Community shows ‘warmth' for Weedsport graduates

By David Wilcox / The Citizen

Saturday, June 28, 2008 12:05 AM EDT

WEEDSPORT - With more than 300 people saluting Weedsport High School's Class of 2008 Friday, the festivities felt more like a community celebration than a private occasion for friends and parents.
“The community has a great warmth for the school,” said interim principal Helen White as she helped students untangle their tassels prior to the procession. “They come to so many events, from the Veterans Day festivities to the Memorial Day parade.”

That audience watched the school's 83-member senior class make its final mandated appearance at the building that's been their second home for several years. While reflecting upon that shared past, each student now prepares to take a unique new course.

Cori Hallock and Katelyn Spingler will continue working in the Weedsport area. Hallock will hold onto her memory of setting off the fire alarm in the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES building during early childhood development class.

Graduates Mackenzie Frank, Nate Williams and Nik Terry appreciate the efforts of physics instructor Ranald Bleakley to lighten up their classes with fun activities.

Ken Doney looks forward to joining the U.S. Marine Corps and working in the meantime. For him, moments like his setting fire to a homework assignment in a mid-class act of frustration with a teacher will linger long after his high school departure.

“We've made amends,” Doney said. “Thanks to the teachers for putting up with us.”

Several students look forward to continuing their education at college. Katie Scarbrough will attend Towson University in Baltimore to study a major in the field of math or science. Dan Gillette seeks to build upon his work at a Weedsport dairy farm by taking classes in dairy management at Morrisville State College. And valedictorian Kathryn McCafferty expressed in her speech to the audience her eagerness to experience college the wider world beyond Weedsport at college.

“I'll be sad to see them go,” said music teacher Aislinn Call. “They're a very smart, high-performing class.”

The recent rush of senior activities allowed the class to savor its final moments together as students, but within the close-knit community of Weedsport, they expect to see just about everyone again.

Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net

Class notes

Valedictorian: Gabriel Hayes

Salutatorian: Abigail Reese

Graduating class: 297

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