Category: Jr./Sr. High News

Attention Fort Plain High School families: Lifetouch school picture retake day for the high school is Monday, Dec. 20.

Picture envelopes are available in the main office. Parents can also visit mylifetouch.com and enter picture day ID: EVT3CN8WG

Please contact Mrs. Linda Cole with any questions at linda.cole@fortplain.org.

Attention Hilltopper fans: Fort Plain student-athletes are being provided with passes for spectators at this season’s home games per guidelines issued by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Each Fort Plain athlete will receive four (4) spectator passes for home games, and two (2) spectator passes for away games. Home passes are white, and away passes are purple. Please present passes and check in at the table in the lobby by the Harry Hoag gym.

Limited seating will be available on the bleachers behind the players’ benches. Home fans may also sit in the bleachers by the cheerleaders. Guests will be seated on the bleachers opposite the home team. Chaperones will be available to guide spectators to proper seats.

As a reminder, masks must be worn properly at all on-campus activities. Masks will be available at the front table. Anyone refusing to wear a mask will be asked to leave. Please practice social distancing (3 feet) when around non-family members.

Fort Plain cheerleaders will be performing at home games only.

There will be no admission charge and no concession stand. Food or drink is not allowed in the gym except for players and coaches.

For Hilltopper fans who would like to view virtually, links to live streams and recordings of home games are posted on this website’s View Sports Online page. Check the WAC website for other schools’ streaming links.

For WAC events held at other schools, please check with the host’s school’s website or athletic office regarding their spectator policy. Passes must be presented for entry to sporting events at any school.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to provide opportunities for students and their families to continue to safely enjoy athletics and other activities at our schools.

Please direct any questions to Athletic Director Charlie Karker at charlie.karker@fortplain.org, (518) 993-4000, ext. #2134.

The FPHS Topper Store popcorn machine is back in business, thanks to some Hilltopper teamwork and very talented students.

“Our popcorn machine was in need of a cart,” said Wendy Stokna, business education teacher and work-based learning coordinator. “We had the machine, but no safe way to transport or display merchandise.

“Students from Mr. Heroth’s Tech and Design class solved that problem by designing and creating a cart for the popcorn machine. After listening to design requests, his students went to work developing the design, submitting the design for approval, and then putting the design into production,” Stokna said.

“We are now thrilled to have the machine back at the Topper Store!”

The Tech and Design students built the cart from the ground up – fabricating it from raw materials and finishing it with bright red paint. The completed, custom-designed cart holds the popcorn machine securely, can be moved easily and features fitted, on-board sliding trays and a storage cabinet for displaying the popcorn and storing supplies.

Stokna noted that Work-Based Learning students benefit from working at the Topper Store when it is open and from working on all of the behind-the-scenes activities, including making and bagging popcorn, cleaning the machine, staffing, tracking sales, keeping store records, and promoting sales.

“Thank you Mr. Heroth and Tech and Design Students – great job!”

Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School is proud to announce that 89 students were named to the Honor Roll and 111 students were named to the Principal’s List for the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year. To achieve Principal’s List, a student must earn an average of 89.445 or higher. To achieve Honor Roll, a student must earn an average between 84.445 and 89.444.

Congratulations to all of the students listed below.

Honor Roll

Grade 7
Ziva Barber
Kayden Battisti
Trinity Belliveau
Faith Clark
Keagan Dodson
Nathalieann Hisert
Landon Kretser
Karissa Lambert
Shawn Madden
Kaylee Minckler
Brodie Poultney
Trent Reynolds
Heather Rulison
Sage Smith
Brady Spaulding
Peyton Spicci
Riley Spraker
Jordan Thackrah

Grade 8
Ezra Brown
NyKisha Brown
Logan Burgess
Isaac Clark
Madison Clayburn
Breyanna Gilot
Isis Hammond
Devon Lambert
Daniel Lancaster
Grace McFee
Liberty Pipero
Bradley Rumrill
Nicholas Skiffington

Grade 9
Kaylie Field
Cris-John Fuhs
Serenity Johnson
Morgan McArthur
Emily Rood
Chloee St.Louis
Madison Stuart
Calen Van Alstine
Breidyn Wall
Dustin Welch

Grade 10
Carter Baldwin
Karissa Battisti
Kelsey Buley
Kaeden David
Courtney Euler
Jordan Hillsgrove
Ethan Hubbard
Monika Kulczynski
Sadie Mollel
Darius Priddle
Gracelynn Rice
Joseph Sherman
Payton Skiffington
Breanna Steinhauer
Delana Tracki
Marissa Wilder

Grade 11
Adrian Benson
Americus Cotton
Madison Delgado
Alexis Euler
Andra Fuhs
Iyanna Gilot
Jacen Grassel
Alexandra Handy
Madeline Heroth
Vivian Nunez
Kaitlyn Parker
Gavin Richards
Raul Rivera III
Kristin Sanders
Alyza Scott
Gavin Smith
Page Stone
Savonna Tyler
Aleigha Van Alstine
Phoebe Wagner-Gollinger
Jeffrey Wilday

Grade 12
McKenzie Battisti
Nicholas Blowers
Laura Chambers
Dakota Cresong
Emma Karker
Patrick LeMoine
Hunter Lounsberry
Morgan Morey
Bradyn Myers
Clayton Welch
Johnathan Williams

Principal’s List

Grade 7
Jordyn Best
Gamliel Brackett
Aubry Brant
Kala Clapper
Bryellah D’Arcangelis
Aaliyah Delgado
Deegan Fountain
Jeremy Gebhardt
Mason Gray
Jansheen Haider
Brayden Hakes
Lyllie Handy
Hailey Hayes
Levi Hext
Brooke Jones
Jay Kwasny
Lilly Lapi
Madison Lewis
Gavin Massie
Elle Nare
Faith Narzymski
Alexis Palmeri
Jonathan Palmeri
Zionna Robarge
Kendra Sackett
Larry Sanders III
Silas Smith
Olivia Sweet
Landon VanGorder
Cheyanne Wall

Grade 8
Ian Burns
Josephia Carcasole
Owen Castellano
Emma Cook
Reanna Germond
Koby Herron
McKenna Karker
Dylan Keane
Alexander Lamphere
Kyera Murray
Constance Narzymski
Taylor Potter
Bailie Richardson
Morgan Stock
Jayde TenEyck
Dawson Tracki

Grade 9
Nathan Benson
Zachary Briggs
Jordan Brown
Dakota Cooper
Kaedence David
Yunus Demir
Dakota Dodson
James Douglas
Alexander Ellis
Ashlynn Hart
Vienna Jackson
Payton Landry
Jasmine Lapi
Damien Massie
Asaiah Muha
Xavier Rivera
Nevaeh Rivers
Adriyanna Rouse
Brandon Schuyler

Grade 10
Mason Cook
Aidan Guile
Vandwane Hisert
Brady Keane
Michael Palmeri
Matthew Paul
Devan Sanders
Alex Smith
James Thomas
Austin VanGorder

Grade 11
Cameron David
Stephen Gray
Rylee Herron
Ethan Kilmartin
Brianna Krutz
Anthony Paradiso
Mayreni Quiroz-Romero
Alex Rivkowich
Joseph Stinebrickner III
Natalie Thibodeau

Grade 12
Bryce Anderson
Monique Cool
Erin Crouse
Jacob Curtis
Brandon Dygert
Sarah Florian
Keagen Ford
Michael Harris Jr.
Jaden Hillsgrove
Hailey Hogan
Kerri Johnson
Tucker Jones
Robert Jordan
Shantel Kretser
Owin Landry
Griffin MaGinnis
Tyrell Martin
Braeden Mosher
Talia Narzymski
Emma Oldick
Kasidy Rouse
Lawrence Sinisi
Estee Smith
Levi Thomas
Robert Trumbull
Cheyanne Wahl

Corporal Richards from the Fort Plain Police Department gave an engaging demonstration of his crime technician skills in Dale Smith’s and Kevin Bogus’ Forensics and Criminology class. Corporal Richards showed students how crime techs in the field lift prints off everyday items like windows, water bottles and even dust.

“The students learned it is not as easy as it looks on TV, but it is a very important duty in catching the bad guys,” Bogus said.

Congratulations to Canajoharie-Fort Plain cross country team member Olivia Schaffer, who finished third in the Class D race at the Sectional Meet in Saratoga Springs on Friday, Nov. 5, and then went on to place 13th at the Class D State Meet at Chenango Valley State Park on Saturday, Nov. 13. Olivia is a junior from Canajoharie.

Fort Plain High School Class of 2011 graduate Chelsea Koch has a lot to share with the current students of her alma mater. A microbiologist with New York State by day, she is also the author of “Creatures Most Vile,” a novel for young adults.

Chelsea, who writes under the name Chelsea Lauren, visited with students in Lisa Trembley’s English classes at Fort Plain High School on Nov. 12, including the English 11 Honors class, where she once was a student. She talked with the students about writing, publishing and what she likes to read herself, as well as sharing a bit about her background.

Chelsea talked to the morning classes, reading part of her novel to each class, and answered questions posed by the students. Four students won signed copies of her novel: Natalie Thibodeau, Bree Cassanova, Vincent Lince and Isaac Paul, and all of the students received bookmarks.

“Seeing our students succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher,” Trembley said. “Today, I got to share that reward with my current students when one of my talented former students came in to share her debut novel called ‘Creatures Most Vile’. Through her strong anti-hero, Anora, and through her own experiences, Chelsea encouraged the students to be true to themselves and to fight for what they want in their own lives.”

Chelsea has fond memories of her high school classes, particularly English, which prepared her well for college and beyond.

“As a former student in Mrs. Trembley’s English class, what I remember most is her enthusiasm and encouragement of creative writing,” Chelsea said. “The writing skills she taught provided a great foundation going into college English courses.”

After graduating from Fort Plain, Chelsea attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, where she double-majored in biology and chemistry. Hartwick is a liberal arts college, which means students must take courses in a wide variety of subjects for a well-rounded education. Chelsea took an introduction to creative writing course for this requirement, and that is where she developed her love for writing.

Professionally, Chelsea is a food microbiologist with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, where she analyzes various food and dairy products for food-borne pathogens such as e. coli and salmonella. Her work has contributed to recalls and helps keep food on the shelves safe for consumers.

In addition to writing, Chelsea enjoys crafting and watching monster movies, the latter of which inspired her novel. She is working on a second book of “Creatures Most Vile” and a science fiction project for middle grade readers.

Chelsea lives in Fort Plain.

Fort Plain High School students and staff performed 75,776 push ups over 22 consecutive school days, completing their 22Challenge to raise awareness of veteran suicide on Nov. 10, 2021, with VFW Commander Tom Ellwood on the gym floor leading the push-up count.

Fort Plain VFW Commander Ellwood and Jr. Vice Commander Laurence Maynard visited with students in their physical education classes the day before Veterans Day for the culmination of their challenge. Twenty-two veterans die by suicide each day, thus the name 22Challenge.

Commanders Ellwood and Maynard talked to the students about the stresses on veterans, including PTSD, that can lead to suicide, and shared their own experiences in the military and as veterans. Both have lost fellow service members and veterans to suicide and are close to individuals currently struggling with PTSD. They told the students that their actions were meaningful.

“Your participation in the 22Challenge made a difference,” Ellwood told the students. “You put a smile on the faces of veterans who are dealing with PTSD.”

“I’ve lost a lot of friends to suicide and it’s not a good thing,” Maynard said.

Ellwood and Maynard also engaged the students, most of whom have service members in their families, in a conversation about opportunities in the armed forces. Maynard shared that he’s been “all over the U.S. and around the world” with the military, visiting different places and learning about different cultures.

At the end of their class period, the students were given red silk poppies by the VFW commanders in honor of fallen veterans.

Fort Plain Physical Education teachers Casey Russom and Allie Swing, along with social studies teacher Brad Niles and art teacher Geoff Snyder, led all of the school’s 7-12th grade students through the 22Challenge during October and November, and Commander Ellwood sent the students inspiring daily video clips.

“Our veterans really appreciated your participation,” Ellwood told the students and their teachers. “Hopefully we are turning the corner on veteran suicide. Thank you.”

Read Oct. 20, 2021 article

Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 7th Grade Team has developed a monthly award for students who are caught “doing their job.”

According to teacher Dale Smith, “Students who most demonstrate characteristics in one or more of the following categories will receive a Most Valuable Student award for the month:

• Responsibility/accountability
• Kindness
• Academics
• Good citizenship
• School pride
• Perseverance
• Self-control
• Helpful to peers/teachers, and
• Accepting of new challenges.”

September 2021’s award winner is Faith Narzymski. October 2021’s award winner is Aubry Brant. Congratulations!

Faith Narzymski

Aubry Brant

Oct. 18-22, 2021 is New York State School Boards Recognition Week, and when Fort Plain’s Board of Education met on Oct. 20, the students in Cory Cooley’s Cheap Eats – Eating on a Dime class made sure they were properly honored.

The high school class prepared a spread of affordable yet tasty food for the Board and presented them with a combination thank you message and menu that read:

“In recognition of all your efforts and dedication to the students, staff and community of Fort Plain, we thank you and welcome you to celebrate with a few bits of delish! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to show you just what we can do with a little time, some creative thinking and a budget.

The principle premise for our class is to make our food dollars stretch, while minimizing waste, maximizing resources, and eating delicious and minimally processed food. The items that you are sampling today are the combined efforts of donated items, grocery sales and comparison shopping.

On behalf of Cheap Eats,
THANK YOU & ENJOY!

Amber Hayes, Amber Dillenbeck, Lauranne Chambers, Kerri Johnson, Jaden Hillsgrove, Michael Harris, Tyson Nichols, Kaitlyn Dodson, Cameron Kaye, Tyler Mykel

MENU ITEMS

• Pepper jelly cream cheese with crackers – Cost: $2.97
  -Students made pepper jelly with donated Jalapenos from a colleague.
• Warm Autumn Brie with Apricot and Jalapeno Salt Cost: $4.23
  – Students dried Jalapenos in the air fryer and made a seasoning salt for the Brie.
• Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread  – Cost: $1.93
  -Students processed donated zucchini from MANY sources and froze it for later use.
• Apple and Walnut Coffee Cake – Cost: $5.42
  -Students processed donated apples and took advantage of sale items.
• Apple and Bacon Scones –  Cost: $4.50
  -Students processed apples, took advantage of sale items and used what we had on hand.
• Sweet and Sticky Bacon Roll Ups – Cost: $6.37
  -Students took advantage of sale items to come up with a reasonable and tasty treat.
• TOTAL: $25.43″

According to their Cheap Eats – Eating on a Dime teacher, “Students are painfully aware that food budgets are the first expense to be cut short when everyday expenses and emergency expenses crop up. The problem . . . the need to feed your family doesn’t change,” said Cooley.

“With convenience and highly processed foods swamping the market, it is imperative that students learn the skills to not only manage their food dollars, but learn skills to avoid nutrition pitfalls and cook easy and nutritious meals.”

Cooley added, “This experience starts our holiday ‘entertaining on a dime’ units. With the holidays and festivities approaching and all the supply chain shortages and hold-ups, we are taking what we have in stock, what we have processed from the fall harvests, and what is available, and making our food dollars stretch.”

What’s next for the class? Pot Luck Party Planning on a Budget, Thanksgiving leftovers make for great meals . . . soup to stew and beyond, a cookie exchange and appetizer swap from scratch, Game On! (game dinners for a crowd) and more.