The Hoosick Falls Central School District has announced the top ten students for the Class of 2017. Each of these students has displayed academic excellence and the district congratulates them for their hard work and commitment to academics.[private]
Seniors Emma Ganger-Spivak and Katy Gardner have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Class of 2017.
Emma Carmany Ganger-Spivak –
Valedictorian
In addition to earning the top spot in her class with a grade point average of 99.395 percent, Emma is active in school groups and activities, contributing to the betterment of her school. She is the editor of the Panther Post and the Lead Representative for the Advocates of Compassion Club. She is also a member of the PRISM club. Emma competes on the Masterminds Team, and as a result of her participation, she competed in the 2017 National History Bee.
Emma shares her knowledge and gives back to her peers through mentoring. Last school year she helped a 7th-grade student academically. This year, Emma has been mentoring elementary students who are part of Art League (an hour long before-school program in which students learn about art history and generate work of their own). She also assisted with setting up art displays after school.
She was one of the 12 student leaders who called an emergency press conference last year. This past fall, Emma presented at the 2016 Sage College Leadership Conference on Social-Emotional Learning and Stress Management at HFCS. She also attended the 13th Annual STOP (Students Together Opposing Prejudice) Conference at Siena College.
Outside of school, Emma is a member of the Bennington Children’s Chorus Senior Ensemble and has been for all four years of high school. Over the holidays, Emma works at Hawkins House in Bennington. She interned at Bennington Museum for a month in 10th grade researching Vermont artists, under the instruction of the curator. In grades 10 and 11 she attended Champlain College Young Writer’s Conference. In grade 11, Emma participated in the Bennington Rotary 4-Way Speech Contest.
Emma plans to attend Reed College in the fall, pursuing a degree in Art History.
She is the daughter of Jonah Spivak and Liz Ganger of Hoosick Falls, New York
Katy May Gardner – Salutatorian
Senior Katy Gardner plans to continue her education at Colgate University and plans to major in Biology on the pre-med track. She is interested in the specialty of oncology. In addition to graduating second in her class, with a grade point average of 99.012 percent, Katy has participated in several extracurricular activities including as Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Ski Club, Student Council, and Panther Post. She is also the Treasurer for the Class of 2017. Katy is a scholar-athlete who played field hockey.
Katy is the recipient of the Jeffery Stratton Memorial Award and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarship.
Outside of school, Katy works at Thorpe’s Pharmacy and is involved in the community through mentoring and volunteering at camps such as Vacation Bible School and Girl Scout Camp.
Katy is the daughter of Jeff and Melissa Gardner of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Cassandra Anne Crucetti
Graduating third in the Class of 2017 is Cassandra Crucetti with a grade point average of 97.597. Cassie is a scholar-athlete and has played defensive mid/wing in soccer, basketball, and attack in lacrosse. She served as the president of the Varsity Club and has been a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Panther Post.
Cassie has decided to continue her education at Ithaca College, where she has been accepted into a six-year program for a doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has also been awarded a Presidential Scholarship from Ithaca.
Cassie is also the recipient of the Triple Crown Award, and the Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglas Award.
Outside of school she worked at HAYC3 mentoring and assisting children with their homework after school. She also volunteered for TOP (The Outreach Program) Soccer.
She is the daughter of Michael Crucetti of West Hoosick, New York, and Margaret Skorupski of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Emma Kathryn Kelly
Emma captured the fourth spot in this year’s class with a grade point average of 97.530 percent. Emma has been a scholar-athlete for her entire high school career and played field hockey.
Emma is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as secretary. She is also the Class of 2017 historian, a writer for the Panther Post, a member of Student Council, and Ski Club.
When she’s not at school she participates in Irish step dancing.
Emma is the recipient of the Xerox Award (University of Rochester), and is a JLS Finalist. She is also the recipient of a Dean’s Scholarship from Hobart and William Smith College, where she will attend in the fall studying Educational Studies.
Emma is the daughter of Patrick and Julia Kelly of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Jamie Danner
Jamie is graduating fifth in her class having earned a grade point average of 96.865 percent. Jamie has served as secretary for the Class of 2017, and the vice president of Student Council. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Ski Club, Panther Post, and is the lead anchor for Panther TV.
In her Drama Club career, she has played many roles, notably lead parts such as Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and most recently she played the title role in Cinderella.
Outside of school Jamie works as a prep cook at the West Mountain Inn, located in Arlington, Vermont. She will be attending Nazareth College in the fall, studying Marketing.
Jamie is the daughter of Dawn and Joseph Danner of Grafton, New York.
Sydney Elizabeth Luke
Sydney is graduating sixth in her class with a grade point average of 96.337 percent. She plans to pursue Aeronautical Engineering at RPI in the fall, with plans to continue on into the Air Force where she aspires to attend flight school. She was also accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, receiving four congressional nominations, one to the Naval Academy and three to the Air Force Academy.
Sydney is a member of the National Honor Society, where she has served as president. She was also Class of 2017 president in her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Additionally, she is a member of the Varsity Club, Ski Club, and the Panther Post.
Sydney is a scholar-athlete and has played defense in Field Hockey and attack in Lacrosse. She was a captain for both teams. She will be playing field hockey at RPI next year.
Sydney was featured by WNYT-TV 13 as an Athlete of the Week and is the recipient of the Isabel McGuire Award (NHS). She is also a recipient of the Air Force Commander Scholarship from RPI, and the Leadership Scholarship at RPI, which provides her a full ride plus salary.
Outside of school she enjoys Horseback Riding at the Bennington Pony Club, and she works for Otto’s Country Store in Lake St. Catherine, Vermont.
Sydney is the daughter of Catherine and Bill Luke of White Creek, New York.
Janessa Katherine Leva
Janessa is graduating seventh in her class with a grade point average of 96.145 percent. She has participated in Art club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Janessa has been a scholar-athlete for all four years of high school and played soccer, and lacrosse. She was also on the competition cheerleading team, where she was a captain.
Janessa is the recipient of the Triple Crown Athlete Award and plans to attend Sacred Heart University in the fall. She will be studying Biology on the pre-med track.
Janessa is the daughter of Marchell Leva of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Clare Elizabeth Myers
Graduating eighth in the Class of 2017 is Clare Myers with a grade point average of 95.751 percent. Clare plans to take part-time classes at RPI in the fall, and take a gap-year overseas in the spring semester.
Clare has served as the vice president for the Class of 2017 during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Panther Post, where she dedicates countless hours to the school newspaper. Clare is also an artist who has received various awards for her work.
When not at school, Clare works for Brown’s Brewing Company in their Troy Taproom.
Clare is the daughter of Tylar Myers of Hoosick Falls, New York and Jessica Rimkunas of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Will Taylor Clifford
With a grade point average of 95.439 percent, Will Clifford earned the ninth spot in the Class of 2017. Will is a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America, having earned the rank of Silver Palm Eagle Scout. He is also a Senior Patrol leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
Will has been a guest columnist in the Panther Post and was one of the 12 students who called an emergency student press conference during the PFOA water crisis. Will has continued to be a vocal advocate for the community.
While attending Hoosac School, Will was awarded the Most Improved Player award for Cross-Country. He also won the Tibbits Citizenship Cup at Hoosac. He has received academic honors at HFCS, and is on the Principal’s List.
In the fall, Will is attending Rochester Institute of Technology to study Computer Engineering.
Outside of school, Will is a lifeguard at the Town of Hoosick Community Pool. He also teaches swimming lessons.
Will is the son of Heather Clifford of Hoosick Falls, New York.
Julia Anne Helft
Rounding out the Top 10 is Julia Helft with a grade point average of 95.197 percent. Julia participates in several extracurricular activities such as Ski Club, Panther Post, and Key Club. She is also the secretary of Student Council and is a member of the National Honor Society where she served as vice president.
Julia is a scholar-athlete and plays lacrosse. She is the recipient of the Key Award and is on the Principal’s List.
In the fall, Julia is attending the University of New Hampshire. Outside of school she works at the Brown Cow Café in Bennington, Vermont, and previously worked at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls, New York.
Julia is the daughter of Scott and Anne Helft of Hoosick Falls, New York. [/private]