The Seal of Civic Readiness program is heading into its second year in the district, and it continues to highlight graduating seniors and their commitment to civic duty. Students participating in the program will officially receive their award in June.
The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal honor from the NYS Education Department. Students earn the Seal when they attain a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindsets, and civic experiences. The commendation highlights the students’ commitment to civic engagement through participatory government, civic responsibility, and civic values. Students earned the Seal through Social Studies Regents scores, extracurricular activities, electives, and outside-of-school experiences.
This month, we are highlighting the students receiving the Seal. The district has nearly 30 students who will accept the honor from the NYS Education Department. Due to the volume of students in this year’s class receiving the distinction, we will share multiple groups through articles and social media posts throughout May. Students will share why this achievement is important to them and share the individual(s) who made an impact on them during their time at FFCS.
Bella Thum
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about different ways that you have helped others in your life. This could include helping a neighbor, a club, a church, a community event, etc.. Write a few sentences about your experience and why it was meaningful. Explain why you want to continue to “Be the Change”
Thum: I want to be the change in the world. I like to help others in my community and watch others succeed. I enjoy seeing a smile on a person’s face when I can do something for them. Serving my community is one of my main priorities. When you serve your community, you meet so many new people, and interacting with them always puts a smile on my face.
As you approach graduation, it is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped you become the person you are today. Give a shoutout to a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who has made a positive impact on your life and explain why.
Thum: A person who has helped shape me into the person I am today is Elizabeth Fonda, also known as Lyz. She brightens my day. We laugh a lot, and she helps with things I need to know. We also enjoy time with each other outside of school. Lyz has been one of the highlights of my last four years of high school, and she is the best.
Maria Carpenter
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about different ways that you have helped others in your life. This could include helping a neighbor, a club, a church, a community event, etc.. Write a few sentences about your experience and why it was meaningful. Explain why you want to continue to “Be the Change.”
Carpenter: During my days in high school, I’ve been given the gift of tutoring online, helping others with things they struggle with, knowing I was once in those very shoes. Ranging from Mathematics to history, even just to English. Helping others and seeing them understand a subject, even if it’s just explained more easily, helps their confidence. I strive to help others feel more confident and comfortable in the subject area they need help with. I want to “Be the Change” because I started as someone who needed help, struggling in classes, and my teachers and classmates stepped out of their way and helped me. I want to follow that path; I want to help students and kids who are struggling.
As you approach graduation, it is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped you become the person you are today. Give a shoutout to a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who has made a positive impact on your life and explain why.
Carpenter: Many teachers have helped me become who I am today. Ms. Palmer has helped me so much throughout high school. We have talked about life advice, simple chats in the hallway, grades, possible colleges, and obviously, English. She showed me that being a teacher isn’t only teaching; it’s connecting with students where they can be comfortable talking to you about anything. Ms. Palmer showed me that. Another teacher to never forget is Mrs. Thompson. I had her in middle school and was given a chance again in my senior year, where I did my apprenticeship for BOCES with her. She is an amazing teacher who shares her sense of humor with the kids. She always has a smile and is always ready to strike up a conversation. I would also like to recognize Mr. Thompson. I had him in my junior year for standard American History, and then he pushed me and challenged me to join CHS American History. He recognized my potential and wanted me to work towards that. He believed in me. Finally, Mrs. Smith. I would walk into the library, and ask for a book recommendation, and recommendations would turn into genuine heartfelt conversations. All these teachers have greatly encouraged me and everything that I have done, and for that, I am forever thankful to all of them. They are leaving me with lessons that I will forever hold dear.
Sarah Golz
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about different ways that you have helped others in your life. This could include helping a neighbor, a club, a church, a community event, etc.. Write a few sentences about your experience and why it was meaningful. Explain why you want to continue to “Be the Change.”
Golz: Each Christmas, my family lends our animals and also participates as actors in a drive-through nativity scene at my church. Each year, hundreds of people watch and drive through for free while learning about Jesus and his sacrifice. Participating in this is very important and meaningful to my family, and I hope to continue after I graduate and go to college. I want to continue to find other ways to be the change because I find it important.
As you approach graduation, it is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped you become the person you are today. Give a shoutout to a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who has made a positive impact on your life and explain why.
Golz: Although I was only a part of the Fonda-Fultonville family since junior year, a teacher who made a positive impact on me was Mrs. Palandro. I enjoyed her class the most, not because of the subject, but the amazing way she teaches. I’m thankful to have had her as a teacher over the past two years.
Gianna Forsey
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about different ways that you have helped others in your life. This could include helping a neighbor, a club, a church, a community event, etc.. Write a few sentences about your experience and why it was meaningful. Explain why you want to continue to “Be the Change.”
Forsey: I began helping the Mohawk Fire Department’s Volunteer Pancake Breakfast in my junior year. I helped serve tables during their breakfasts. Those breakfasts became the highlight of my months in the winter. I enjoyed talking to the people of the community and raising money with the fire department members. This pushed me to become a support member in the fire department to help the community, and I plan on doing more volunteer work after high school.
As you approach graduation, it is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped you become the person you are today. Give a shoutout to a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who has made a positive impact on your life and explain why.
Forsey: Mrs. Fonda in the guidance office has made a positive impact on me. She assists my best friend and I with everything and always makes us feel comfortable when we ask a question. I love walking into the office and being greeted by her. She is so sweet, and I will miss her and her advice after high school.
Preston Cool
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about different ways that you have helped others in your life. This could include helping a neighbor, a club, a church, a community event, etc.. Write a few sentences about your experience and why it was meaningful. Explain why you want to continue to “Be the Change.”
Cool: I have helped people around me, and sometimes a reward was sent. But I never helped people for a reward, I helped them because no one knows what someone could be going through, and a little help now and then could make a big difference. Remember, helping people is not only improving their day, but it might also improve your own.
As you approach graduation, it is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped you become the person you are today. Give a shoutout to a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who has made a positive impact on your life and explain why.
Cool: A member I would love to shout out is Mr. Therrien. He is the middle and high school art teacher. Since fifth grade, he has not only been my art teacher but my best friend. When creative minds are put together, amazing things can happen. Mr Therrien has always been there for me, allowing my creative mind to open, while also helping me become a more open and better person. Every day I go to Mr Therrien’s classes, and even tho I am not working on the class work, he allows me to pursue my career skills to become a digital graphic designer. I will always be proud to have Mr. Therrien as my art teacher and best friend.