The top students of Little Falls High School’s Class of 2009 have been named.
Each of these fourteen students has received a grade point average of 90 or above.
Nicholas Sylvester, son of Nick and Joyce Sylvester of Little Falls, is the valedictorian of the Little Falls High School Class of 2009.
A member of National Honor Society as a junior and senior, where he served as banquet chair, and a four-year student government representative, Sylvester was an active participant in the music program. A four-year member of the concert, marching and pep bands, he was first chair alto saxophone as a junior and senior. He was also a New York State School Music Association Festival participant for both piano and saxophone, and performed on the piano during the First Night Celebration. For his musical efforts, Sylvester received the Chancey Endean Memorial Scholarship and the Margaret Johnson Memorial Award from the B# Music Club.
A member of the modified, junior varsity and varsity baseball teams, Sylvester also played Babe Ruth and American Legion summer baseball, helping his Babe Ruth team with the 2006 Mohawk Valley League championship.
Away from music and athletics, Sylvester was active as a sports concession volunteer and on the float and prom committees. He volunteered his time at a church Thanksgiving dinner, delivering plants to hospital patients, participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and serving as a Spanish tutor. He also served as the student representative to the Little Falls City School District Board of Education as a junior and senior.
Among his awards and honors, Sylvester received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award as a junior, and a Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Performance on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a senior. He also received awards for having the highest average in math as a freshman and sophomore, Honors English as a freshman, sophomore and junior, social studies as a freshman and sophomore, Advanced Placement U.S. History as a junior, art as a freshman, sophomore and junior, science as a freshman and sophomore and Spanish as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He also received an honorable mention for his participation in the Herkimer County Community College Art Show and the Scholastic Art Show.
Sylvester will attend Hamilton College in the fall.
Graham Rogers, son of Robert and Constance Rogers of Little Falls, is the salutatorian of the Little Falls High School Class of 2009.
A member of National Honor Society as a junior and senior, where he served as vice president, Rogers was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and helped raise money for children with muscular dystrophy. Rogers was also active in student government, serving not only as a representative, but as student government president, and was class president during his junior year.
As a junior, Rogers served as an assemblyman for American Legion Boys State. That was the same year that he received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award through his participation at the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference. Additionally, Rogers was a group facilitator for the Herkimer County Youth Summit during all four years of high school. He was also active as a member of the prom committee during his junior year, as a concession stand volunteer as a sophomore, junior and senior and as a Spanish and math tutor as a junior and senior.
On the athletic fields, Rogers ran junior varsity and varsity cross country, attending the Manhattan College High School Cross Country Invitational, and played junior varsity and varsity basketball, serving as team captain and speaking captain, and helping his team earn a berth in Sectional play. Rogers also played modified and junior varsity baseball, serving as team captain, as well as varsity baseball, again helping his team qualify for Sectionals. Away from athletics and outside of school, he was active as a Sunday school assistant.
Rogers will attend American University or Syracuse University in the fall to major in political science.
Evan Kuyrkendall, son of Ward and Barbara Kuyrkendall, will attend Albany College of Pharmacy in the fall to major in pharmacy.
A member of National Honor Society as a junior and senior, where he served as president, Kuyrkendall was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a dance/activity night and the National Honor Society banquet.
As a senior, he was chosen for American Legion Boys State and was elected to serve as commissioner of public works. It was also during his senior year that he participated in the Regional Program of Excellence, taking part in a 72-hour pharmacy internship.
Among his academic achievements, Kuyrkendall received awards during his junior year for having an average of 90 or above in pre-calculus and calculus, as well as for having the highest average in Regents Chemistry, Regents Pre-Calculus and Regents Calculus. He was also honored for recording the highest average in living environment, geometry, Algebra 2 and trigonometry as a sophomore, which is the same year that he received an award for recording an average of 90 or above for all four quarters of the school year in Spanish III. As a freshman, he was honored for having the highest average in algebra, technical drawing and CAD, and for showing extraordinary effort in earth science. Additionally, Kuyrkendall received recognition for showing extraordinary effort in English during his freshman, sophomore and junior years, and in global history as a freshman and sophomore. He also received a College Now award for completing one or more college level courses as a junior, as well as the Rensselaer Medal from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in recognition of his outstanding achievements in mathematics and science.
Kuyrkendall was a wide receiver and safety on the football team and a guard on the basketball team as a freshman and sophomore. As a member of the track and field team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, he competed in the triple jump and ran the 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4x100 meters relay. He also helped keep the score book for the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams and assisted in raising funds for the football program. Away from athletics, he helped with the Lock 33 cleanup.
Kateri Molinaro, daughter of Michael and Christa Molinaro of Little Falls, will study biology at Union College in the fall.
President of the Little Falls High School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, Molinaro attended numerous state and national FBLA conferences where she received multiple awards. Additionally, she was a member of National Honor Society, and was selected to perform in All-County Band and Chorus and in Area-All State Chorus. She also participated in the New York State School Music Association Competition in piano and voice. Her musical talents were shared as a member of the select vocal ensemble.
Molinaro was a member of the varsity tennis and football cheerleading teams, as well as the school’s drama club.
Her community service activities include the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Emily Delaney, daughter of Timothy and Patricia Delaney of Little Falls, will study biochemistry at the College of Saint Rose in the fall.
A member of National Honor Society as junior and senior, Delaney was also active in the high school chorus and high school library and drama clubs. A member of the varsity tennis team as a senior, Delaney also earned a varsity letter as a four-year member of the track and field team. In addition to tennis and track and field, Delaney was a member of the soccer team as a freshman and sophomore.
Among her community service activities, Delaney participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Breast Cancer Walk, as well as the Upstate Cerebral Palsy sponsored Walk for Autism, raised funds for Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity, volunteered as a peer tutor and for Community Animal Programs, helped during the Future Business Leaders of America sponsored Easter egg hunt and with the FBLA’s can drive fundraiser for disabled veterans. She also volunteered her time at the Benton Hall Academy Fall and Spring festivals and for the National Honor Society’s Make a Difference Day, Letters to Santa and Shamrocks for Jerry’s Kids programs, as well as for the Little Falls High School Library Club’s tuberous sclerosis fundraiser. As a member of the Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church Youth Group, she volunteered as a sound board operator, as a member of the outreach and drama teams, by baking cookies and caroling, at church car washes, at the church’s soup kitchen and during the church’s plant giveaway and garage sale. She also volunteered at Herkimer Home State Historic Site, helping during the site’s annual history camp and Homestead Day, at the annual Sugaring Off and Colonial Garden Fair events and during the “Liberty’s Hero” event commemorating the life of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer. In addition, she volunteered as a server during the annual Taste of Little Falls and in the clerk’s office at Little Falls Hospital.
A participant in the Union Summer Science Workshop as a senior, Delaney received certificates for outstanding effort in biology as a sophomore, for having an average of 90 or above in Honors English as a junior, for extraordinary effort in geometry as a sophomore, for having the highest average in French III as a sophomore and for having an average of 90 or above in gourmet foods as a freshman.
She also received certificates for participation on the track and field team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, for more than 20 hours of volunteer service at Little Falls Hospital and for her participation in the Breast Cancer Walk, Taste of Little Falls, the disabled veterans can drive and Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity. Delaney was presented with pins for her 10 years of service as a Girl Scout and for being named a scholar athlete in varsity track as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Vanessa Hudson, daughter of Gregory Hudson of St. Johnsville and Laurie Strange of Little Falls, will attend Herkimer County Community College in the fall to major in general studies.
A member of National Honor Society, Hudson was a member of the varsity soccer and volleyball teams, and was selected for All-County Band. She was also a member of the school’s drama club.
Hudson’s community service activities include the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She also took part in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, a program that allows young people to make a significant impact on the problem of world hunger while growing closer to God.
Kevin Walker, son of Sally Cramp of Little Falls, will major in accounting at HCCC in the fall.
A member of the National Honor Society, Walker was a six-year member of the school’s bowling team and a seven-year participant in the USBC bowling league.
He was also elected to serve as a student government representative and was selected as an alternate for American Legion Boys State.
Among the members of this year’s senior class, Walker was voted as having the most school spirit.
Bryanne Perlanski, daughter of Edward and Julie Perlanski of Little Falls, will attend SUNY Cortland in the fall to major in sociology.
A member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Perlanski served as chapter treasurer during the 2008-09 school year and as chapter vice president during the 2006-07 school year. From 2006-08, she served as supervisor of the school newspaper, “Mountie Muse,” and was a planner for the Career Perspectives Project during the 2007-08 school year. From 2005-007, she served as a student government representative and she served as treasurer of the National Honor Society from 2007-09.
As a four-year member of the track and field team, Perlanski was a member of the fourth ranked 4x100 meters relay team in the state in 2006, and was a member the 2006 and 2008 Sectional championship teams. In addition, she was named as a Center State Conference All-Star during her junior year. As member of the varsity field hockey team, Perlanski played on the 2005 Center State Conference championship team. A recipient of multiple scholar athlete awards, she also played junior varsity basketball, varsity soccer and was a member of the varsity indoor track and field team.
Perlanski was an active participant in the youth summit and as a member of the math team and homecoming float and prom committees. She also took part in an internship through attorney Nicholas Macri’s office.
Among her community service activities, Perlanski participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, in the American Heart Association’s Heart Run and Walk and rang the bells for The Salvation Army.
Alania Demeree, daughter of George and Angie Demeree of Little Falls, will attend SUNY Brockport in the fall to major in nursing.
As a four-year member of the varsity field hockey team, Demeree served as team captain during her senior year, starting as a defender on this year’s Class D championship team and on the 2007 and 2008 Class C championship teams.
Among her individual honors, Demeree received an all-tournament team award for outstanding performance throughout the Rome Free Academy Tournament as a senior, was named first team all-conference as a junior and senior and was named all-state as a senior.
In addition to her participation on the school’s field hockey team, Demeree also played with the USA Futures team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and was a member of the Empire State Games team as a junior. As a senior, she played as a member of the Thoroughbred team during a USA Field Hockey National Festival held in California.
On the basketball court she was a member of the school’s junior varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, receiving sportsmanship awards for her play in the Kasner’s Classic Tournament, and played guard for the varsity team as a junior and senior. As a junior, she was a member of a divisional championship team that finished undefeated in the league and qualified for the state regionals. She also took part in the Sienna College Basketball Camp as a sophomore, junior and senior, winning first place for her section in her junior year, and was a member of two first place Canajoharie Basketball Tournament teams as a junior and senior. In addition, she participated in AAU Basketball as a sophomore, traveling and playing games across the state.
As a four-year member of the varsity softball team, Demeree was team captain as a junior. She took part in the team’s Disney Spring Training trips as a freshman and senior, and also played in the Ilion summer tournament and in the Mudville Softball League.
A member of National Honor Society as a junior and senior, Demeree helped raise money for Tiffany Pugliese through “Trick or Treating for Tiffany” as a junior, participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, sold shamrocks for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, volunteered during the Guitar Hero Tournament, helped with the Letters for Santa Program and sold turkeys at the school’s open house to raise money for the National Honor Society’s banquet and for books for children.
As a member of Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church, Demeree volunteered by serving food at The Salvation Army dinner and by preparing food for the Hawaiian dinner. She also volunteered by preparing snacks for Vacation Bible School, wrapping gifts, filing papers as assistant treasurer and participated in the church’s Youth Service Day.
Angela Nicole Trzepacz, daughter of Paul and Michelle Trzepacz, will study childhood education/special education at HCCC in the fall.
A member of the National Honor Society as a junior and senior, serving as secretary, Trzepacz was also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America as a freshman and sophomore. As a member of National Honor Society, she worked at activity night and participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and in Make A Difference Day. As a member of FBLA, she volunteered during the annual senior citizens breakfast. A member of Service Learning as a freshman, Trzepacz volunteered at the elementary school and nursing home as a freshman, at the wrestling tournament as a junior and senior and rang the bells for The Salvation Army as a freshman.
Active in band since fourth grade, playing flute and piccolo, Trzepacz performed in the Canal Celebration and Violet Festival parades, as well as the homecoming and Veterans Day parades, and played at home football games as a freshman. She was selected to perform as a member of the All-County Band as a senior.
Trzepacz was class secretary as a sophomore, served on the homecoming and prom committees and volunteered at the concession stand during home football games. In addition, she was a four-year member of the Girls Athletic Association.
A member of the junior varsity field hockey teams as a freshman, sophomore and junior, she was team captain during her sophomore and junior years. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the RFA Tournament as a sophomore, was a member of a Sectional championship team as a junior and received a scholar athlete award as a junior. As a senior, Trzepacz was a member of the varsity field hockey team and received an honorable mention award.
As a junior varsity member of the basketball cheerleading team as a freshman and sophomore, Trzepacz served as team captain during her sophomore year. She was a member of the varsity team as a junior and senior, serving as captain during her senior year.
Trzepacz was a member of the varsity track and field team as a freshman and senior, helping her team win a league and Sectional title as a freshman.
A member of Holy Family Parish, Trzepacz served as a greeter as a freshman and sophomore, delivered flowers to the elderly as a sophomore, wrote letters to shut-ins as a freshman and sophomore, served food during the church Thanksgiving dinner as a sophomore, read during Mass as a sophomore, made tree decorations for the church Christmas tree as a freshman and sophomore and brought gifts to the front of the church as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Elizabeth Demeree, daughter of Tim and Mary Demeree of Little Falls, will attend SUNY Delhi in the fall to study to become a veterinary technician.
As a member of the National Honor Society as a junior and senior, Demeree helped raise money for Tiffany Pugliese through “Trick or Treating for Tiffany,” participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, sold shamrocks for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, volunteered during the Guitar Hero Tournament, helped with the Letters for Santa Program and sold turkeys at the school’s open house to raise money for the National Honor Society’s banquet and for books for children.
Demeree played guard on the junior varsity basketball team as a freshman, receiving a sportsmanship award for her play in the Kasner’s Classic Tournament. She was a member of the varsity basketball team as a sophomore, junior and senior, playing on divisional championship teams as a sophomore and junior. In addition, the team was undefeated in league play during her sophomore and junior years, qualifying for state regional play in both 2007 and 2008. She also took part in the Sienna College Basketball Camp as a sophomore, junior and senior, winning first place for her section in her junior year, and was a member of three first place Canajoharie Basketball Tournament teams as a sophomore, junior and senior. In addition, she participated in AAU Basketball as a sophomore, traveling and playing games across the state.
A four-year member of the varsity softball team, Demeree served as team captain during her senior year. She took part in the team’s Disney Spring Training trips as a freshman and senior, and also played in the Ilion summer tournament and in the Mudville Softball League.
She received a scholar athlete award as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior for maintaining an average of 90 or above.
Demeree was a four-year member of the varsity field hockey team, starting at forward on this year’s Class D championship team. In addition, she received the sportsmanship award in this year’s Section III Class D championship game.
Active in band as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, Demeree performed as a member of the concert, marching and pep bands. She also served as a prom committee member as a junior and as a student government representative as a sophomore.
A member of Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church, Demeree served as a teacher’s assistant for pre-school children as a sophomore, junior and senior, volunteered as a face painter during Halloween Night as a sophomore, prepared food and washed dishes at the Hawaiian dinner as a freshman, helped with recreation during Vacation Bible School as a sophomore and volunteered during Youth Service Day.
Dylan Hysack, son of David and Kathy Hysack of Fort Plain, will attend Hobart College in the fall.
Hysack was a member of the varsity cross country, basketball and baseball teams at Little Falls High School.
Rachel German, daughter of William and Margarita German of Little Falls, will attend HCCC in the fall to major in social sciences.
A member of the varsity tennis team as a junior and senior, German played doubles. A three-year member of the varsity volleyball team, she played setter as a freshman, sophomore and senior. She was the senior setter and a hitter on the junior varsity volleyball team as a junior, and also played modified volleyball. German played modified and junior varsity basketball as a freshman.
Among her academic accolades, German received a certificate for her work in Honors English as a junior and senior, in Spanish I as a freshman, in Spanish II as a junior, in Spanish III as a senior and in Koine Greek as a freshman and sophomore.
A member of the drama club’s stage crew as junior, German founded the poetry club as a freshman, was a member of the chess club as a freshman and was a news contributor to the school newspaper throughout her four years at Little Falls High School.
In addition, German was a volunteer referee for the American Cancer Society’s Paintball Tournament as a junior and senior, and was a paintball team member as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.
Among her community service activities, German volunteered at Valley Health Services as a freshman and sophomore, at the Herkimer County Humane Society as a sophomore and junior and at the Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. She also volunteered her time for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Herkimer County Habitat for Humanity.
A member of First Baptist Church, German was a nursery attendant, junior church attendant, Vacation Bible School leader, morning worship team member and hand bell choir member throughout her four years of high school. She also sang in the Easter choir as a junior and senior, and volunteered at the community Thanksgiving dinner as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.
Michael R. Marosek, son of Michael and Mary Beth Marosek of Little Falls, will study small business management at HCCC in the fall.
A four-year member of the school’s drama club, Marosek was stage manager for the production of “Murder at Coopersmith Inn,” performed various small roles in “Sweet Charity,” was Prince Dauntless in the school’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” was Sid Sorokin in “The Pajama Game” and was Teen Angel and Johnny Casino in the drama club’s production of “Grease.” He also performed various roles in the Little Falls Rotary Club’s productions of “The Howl and the Pussy Cat” and “Little Falls Diamonds are Forever.”
Marosek was a four-year member of the chorus, where he sang tenor and baritone, and was selected for All-County Choir as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. He was also a member of the volleyball and tennis teams, playing first doubles as a sophomore, second singles as a junior and senior and third singles as a junior.
Canajoharie, N.Y. —
