominated as a Times Union All-Star Daily Gazette area all-star, New York State Sports Writer Association Allstate Class B Quarterback, New York State Section 2 All-Star, and received
005the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award. He also participated in varsity basketball and varsity baseball. Cal is a two-time New York State section 2 all-star for baseball. He was a team captain in all three of his varsity sports. He is a national honor society member and received the academic titan award all four years of high school. He will be continuing his education and athletic career at Sunni Brackport majoring in physical education while also playing baseball. He hopes to one day become a physical education teacher and pursue coaching. Graduating 10th in his class, Ken Porter. Preston Gillis, the son of Paul and Jennifer Gillis, has served as the student representative to the board of education, president of the drama club, PLTW lab technician, and engineering major manager. and team captain of masterminds. Preston is also an
006active member of the jazz band, the varsity golf team, the national honor society, the student government association, the student liaison committee, the key club, and he delivers to school announcements. In addition to his academics and extracurricular achievements, Preston runs two small businesses, the Split Maple Workshop, where he crafts cutting boards, custom furniture, and builds props for local theaters, and Presto Preston, where he performs as a magician. Preston will attend Sunni Polytenic Institute in the fall to major in mechanical engineering. Graduating holding the ninth spot place in the class of 2025, Preston Gillis. Nicola Degrazia, the son of Jamie and the late Dominico Degrazia, was a member of the varsity tennis team his freshman year, his freshman and sophomore years, varsity golf his junior year, and varsity football his senior year. He's an active member of
007the Key Club and National Honor Society. He enjoys spending time with his family and concentrating on his woodworking hobby. He also enjoys spending time at the Church of the Holy Spirit and helping fund raise for Project Purple and Relay for Life. Nicola plans on attending Friendsier Polytechnic Institute in the fall to major in architecture. Graduating eighth in the Gloversville High School class of 2025, Nicola [Applause] Degrazio. Congratulations. Liliana Sturgis, the child of Edward and Laura Sturgis, has been an active member in the student government, National Honor Society, Key Club, and jazz band. Liliana has consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout her high school career, earning the academic titan award. Liliana will attend the University at Buffalo in the fall to study accounting. Ranked seventh in the Gloversville High School class of 2025, Liliana Sturgis. Skyler Matson,
008the child of Jason and Terresa Matson, has been an active member of the cross country and track and field teams since freshman year and has been a hardworking and dedicated athlete all four years. He will attend Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall to study mechanical engineering. Holding the sixth spot in the class of 2025, Skyler Matson. [Applause] Emily Strower, the child of R.J. and Charlene Strower, has been an active member of many extracurriculars, including captain of the varsity soccer, basketball, and softball teams, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of student government, and is also a member of Key Club, drama club, and jazz band. She was chosen as a scholar athlete for basketball and was selected for the all-star team for softball. She will attend the University of Buffalo to major in
009English adolescent education and minor in theater, graduating holding the fifth spot in the class of 2025. Emily Sprous. Salvatore Amberino, the son of Karen Blackwood and Daniel Amberino, has been a member of the National Honor Society Key Club Student Government Association indoor and outdoor track and has participated in many other academic activities while maintaining an exceptional GPA. Salvatore will be attending the University of Buffalo in the fall to pursue a major in biology and plans to become a radiologist in the future. Number four in the Gloversville High School class of 2025, [Applause] Salvador. Congratulations. Congratulations. Allison Eversol, daughter of Caitlyn Eversol and sister of Finley Eversol, is an active participant in high school sports, competing in both varsity track and field and swimming. Her community involvement includes various activities associated with Key Club and volunteer
010opportunities over the summer. She will be attending the University of Vermont in the fall, majoring in psychological science. Graduating third in the class of 2025, Allison Eversol, Jordan Coller. The son of Edward Anne Bernita Coller has been a standout student athlete and leader throughout high school. He played varsity basketball and soccer, was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Government Association, and served as class president and vice president. Jordan has also volunteered as a helper for the unified basketball team, reflecting his commitment to service. In the fall, Jordan will attend Renolier Polytechnic Institute to major in mechanical engineering where he hopes to pursue his passion for problem solving and innovation. The Gloversville High School class of 2025 saludiatoran Jordan Kisha Noel Santander, the daughter of Noel and Catherine Santander, has served as the
011vice president of her class, the Key Club, and the National Honor Society, while also participating in girls varsity soccer, Masterminds, and Battle of the Books. Outside of school, she is a Fulton County SPCA volunteer. She was also a nominee for the US Presidential Scholar Program. A winner of the RIIT Women in STEM Award and Brown University Area Alumni Award, Kisha will attend the University of Buffalo in the fall as a student in the Honors College majoring in pharmacy. The Gloversville High School class of 2025 validictorian Trisha Noel Santana. Congratulations. If we could please have one more round of applause for the top 10 class. Nice line in order. Yeah. Woo. While you guys are all welcome to stay for the remaining portion of the board meeting, there's also refreshments in the lobby. Head out there
012and have a conversation celebrate and take more photos if you would like. I guess I'll have a cookie to celebrate. We're going to take a fivem minute recess.