WVCSD EdTalk: June 25, 2025

With just three days to go until commencement, I am proud to continue this season of recognition and celebration with more notable honors and awards that our students have earned.

At Warwick Valley High School, we gathered to honor underclassmen with an awards and honors celebration last Monday. WVHS Principal Georgianna Diopoulos, along with Associate Principals Christopher Fiorentino, Erin Hill-Lewis, and Nicholas Emanuele, distributed more than 40 awards to students, ranging from certificates to scholarships. While some come from the district, many are made available through the generosity and engagement of community groups, private donors, alumni families, colleges and universities, and other sources; thank you, as always, for your support. I hope you will take the time to visit our website’s home page news feed, where a complete list of the awards, donors, and winners can be found.

Students were recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments, leadership, creativity, and service. Congratulations to the underclassmen whose efforts and achievements we celebrated on Monday:

Alfred University Scholars Award: Lily Hennessey-Coyle; Algebra I Award: Kayli Decker; All-State Chorus Award: Abigail Yurchuk; Clarkson University Leadership & Achievement Award: Harrison Annucci; DUSO Math Team Award: Anthony Apuzzo, Elizabeth Cook, James Curtis, Arianna Ovanesian, Meghan Tennant, Abigail Yurchuk; Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award - Parents Club of West Point: Henry Wendell; Excellence in Physical Education: Giacomo Abbate; Health Awards (2nd Semester): Penelope Bieling; Outstanding Achievement & Ability in French University 1: Abigail Yurchuk; Outstanding Achievement & Ability in Mandarin Chinese: Hermia Yang; Outstanding Achievement & Ability in Spanish University 1: Genevieve Boyle; RIT Women in STEM Award: Ariana Ovanesian; RIT Art & Design Award: Morgan Pilieri; RIT Business & Leadership Award: Colin Burke; RIT Computing Medal: Owen Machingo; RIT Humanities & Social Sciences Award: Hailey Foust; RIT Science & Math Award: Dillon Astbury;

RPI Medal: Meghan Tennant; Sage Award: Caralina Cassara; SUNY Orange Sojourner Truth Award: Brianna Bingham, Kayli Decker, Bianka Grzesik, Genesis Martinez, Kadence Redner, Jaylen White; Triple C Award - NYS Attorney General for Commitment, Character, and Courage: Chloe Mazzocca, Hayden McCaskey, Morgan Pilieri, Tyler Ranger; University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award: James Curtis; University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award: Willow Reid; University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Nathan Link; University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology: Derick Ruiz; Warwick Lions Club Charles W. Hawkins Chemistry Award: Nina Cirillo; Warwick Lions Club John B. Wheeler Four-Year Math Award: Abigail Yurchuk; Warwick Lions Club L. J. Stage Memorial Award for Algebra 2: Nina Cirillo; Warwick Lions Club L. J. Stage Memorial Award for Geometry: Beatrix Wendell; Warwick Lions Club Physics Award: Joseph Sanzone; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute Award: Joseph Sanzone.

Next, congratulations to the high school artists who received exemplary marks for their work from the New York State Media Arts Teacher Association (MATA). The students’ work was judged on its uniqueness, quality of content, and powerful messaging, while their artistry and approach were also taken into consideration. To have 37 students achieve exemplary scores is remarkable and speaks to their investment and diligent work, as well as the strength of our fantastic high school arts faculty. Congratulations, Erik Augusta, Sofia Ayupov, Dania Barillas, Scarlett Beltotti, Rocco Beltrone, Brigid Bubenik, Danellen Bussell, Maiya Cardine, John Carter, Eli Cook, Gianna Crescimanno, Monica Cruz, Keene Eicher, Maya Fong, Zoë Harkness, Nina Lavorne, Arthur Liao, Jack Marina, Jaida Martinez, Lulani Mendez, Xavier Nagamatsu, Finbar O'Connor, Alexander Pearce, Madeline Pesta, Riley Portka, Ray Robles, Emma Rudnick, Ashley Ruszkiewicz, Ryan Schipper, Julie Serpe, Dennery Simon, Maggy Smith, Jay Spencer, Brooke Squillante, Helena Stone and Sophia Trone.

MATA also honored Class of 2025 member Sara Venter with its President's Award. Sara submitted an entire catalog of work specifically for consideration for this award, and her creativity, self-expression, and the diligence she has put into building her skills and portfolio paid off. Great job!  

And last but certainly not least, some great news out of Wildcat Country.

Senior lacrosse player Abigail Kadus received the prestigious Jackie Pitts Award, presented by USA Lacrosse to a senior who goes “above and beyond in service to their team, school, and community.” Abigail has been an all-around standout student in Warwick, and it is a delight to recognize her once again. This year alone, Abigail was named a 2024-25 scholar-athlete by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and a 2025 Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Just a couple of weeks ago, she also presented the culmination of her three-year Science Research project. Congrats, Abigail, and good luck in class and on the field at Rowan University next year.

And finally, Junior Luke Beattie won his fifth straight New York State title in the pole vault. And, if that weren’t enough, not long after clearing the winning 16.5 feet at states, Luke ran the anchor lap for our 4x100-meter relay team. They logged a school-best time and came in third overall. Congratulations, Luke, Logan Conley, Ryan Sullivan, and Isaiah Gonzalez. Senior Rachel Venter, already this year’s indoor pole vault champ, finished second in the outdoor event at states.

I am proud of all our students for their accomplishments every year, and I am always grateful to hear about the enjoyment, fulfillment, and growth that students have taken away from their Warwick experiences. It is a joy every year when we get to watch our seniors process to their seats during commencement, knowing that they have embraced the qualities we espouse in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate, and that they are ready – however nervous they may feel now – to tackle whatever comes their way and find their way to anything they want to accomplish.

I look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday for graduation and to celebrate the Class of 2025!

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

Park Avenue Elementary School
In the library, first graders worked on their “pollinator postcards.”  Mr. Spicehandler shared, “We used nonfiction books and multiple research databases (PebbleGo and FactCite) as a whole class to research different pollinators and gather facts about these. After spending time researching pollinators as a class, students created postcards that contained one fact from their research, the source they used, as well as an illustration. Learning to properly research and use unfamiliar methods to conduct that research sets up our young learners to be problem solvers and life-long learners. Creating artifacts to convey what they’ve learned helps students become effective communicators and creators/innovators.”

Fourth-grade teachers shared, “We are very proud of our fourth graders who exemplify the traits of global and ethical citizens. As part of their preparations for the Monarch Butterfly/Pollinator Festival they learned that the milkweed plant provides a space for monarch butterflies to lay their eggs. Consequently, they created milkweed seed balls from potting soil, red clay, water and milkweed seed mix. They placed these in decorated bags with a card attached that gives the reader directions on how to use them.”  The students’ work served as a thoughtful parting gift to attendees of the 2025 Park Avenue Monarch Butterfly Festival.  

Sanfordville Elementary School
Our students have been demonstrating PAWS behaviors throughout this school year, and our awesome PTA was kind enough to help us recognize our PAWS behaviors by sponsoring a whole school assembly, which was put on by former Harlem Globetrotter Corey “The Dribbler” Rich.  Corey is an eight-time Guinness World Record Holder. In addition to showcasing his phenomenal dribbling skills, Corey also spoke to our students about the importance of his “4R’s”  which were Respect, Responsibility, Ready to Learn, and Reading is Power. His “4R’s” tied in nicely with our PAWS expectations. Thank you to our awesome PTA for helping to organize this assembly for our students!

Our Sanfordville students were treated to some cool tunes while they were eating their lunch thanks to the musical talents of the seventh and eighth grade middle school honors symphony.  We are so thankful for the middle school students and their teachers for coming to Sanfordville and playing their musical pieces for our students.

Even though the summer break is right around the corner for our students, they are working all the way up to the end of the year. Our PIE 3/4 classes have prepared their summer bucket lists in anticipation of their upcoming break. Some of the items on their bucket lists included, visiting a theme park, getting a dog, having sleepovers, and practicing for all stars. It sounds like our students have plenty of fun things to look forward to once school lets out for summer break.

Warwick Valley Middle School
Students in Ms. Gouveia’s seventh grade health classes received a hands-on lesson in emergency response, thanks to a visit from Leonora Murphy of the Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Ms. Murphy spent the morning with our health classes, teaching students important first aid techniques and raising awareness about the role of first responders in the community.

During the interactive presentation, students learned how to control bleeding using pressure, bandages, and a tourniquet, skills that could make a critical difference in an emergency. Ms.  Murphy also demonstrated how to create a makeshift sling, explained the proper use of an AED  and had students practice abdominal thrusts using a specialized training vest to simulate helping someone who is choking.

In addition to the practical skills, Ms. Murphy introduced students to the Warwick Junior Ambulance Corps, a program available to community members age 14 and older who are interested in learning more about emergency medical services and volunteering their time. The visit left a strong impression on students and staff alike. Experiences like this not only equip students with valuable life-saving knowledge but also inspire them to consider how they can make a positive impact in their community.

Warwick Valley High School
The Warwick Valley High School Class of 2025 closed out their final day of classes with a joyful and festive Senior Picnic. Under sunny skies, seniors gathered on the school grounds to celebrate this special milestone surrounded by friends and classmates.

The afternoon was filled with fun and laughter as students enjoyed a variety of yard games, friendly competition on a bouncy house obstacle course, and plenty of time to relax and reflect on their years together. The celebration also included a delicious spread of empanadas, followed by a visit from the ice cream truck, which provided the perfect sweet treat to cap off the day.

The Senior Picnic offered a chance for students to unwind, make lasting memories, and enjoy one final afternoon together as a class before graduation festivities.