Category: Jr./Sr. High News
Honoring achievement since 1947: The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain offers awards to any FPHS senior with an average of 75 or above
Fort Plain residents Doris Giovannone Dutcher and Myrna Beck Herb went to college during a time when a formal post-secondary education – be it college, trade school or a formal apprenticeship – wasn’t a given for either gender, and they were able to pursue their dreams with the help of a scholarship.
Since then, they’ve dedicated much of their time – a combined 101 years – paying it forward as leaders of The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain, which was established in 1947 and awards scholarships to Fort Plain High School seniors who have achieved an average of 75 or above through their high school years. A special award is granted to students who have maintained an average of 85 or better for their effort. Myrna is the current president of the Association and Doris is the secretary/treasurer, and both have held leadership positions there for many years.
“The goal of the Scholarship Association of Fort Plain is to assist qualifying seniors to obtain a higher education. Students who have maintained an average of 85 or better are to be rewarded for a job well done, for applying themselves and for doing hard work in achieving during their time in high school,” Doris and Myrna said.
The first scholarship, for $1,000, was awarded in June 1947. Since then, both the scholarship fund and the number of students it has helped have grown impressively. During the past 20 years alone, the Association has awarded $1,382,167 in scholarships to Fort Plain graduates, including $106,000 last June, with more to be presented next month. All a student has to do to apply is complete paperwork that is available from the high school counseling office.
Scholarship marked the start a long and successful business career
In June 1950, Fort Plain High School graduating senior Doris Giovannone received an award from The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain. That fall, she went on to attend Albany Business College, enrolling in their rigorous executive secretarial program. “It was 33 solid weeks without many breaks,” Doris said. “I lived with a family in Albany during college and covered my room and board by babysitting their children and cleaning their house. I had to dust the venetian blinds – I hated that! And I was allowed just one night per week out and had just one weekend off per month.”
After college, Doris went on to a successful career that included positions with the State Office of Teacher Certification, the Harvey Insurance Agency (which later became the Harvey Triumpho Agency); as proprietor of The Pearl Shop, a local dress shop; and with the Shults Insurance Agency, from which she retired at age 62, but then returned to work for part-time. She also became a Notary Public during her time with the Harvey Agency.
Doris became secretary/treasurer of The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain in 1955, the year a scholarship was awarded to Fort Plain High School senior Myrna Herb.
Award helped scuttle homesickness and launch a career teaching local children
Myrna’s older sister, Gloria Beck, had been among two scholarship recipients in 1948, using the award to study at SUNY Albany for a career as an English teacher and guidance counselor. While she had a goal of following her sister into education, Myrna almost didn’t make it through her first semester at SUNY Oneonta.
“I got very homesick when I was away at college,” Myrna said. “I called home one Thursday night and told my father, ‘I just can’t do this anymore.’ He was quiet at first, and then told me if I left college and came home, I would be working in the laundry for the rest of my life. I hated doing laundry! I also thought of the scholarship I had received and about other students, and I decided to stick it out.”
Myrna also lived off-campus during college, in a private home for a fee of $6 per week. She helped pay for her education by “babysitting the six children of an English professor for 75 cents an hour.” Reflecting on her father’s convincing her to stay in college that first semester, Myrna said, “My parents had the confidence in me that I needed to have in myself.” She added that she completed her first year of college “by taking it one day at a time.”
Myrna went on to become an elementary school teacher, first in Canajoharie and then later in Fort Plain, where she taught for 23 years. When her children were young, Myrna worked as a substitute teacher for nine years “everywhere.” She retired from teaching in 1995.
Awarding scholarships since 1947
The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain held its first formal organizational meeting on May 15, 1947, and awarded its first scholarship, $1,000, the following month to Fort Plain graduating senior Helen Brown. The Association’s endowment grew significantly over the years, thanks to the generosity of many donors, both individuals and organizations.
By 1994, the Association had awarded $58,000 in scholarships. In November of that year, the scholarship fund got a big boost when the Association received a bequest from Clifford Abel for $1 million, enabling the presentation of many more annual awards. Mr. Abel was a 1944 Fort Plain High School graduate who served in the Navy, then worked his way through college and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1950. His sister, Janet, also graduated from Fort Plain, in 1950.
A sizable life insurance policy was also left to The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain, and several estates have contributed to the Association’s successful program over the years, including the estates of the Wiles family, Frank and Mary Smith, George Weeks, Lore and Leo Koppel, Thelma Temple, and Dr. Charles Slater, who requested awards be given to students enrolled in an accredited American medical college.
Numerous memorials, merchants, families and individuals have donated to The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain, and their generosity continues. Many of the donors to the scholarship fund are past recipients. “We invite students to become members of the Association and find that many welcome the opportunity to give back,” Doris and Myrna said.
Important notes for today’s students and families about the scholarships
Doris and Myrna noted, “It is very important that every deserving student receives a scholarship. We want to make sure that all who qualify receive an award. All you have to do is fill out the application. We also want everyone to be assured that all applications are strictly confidential, and that we shred the paperwork when it’s no longer needed.”
“The Scholarship Association of Fort Plain is a wonderful and generous organization, and Doris and Myrna are an inspiration for our students because of their commitment, caring and community pride,” said Fort Plain Superintendent of Schools John Bishop. “We want to ensure that every student who qualifies for an award submits an application. Our faculty and staff are reaching out to all qualifying seniors, and we will continue to spread the word among our school community about this very special program.”
The Fort Plain High School Counseling office is ready and able to assist with any questions about the scholarships and the application process. Simply contact Colleen Cushing at colleen.cushing@fortplain.org or (518) 993-4000.
From left, Myrna Herb and Doris Dutcher meeting with Fort Plain Superintendent John Bishop
District residents approve proposed budget and bus proposition, elect 2 to Board of Education
Fort Plain Central School District residents approved a proposed $21.8 million budget for the 2021-22 school year by a vote of 126 to 15 on May 18, 2021.
They also approved a proposition by a vote of 125 to 16 authorizing the district to acquire school vehicles at a maximum cost of $275,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund.
Voters also elected Kimberly Keane (126 votes) and Teresa Karker (121 votes) to serve on the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.
The approved 2021-22 budget maintains all academic programming with no increase in the tax levy. The approved school vehicle purchase proposition also will not have an impact on the tax levy, and it will allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.
“Thank you to all who came out to vote,” said John Bishop, Fort Plain superintendent of schools. “We’re proud of our instructional programs and the services and opportunities we are able to offer our students. We appreciate the community’s support.”
Congrats Coach Phillips!
Fort Plain baseball coach Craig Phillips has been in the media spotlight after achieving 800 career wins on May 18. Known as much for his sense of humor and pranks as for his outstanding coaching of the Hilltoppers and record-breaking wins on the diamond and basketball court (regionally and statewide), Coach Phillips has been the focus of much well-deserved attention this week. Here’s just some of the coverage:
The Daily Gazette:
800 wins for Fort Plain baseball’s Phillips, countless stories for those around him
Spectrum News Albany:
News 10 Albany:
The Leader-Herald:
https://www.leaderherald.com/sports/local-sports/2021/05/phillips-gets-800th-career-victory/
CBS 6, Albany:
https://cbs6albany.com/sports/content/fort-plains-phillips-wins-800th-game-on-the-diamond
Albany Times Union:
https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Fort-Plain-baseball-coach-Craig-Phillips-has-16169667.php
Reminder: No school on May 27 & 28
Reminder: Per the emergency days guidance on the board-approved one-page calendar, Fort Plain Schools will be closed on May 27 and 28 because the district did not use all of our snow days. Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend!
FPHS honors Students of the Month
Congratulations to our Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Students of the Month for April 2021:
7th Grade- Daniel Lancaster
8th Grade- Mariah Deese
9th Grade- Sadie Mollel
10th Grade- Amelia Gallagher
11th Grade- Sarah Florian
12th Grade- Zavia Allen
In the photo above, from left: Sadie, Mariah, Zavia, Sarah, Amelia and Dan
Sheriff Smith presents skateboard crafters with helmets, stickers & safety advice
The weather on Friday, May 14, was as spectacular as the longboard skateboards crafted by 16 Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School 8th grade students, who were presented with helmets, stickers and safety advice by Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith at a ceremony in Wiles Park.
Sheriff Smith was joined by Undersheriff Carl Rust and Sergeant TW Flickinger in making the presentations, which also included certificates for their technology teachers, Kreig Heroth and Ted Arndt. Sheriff Smith, in turn, was presented with his own custom-made longboard, complete with an emergency beacon. The teachers said it was a culmination of all that they – both faculty and students – learned during the project.
After donning their Sheriff-donated helmets, the students road-tested their quick and colorful longboards in the park, experimenting with standing and seated rides and gaining confidence and skill with each ride. Some even wove their longboards around obstacles on a curvy path. Teamwork and encouragement were abundant as the students offered tips and cheered each other on.
The helmets, the project and the day were a big hit with all in attendance, even Superintendent of Schools John Bishop, who took one of the longboards out for a smooth cruise.
Mr. Arndt and Mr. Heroth said that earlier in the year, they thought it would be exciting for the students to build the longboards as a class project. Unlike typical street boards, longboards are used for gracefully cruising around town, on the bike path, etc. They are very long (38 to 45 inches) with a correspondingly long wheelbase. The students worked on the project over several months. Read more about what they learned.
Judging by the success of the 2021 longboard project, there are likely more cool crafted cruisers to be crafted at the high school in the future.
Visit our Facebook Photo Album!
Media coverage:
CBS-6 Albany, Friday, May 14:
Times Union, Sunday, May 16:
FPHS earns high national, area rankings from U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report has awarded Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School high rankings nationally and regionally rankings in its “2021 Best High Schools” report.
Schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School continues to rank high in the national report.
Fort Plain was ranked number one in the Amsterdam, N.Y. metro area, number 467 in New York State, and number 5,470 out of 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Great work, Hilltoppers!
FPHS announces 3rd Q Honor Roll & Principal’s List
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School is proud to announce that 53 students have been named to the Honor Roll and 95 students have been named to the Principal’s List for the third quarter of the 2020-21 school year. The students will be recognized at lunchtime ceremonies on May 6 and 7.
Congratulations to the following students:
Honor Roll
Grade 7
Alexis Buley
Logan Burgess
Emma Cook
Marcus Dunbar-Eller
Reanna Germond
Breyanna Gilot
Jordynn Gomez
Isis Hammond
Koby Herron
Rachel Kamp
Kimberly Kirby
Devon Lambert
Alexander Lamphere
Liberty Pipero
Grade 8
Gabriella Calhoun
Kaedence David
Morgan McArthur
Addison Parsons
Nevaeh Rivers
Emily Rood
Grade 9
Karissa Battisti
Kelsey Buley
Kierstan Horender
Michael Palmeri
Breanna Steinhauer
Devin Wagner
Marissa Wilder
Grade 10
Ryleigh Hart
Madeline Heroth
Brianna Krutz
Mayreni Quiroz-Romero
Joseph Stinebrickner III
Aleigha Van Alstine
Jeffrey Wilday
Grade 11
Nicholas Blowers
Dakota Cresong
Shantel Kretser
Tyrell Martin
Noah Norton
Isaac Paul
Seth Rivkowich
Lawrence Sinisi
Robert Trumbull
Clayton Welch
Johnathan Williams
Grade 12
Manley Baker III
Troy Butler
Sinem Demir
Rebecca Ellis
Krzysztof Kulczynski II
Megan Telfer
Matthew Travis
Zackarie Young
Principal’s List
Grade 7
Ian Burns
Josephia Carcasole
Owen Castellano
McKenna Karker
Dylan Keane
Daniel Lancaster
Grace McFee
Kyera Murray
Constance Narzymski
Taylor Potter
Allyson Rathbun
Bailie Richardson
Bradley Rumrill
Morgan Stock
Dawson Tracki
Grade 8
Zachary Briggs
Jordan Brown
Samantha Darrow
Yunus Demir
Dakota Dodson
James Douglas
Kaylie Field
Hannah French
Adeline Handy
Ashlynn Hart
Vienna Jackson
Payton Landry
Jasmine Lapi
Asaiah Muha
Adriyanna Rouse
Chase Tyler
Dustin Welch
Grade 9
Mariah Aney
Carter Baldwin
Mason Cook
Courtney Euler
Jasmine Fonda
Aidan Guile
Brady Keane
Monika Kulczynski
Matthew Paul
Gracelynn Rice
Payton Skiffington
Alex Smith
Marionna Stephens
Delana Tracki
Vandwane Tulabing
Austin VanGorder
Grade 10
Americus Cotton
Cameron David
Madison Delgado
Andra Fuhs
Stephen Gray
Nura Handy
Rylee Herron
Ethan Kilmartin
Vivian Nunez
Anthony Paradiso
Raul Rivera III
Alex Rivkowich
Kristin Sanders
Natalie Thibodeau
Savonna Tyler
Grade 11
Bryce Anderson
Laura Chambers
Erin Crouse
Jacob Curtis
Brandon Dygert
Sarah Florian
Keagen Ford
Michael Harris Jr.
Hailey Hogan
Robert Jordan
Griffin MaGinnis
Talia Narzymski
Emma Oldick
Estee Smith
Levi Thomas
Cheyanne Wahl
Grade 12
Zavia Allen
Molli Bates
Hannah Briggs
Kristopher Clapper
Evan Crouse
Fredrick Hanford
Tiffany Hazzard
Grace Hoffman
Sarah LaComb
Joseph LeMoine
Sarah Paradiso
Jose Pipero
Justin Schumacher
Sarah Vanasse
Josh Wilder
Seth Wintermute
Seth Wintermute, Patti Jarabek honored with CASDA Scholars Recognition awards
Fort Plain senior Seth Wintermute and Spanish teacher Patti Jarabek have been honored with 2021 Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA) Scholars Recognition awards.
Seth was nominated for the award by Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School counselor Colleen Cushing. He was then asked to nominate a teacher and selected Mrs. Jarabek.
A CASDA website article about the awards said this about Seth’s nomination: “Seth is an outstanding student who will be attending Syracuse University in the fall. A recipient of Syracuse’s Leadership Scholars Award, Seth will be studying Political Philosophy and Political Science.
“While a student at Fort Plain, Seth participated in Track and Field and Cross Country, and held leadership roles on both teams. Seth received the Rensselaer Medal, The Julia Innella Memorial Award, and the Bausch and Lomb Science Award.”
About Patti Jarabek, CASDA said, “Mrs. Jarabek has been teaching Spanish for the Fort Plain Central School District for 29 years, influencing the lives of hundreds of students. Seth chose to recognize Mrs. Jarabek as the teacher that has had the most significant influence on his education because, in his words, ‘her class and guidance has helped me immensely through my career in high school and I would like the opportunity to thank her for that.’”
Congratulations Seth and Mrs. Jarabek!
Senior’s graphic project educates classmates about careers
A Fort Plain High School senior’s creative and information-packed graphic display project is serving as a resource to educate fellow students about more than a dozen career clusters and the job opportunities they offer.
Justin Schumacher, a student in the high school’s work-based learning program, produced the educational graphics as part of his work-based learning project as a teaching assistant.
“Justin used skills learned in school and applied them to a work setting,” teacher Wendy Stokna said. “His focus on quality work and patience was a top priority in this experience.”
The graphics are displayed in Mrs. Stokna’s classroom to remind all students about the 16 career clusters and types of work that each contains. Justin researched the careers using the O*Net resource and decided on the career image that he thought would best represent each cluster.
“In this experience,” Mrs. Stokna said, “he learned about editing and proofing his work to produce the best result. He has a natural talent for using technology and remembering facts that served him well throughout this learning experience.”