Category: Jr./Sr. High News
Sign up for fall sports
Attention Fort Plain student athletes: Sign up now for fall 2021 sports.
Just visit this link and complete a short form.
High school sports start on August 23, 2021, and modified sports start on August 30.
Go Hilltoppers!
Athletes honored at 2020-21 Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to all Fort Plain Central School student-athletes for a great year! The 2020-21 Athletic Awards ceremony was held June 21 in the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, per new state guidelines, to recognize athletes for their many academic and sports achievements. The Fort Plain Board of Education sponsors the 2nd Effort Awards in addition to the Senior Sportsmanship Awards and the Outstanding Underclassmen Awards.
At the ceremony, welcome and opening remarks were made by John Bishop, the Fort Plain Central School Superintendent. Awards included the following.
The following teams were honored as NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete academic teams, for maintaining high academic averages while showing good sportsmanship:
- Golf
- Girls and Boys Cross Country
- Girls and Boys Bowling
- Girls and Boys Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Swimming
- Football
- Volleyball
- Girls and Boys Soccer
- Girls and Boys Track
- Softball
- Baseball
Fall season awards
- Golf: Most Valuable Golfer WAC Mohawk Division for the team – Evan Crouse
2nd Effort Award- Brady Keane
Coaches Award- Owin Landry - Cross Country: Most Valuable Girl Runners- Canjo- Olivia Schaffer & FP- Emma Karker
Most Valuable Boys Runner- Canjo- Ty Perue & FP- Seth Wintermute
2nd Effort Award- Canjo- Sophie Xiao & Mike Barlow
FP- Natalie Thibodeau & Mike Harris Jr.
Winter season awards
- Girls Bowling: 2nd Effort Award- Sarah Paradiso
- Boys Bowling: 2nd Effort- Anthony Paradiso
- Girls Basketball: 2nd Effort Award- Tiffany Hazzard
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Marissa Wilder
Rebounding Award- Erin Crouse - Boys Basketball: 2nd Effort Award- Stephen Gray
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Estee Smith - Wrestling: 2nd Effort Award- Seth Richardson
- Swimming: 2nd Effort Award- Matt Travis
- Cheerleading: 2nd Effort Award- Hannah Briggs
Fall 2 season awards:
- Football: 2nd Effort Award- Noah Norton
- Girls Soccer: 2nd Effort Award- Emma Oldick
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Madison Delgado - Boys Soccer: 2nd Effort Award- Stephen Gray
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Kaleb Gallt - Volleyball: 2nd Effort Award- Zavia Allen
Senior Award- Sarah Paradiso
Spring season awards:
- Softball: 2nd Effort Award- Ryleigh Hart
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Kelsey Buley - Girls Track: 2nd Effort Award- Natalie Thibodeau
Track Award- Emma Karker
Field Awards- Sarah Paradiso & Sarah Florian - Boys Track: 2nd Effort Award- Tyrell Martin
Track Award- Clayton Welch
Field Award- Howie Kelley
Track & Field Award- Seth Richardson - Baseball: 2nd Effort Award- Manley Baker III
D’Arcangelis Super-Sub Award- Bryce Anderson
Rookie of the Year- Austin Van Gorder & Stephen Gray
Cy Young Pitching Award (lowest ERA)- Troy Butler
Highest Batting Average- Troy Butler
Rich Bower Memorial Baseball Award- Troy Butler - Noah Fredericks Senior Girl Track Award- Sarah Paradiso
- Noah Fredericks Senior Boy Track Award- Seth Wintermute
- Rich Bower Memorial Cross Country & Track Award- Seth Wintermute
- Board Of Education Senior Sportsmanship Awards- Tiffany Hazzard & Evan Crouse
- Fort Plain Coaches Most Improved Awards- Erin Crouse & Martin Nemecek III
- Board of Education Outstanding Underclassman Awards- Sarah Florian & Robert Jordan
- William Doerrer & Son Memorial Outstanding Senior Athlete Awards- Sarah Paradiso & Matthew Travis
FPHS 4th Q Principal’s List & Honor Roll announced
Congratulations to the following Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School students for achieving Principal’s List and Honor Roll during the 4th quarter of the 2020-21 school year.
Principal’s List
7th grade
Ian Burns
Josephia Carcasole
Owen Castellano
Isaac Clark
Koby Herron
McKenna Karker
Dylan Keane
Daniel Lancaster
Kyera Murray
Constance Narzymski
Taylor Potter
Bailie Richardson
Morgan Stock
Dawson Tracki
8th grade
Jordan Brown
Yunus Demir
Dakota Dodson
James Douglas
Kaylie Field
Hannah French
Ashlynn Hart
Vienna Jackson
Payton Landry
Jasmine Lapi
Adriyanna Rouse
Dustin Welch
9th grade
Mariah Aney
Mason Cook
Courtney Euler
Aidan Guile
Kierstan Horender
Brady Keane
Sadie Mollel
Michael Palmeri
Matthew Paul
Gracelynn Rice
Alex Smith
Marionna Stephens
Vandwane Tulabing
Austin VanGorder
Marissa Wilder
10th grade
Americus Cotton
Cameron David
Madison Delgado
Andra Fuhs
Stephen Gray
Rylee Herron
Ethan Kilmartin
Anthony Paradiso
Raul Rivera III
Alex Rivkowich
Natalie Thibodeau
Jeffrey Wilday
11th grade
Laura Chambers
Erin Crouse
Brandon Dygert
Sarah Florian
Keagen Ford
Michael Harris Jr.
Hailey Hogan
Robert Jordan
Shantel Kretser
Griffin MaGinnis
Talia Narzymski
Noah Norton
Emma Oldick
Seth Rivkowich
Estee Smith
Levi Thomas
Cheyanne Wahl
12th grade
Zavia Allen
Molli Bates
Hannah Briggs
Kristopher Clapper
Kyle Cook
Evan Crouse
Sinem Demir
Fredrick Hanford
Tiffany Hazzard
Grace Hoffman
Sarah LaComb
Sarah Paradiso
Jose Pipero
Justin Schumacher
Richard Spicci Jr.
Sarah Vanasse
Seth Wintermute
Honor Roll
7th grade
Alexis Buley
Emma Cook
Marcus Dunbar-Eller
Daniel Euler
Reanna Germond
Jordynn Gomez
Isis Hammond
Rachel Kamp
Kimberly Kirby
Alexander Lamphere
Grace McFee
Allyson Rathbun
Bradley Rumrill
Summer Trumbull
8th grade
Zachary Briggs
Samantha Darrow
Mariah Deese
Alexander Ellis
Adeline Handy
JulieAnn Kirby
Damien Massie
Jorge Medina
Asaiah Muha
Addison Parsons
Nevaeh Rivers
Emily Rood
Chase Tyler
9th grade
Carter Baldwin
Karissa Battisti
Kelsey Buley
Amelia Cruger
Jasmine Fonda
Devan Sanders
Joseph Sherman
Payton Skiffington
Breanna Steinhauer
James Thomas
Delana Tracki
10th grade
Nura Handy
Ryleigh Hart
Madeline Heroth
Brianna Krutz
Vivian Nunez
Rob Rogers
Kristin Sanders
Savonna Tyler
Aleigha Van Alstine
11th grade
Bryce Anderson
Nicholas Blowers
Dakota Cresong
Jacob Curtis
Tucker Jones
Emma Karker
Owin Landry
Ella Logan
Tyrell Martin
Lawrence Sinisi
Robert Trumbull
Elizabeth VanDycke
Clayton Welch
12th grade
Manley Baker III
Troy Butler
Rebecca Ellis
Krzysztof Kulczynski II
Joseph LeMoine
Megan Telfer
Matthew Travis
Landen Van Alstine
Josh Wilder
View our Class of 2021 Top 10 video
View a video celebrating the Top 10 seniors in the Class of 2021. Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families!
View our graduation online
The Class of 2021 Graduation on June 26 was livestreamed, and a recording may be viewed at:
https://youtu.be/ChjBNGL_bfM
Fort Plain Throwers continue Sectional success
Reported by Brad Niles
Monday, June 7, 2021, was another banner day for the Fort Plain Track & Field Throwers. At the Section 2 Group 5 Field Event Championships held in Berlin, NY, three athletes won Sectional titles, as well as completing other podium worthy finishes. They have carried on the tradition of their predecessors in the throwing events.
In the previous five Track & Field Sectional competitions, there were six championships earned by Fort Plain Throwers. In 2014, Gabby Bridgewater won the girls Shot Put Competition. In 2015, Nate Florian won the boys Discus Title and finished as runner up in Shot Put.
In 2016, Nate Florian again won the Discus Title and was runner up in Shot Put. Rhyonn Ford claimed the girls Shot Put title in 2017 and finished third in Discus. That year Quinn Jones finished second in girls Discus.
2019 saw Hunter Logan sweep both the Shot Put and Discus competitions. Although there was no Sectional competition in 2020, Fort Plain throwers anxiously awaited their return in 2021.
For the 2021 Sectional Championships, Sarah Florian claimed the Discus title with a throw of 99 feet and 1 inch. She also finished 4th in the Shot Put event. Her teammate, Sarah Paradiso, claimed 5th in Discus and 1st in Shot Put. Her competition-winning throw was a career best 31 feet 4 inches. In the boys throwing events, Howie Kelley claimed second in the Boys Shot Put event with a career long throw of 39 feet 9.5 inches. He won the Boys Discus Title with a career best throw of 112 feet and 10 inches.
The Fort Plain Track & Field coaches are proud of these outstanding athletes, as well as all of the athletes on the Track team, both past and present. Everybody has worked to the best of their ability and the positive results speak for themselves. Although season’s ending can be sad, Sectional success makes it easier to wrap up the year!
In photo from left: Sarah Paradiso, Sarah Florian, Howie Kelley and Tyrell Martin
13 inducted into Junior National Honor Society
Personal induction ceremonies into the Junior National Honor Society (NHS) were held June 8-17 for 13 Fort Plain High School juniors and their families.
During each ceremony, readings focused on the Candle of Knowledge, which signifies a tradition of honor that passes along the pillars of leadership, character, scholarship and service. The students then lit candles to signify their commitment to knowledge and learning.
To finalize membership in the Junior NHS, students then recited the National Honor Society pledge, securing their membership. Congratulations to the following Junior NHS inductees:
Erin Crouse
Brandon Dygert
Sarah Florian
Keagen Ford
Hailey Hogan
Tucker Jones
Robert Jordan
Talia Narzymski
Noah Norton
Emma Oldick
Seth Rivkowich
Estee Smith
Levi Thomas
Honoring our retirees
As the school year comes to a close, Fort Plain bids farewell to 10 dedicated employees who are retiring from the district. Collectively, their time here adds up to more than 230 years of service to the school community. Staff and students alike will miss them. Congratulations and best wishes to Mike Cardamone, Nancy Cole, Jean Davis, Bonnie Hanifin, Carol Hecht, Cheryl Lamb, Mary McCall, Loren Miller, Lisa Petty, and Mary VanPatten.
Mike Cardamone joined the Fort Plain school community as a school bus driver in 2006. He has always demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism, and he takes great pride in his work. Mike has always been able to connect with students of all ages. Most particularly, he has been a positive role model for those high school students who attended HFM BOCES. Mike has delayed his plan to retire for the past several years now, mostly because he didn’t want to leave the students. However, the time has now come. In his retirement he will focus on his personal business and his family.
Nancy Cole has over 30 years of experience working in the cleaning industry. She has served Fort Plain Central School District since 2017. Nancy is known for her high cleaning standards and team leadership and for her outgoing personality. She has been a wonderful co-worker and friend to many members of the school community. Retirement will not slow her down. She plans to continue working for the town office, engaging in outdoor adventures and spending time with her family. Her positive attitude and high energy will be greatly missed here at Fort Plain.
Jean Davis is a Fort Plain graduate who has worked in the school for 30 years. Friendly, kind and always willing to help, Jean is the one who will try new recipes with the students in Mrs. Petty’s Life Skills class. She is best known for her creativity, whether it is making treats in the classroom or decorating the hallway with festive colorful displays. While Jean is a self-proclaimed homebody who enjoys gardening, she and her husband, Bob, recently bought a trailer. Their travel plans include some trips to Maine to visit their son and his family.
Bonnie Hanifin is retiring after serving Harry Hoag Elementary School for over two decades. Bonnie is an outstanding educator whose contributions to the school community will never be forgotten. Most recently, she served as an interventionist in the area of mathematics. She worked with students of all ages to develop deeper understanding of math concepts and collaborated with her peers to integrate hands-on learning experiences into every classroom. Harry Hoag will miss Bonnie deeply, and we wish her health and happiness in retirement!
Carol Hecht has been with her Fort Plain family for 12 years. She started in food service, then became the friendly face that greeted everyone when they entered the building at the junior-senior high school. Her kind words, shy smile, patience and willingness to help everyone will be missed. Carol does not have a concrete retirement plan. Long term, she will probably sell her house. She has six children and figures she can stay with each of them for a while. Short term, she wants to visit her son, Joe, who is stationed in Maryland. Carol knew she had to make a change, and she says this is her start.
Cheryl Lamb is a Fort Plain graduate who has served the Fort Plan Central School District for more than 23 years. She has been a jack-of-all-trades working in the library, classroom, study hall, cafeteria and distance learning lab. Two years ago, Cheryl moved to Caroga Lake where she enjoys the beach life. She says she is still young enough to enjoy herself, and that is exactly what she plans to do. On her first day of retirement, Cheryl plans to take her coffee and chair by the water, dig her toes in the sand and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
Mary McCall has been a teacher for 33 years. Besides teaching English, Mary is fluent and certified to teach Russian. We are glad she stuck with English because she has fostered a love of reading in her students, but the biggest lessons the students learn do not come from the books they read, but from the life lessons she instills in all of them. Mary teaches with kindness, wisdom and positivity. While Mary says she loves, loves, loves the kids, the COVID-19 pandemic did her in. She is ready for her next journey . . . which includes getting back to writing. Mary is a novelist, publishing her first book, “Secret Vows,” in 2001. She has written eight novels and already has ideas for her next book. Besides writing, Mary and her husband plan to move closer to Delmar to be near her precious granddaughters.
As a 28-year veteran, Loren Miller has served Fort Plain with great pride and honor. He has received several letters over the years commending him for his excellent work, safe driving skills and his ability to respond quickly and professionally in any situation. Not only has Loren built many relationships with Fort Plain students, after spending several years driving a school bus that traveled among various Amish school buildings, he is highly respected by the Amish community. In addition to being a school bus driver, Loren spent 15 years working as a member of the building and grounds team. Loren is known for his high cleaning standards and painting skills. In retirement he will enjoy spending time with his partner Sharon and their family.
Lisa Petty has been a special education teacher in our school for 25 years. Educators run in her family. In fact, this will be the first time in 54 years that there will not be a Petty (Stortecky) working in our district. Lisa’s influence on our school community has been profound. She and the students in her Life Skills classroom have taught us all valuable lessons of acceptance, kindness and giving. Upon retirement, Lisa wants to try to find a hobby, but if she doesn’t that is okay. She will be busy travelling, visiting her boys (especially her grandson) in Houston, Phoenix and Buffalo . . . and hopefully still baking us cookies! Lisa will enjoy her summer with family in South Carolina. She is a season ticketholder for St. Bonaventure athletics and, post pandemic, she is looking forward to going to some games.
Mary VanPatten has been our librarian for the past 21 years. Books have been her passion. Whenever anyone needed a book recommendation, Mary was always ready. Through Battle of the Books, she encouraged kids to not only read good books, but win a trophy or two along the way. Mary has created a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for students, making the library feel like home. She also worked with teachers to create some amazing projects. While Mary does not have grand retirement plans, she is looking forward to quilting, gardening, sleeping late and spoiling her seven grandchildren. She also has 25 years of clutter to get rid of, so keep an eye on eBay for some bargains.
2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian share a love of the printed word
Books, books and more books. When Fort Plain’s Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian weren’t busy with their studies or playing sports, free time would find them both indulging in their common passion: reading.
“I love to research global history,” Valedictorian Seth Wintermute said. “I’ll read for hours for pleasure about how economics has shaped history in America and Europe. My love for history started when I read one of my mom’s books about the holocaust, ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel, and I became interested in learning different perspectives of different authors. I’m always reading, even as I walk down the hallways in school.”
“If I had the time, I’d spend days on end at Barnes & Noble reading critical essays, or about nature, the Adirondacks, biographies, history, and or the ‘Midnight Sun’ sequel to ‘Twilight’,” said Salutatorian Sarah Paradiso. “I can’t put a book down, no matter how long it is.”
While they love books, Seth and Sarah were involved in Fort Plain athletics. Seth ran with the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He enjoys running during his free time as well, preferably during colder weather. Sarah also ran on the Track and Field team and played on the Volleyball team, a sport she signed a commitment to play at Keuka College. She also played on the Basketball, Softball and Bowling teams.
Seth and Sarah were involved in many high school activities. Seth was active in Class Council, the Environmental Study Team, Prom Committee and National Honor Society. Sarah was also involved in Class Council, Environmental Study Team and National Honor Society, as well as Drama Club, Band, Chorus, Mock Trial, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) organization, and in Girls State and her church choir.
At Keuka College, Sarah will study adolescent education, with a major in History and minor in English. She’s looking forward to the many internship experiences the college offers, and she is also interested in pre-law and political science – and perhaps running for office one day. Becoming an educator may come first, however. “I have a family history of history teachers!” she noted.
Seth will attend Syracuse University in the fall to pursue a double major in Political Science and Political Philosophy. He also has his eye on pre-law studies and law school, and he has a future goal of working in political analysis.
When asked to describe something unusual about himself, Seth said that once he became a senior in high school, he “became very vocal about everything, and when I wasn’t in class, they missed me.
“I’ve been opinionated since birth,” Seth added, “but I didn’t begin speaking up until this year. You need to get your opinion out, because no one will ask for it.”
Sarah’s unique enjoyment is “writing creatively. I have three novellas in the works, and I also like to write historical fiction,” she said. “My brain never stops; once I get started writing, I hate to stop.”
Sarah writes mostly at home, but also enjoys “writing in a coffee shop, or I could write anywhere. I’ll get abstract thoughts in my brain and take down memos. I’ve done some of my most creative writing in the shower or just before bedtime,” she said.
Sarah and Seth both enjoy country music, have happy memories of their time as Fort Plain students, and thank their teachers for all of their support and encouragement. Both said they missed interacting with fellow students and teachers during the pandemic.
Each offered advice for their younger peers.
“Stay ahead of your work,” Seth advised. “Don’t let yourself fall behind.”
“Make sure you find balance in your life,” said Sarah. “Have fun while you can; go to that basketball game!”
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Top Ten
Congratulations to the Fort Plain High School Top Ten students for the Class of 2021. We are proud of your achievements and wish you well in all that lies ahead.
#10 Rachel Zuppardi
#9 Troy Butler
#8 Molli Bates
#7 Howie Kelley
#6 Olivia Kennedy
#5 Evan Crouse
#4 Zavia Allen
#3 Grace Hoffman
#2 Sarah Paradiso, Salutatorian
#1 Seth Wintermute, Valedictorian
Read more about our students
Visit our Senior Spotlight page to read more about all of our students in the Class of 2021