The Seal of Civic Readiness program is heading into its second year in the district, and it continues to recognize graduating seniors and their commitment to civic duty. Today, we focus on our third group of seniors receiving this recognition. As we shared earlier this month, 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.
Congratulations on their commitment to civic responsibility.
Allison Gillis
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.”
Gillis: As a part of the Key Club, I have had the opportunity to clean up veterans’ yards each year, and it is a service provided for either a retired veteran or their spouses. They have given so much to our country and doing something to give back was an honor. I want to continue helping older people in need, especially veterans because spending time with them and learning about their lives reminds me what truly is important. I want them to know that they are visible and that their experiences matter.
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.
Gillis: One of the teachers who had a positive impact on me was Ms. Bell (now Mrs. Bettes) in the eighth grade. She was a new teacher when I had her, and her ideas and methods were new and fresh. She related well to her students while ensuring we were successfully learning. I aspire to work with children and plan to use some of the techniques that I learned from her to build positive relationships with children.
Rory McGrattan
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.”
McGrattan: During the holiday season, I volunteered to be Santa for Key Club. The rest of the members and I went around to classrooms in the elementary school passing out candy canes, spreading Christmas joy, and seeing all the kids’ faces light up. I enjoyed being Santa, and I knew I was making their day better. I spoke with two kids whose wishes were for their younger sibling to get out of the hospital, and this touched me. I want to keep that change going. I want to see this world continue to change for the better.
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.
McGrattan: There have been many teachers and FFCS faculty members who have helped me throughout my time in school, but one member who stood out to me is Mrs. Sanges, my eighth-grade English teacher. Mrs. Sanges has played a key role in my school career. She taught me that mistakes are okay to make and that it is not about the mistake itself but how to react and fix it. I was not the best English student throughout my elementary and middle school career but with Mrs. Sange’s help I not only became a better student, but I have become better at things outside of school. She taught me that sometimes you need to work a little harder to achieve your goals in life and school. She also taught me that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. No matter how hard something gets, you never give up and keep pushing. If you do that, you will achieve anything you put your mind to. Mrs. Sanges helped me realize that.
Natalie Spetla
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.”
Spetla: Throughout my time at FFCS, I have been in many clubs and have been involved in all sorts of activities. I believe that the one that made the largest impact on myself, and others involved was cheerleading. Being able to work with the younger girls aspiring to be cheerleaders and work with them to get where they want to be is so incredibly meaningful. Moving forward, I want to be a teacher and work with younger students to have a significant impact on who they become. If younger students do not have people to guide them and push them to the best of their abilities, they are not going to get as far as they would if you were by their side.
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.
Spetla: As we approach graduation, and it becomes increasingly surreal, I cannot stop reflecting on all these years and how fast time has passed. Over my time here at FFCS, I have had so many amazing experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. Many teachers in this school have made a profound impact on me, but Mrs. Palandro has gone above and beyond to make sure I am okay. My entire junior year she has made not only my life special but gave me a reason to look forward to coming to school. The way she teaches, her tone, and her personality have such a big impact on how students view her, and all of these things (plus more) are not only what make her an amazing teacher, but an example of who I want to be as a teacher. She plays a large part in my inspiration to become a teacher.
Madeline Wilmot
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.”
Wilmot: I feel like “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” is meaningful to me because every day I see someone struggling, whether it is someone I know or do not know. I have donated to nursing homes, families in need or who have lost their homes, and donated to shelters. I feel like it shows that one kind word can put a smile on someone’s face, and if you put a smile on their face then they are likely to put a smile on somebody else’s. It just sums up to be kind you never know what someone is going through. One word or action could significantly change their day.
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.
Wilmot: I’d like to give a big shoutout to Ms. Palmer. She has helped me in ways a teacher has never done before by giving me advice as a teacher, advice as a best friend, or just from an adult perspective. I struggled with English throughout my 11 years at Fonda and Ms. Palmer has shown me the diverse ways in which an English class works and made it an interactive learning experience.
Elizabeth Vosburgh
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think about diverse 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.”
Vosburgh: I worked as a tutor for elementary school students and ran an SAT prep class. I want to “be the change” because I want to help others succeed and make the world a better place. Everybody deserves to feel special and cared for, and I want to help make that happen.
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.
Vosburgh: Mrs. DiNatale has been one of the most influential figures over the last four years. She has mentored me through three science courses and opened my eyes to so many new opportunities that I never thought were possible.