The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District proudly announces the Top Ten students for the Class of 2026. Each year, the district recognizes the Top 10 students and highlights their commitment and accomplishments. This year, the Top 10 continues the proud tradition of past classes with students achieving their goals in academics, community outreach, and extracurricular clubs and activities.
Each year, the top four graduates will give speeches at the annual high school commencement ceremony in June.
“Each year, the Top 10 distinguishes the students who have displayed commitment and dedication to being the best in their own individual way,” shared F-F High School Interim Principal Wayne Bell. “It’s a wonderful honor, and we are incredibly pleased to share their achievements with our school community. Congratulations to our Top 10!”
Jayden Taylor (Class Rank: 1)
Jayden Taylor is the daughter of Jennifer Rouse Taylor and Frederick Taylor of Amsterdam, NY. In the fall, she will head to Union College to follow her academic pursuits. Jayden has used her time to engage in programs, clubs, and community events during her time at Fonda-Fultonville. She has been a member of the FFCS Theatrical Company, Yearbook Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, Outdoor Club, Select Chorus, Mixed Chorus, Jazz II, and Pep Band. She has also been a mainstay as a member of the Concert Band, Marching Band, All-County Chorus, and the F-F Outdoor Track and Field team. She is a recipient of the Presidential Merit Scholarship from Union College, has been a four-year member of the Principal’s List, and received a perfect score on the U.S. History Regents examination. Her effort doesn’t stop there. She is a valued member of the school community and has participated in numerous community outreach programs, ranging from volunteering at the Frothingham Library to assisting with the American Red Cross Blood Drive.
Sigourney A. Myles (Class Rank: 2)
Sigourney A. Myles is the daughter of William Myles of Fonda, NY. In the fall, she will be headed to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She has been heavily involved in the district volleyball and softball programs, International Club, Yellow Roses, All-County music (since 2023), and the National Honor Society. She has been on the Principal’s List all throughout her high school career. She was also the recipient of the Coaches’ Award for softball. “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh.
Grace Furnare (Class Rank: 3)
Meet Grace Furnare. She’s the daughter of Patrick and Rebecca Furnare of Fultonville, NY. She will be headed to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the fall. She has been a mainstay on the Principal’s List since her freshman year. Grace has also secured the highest average for the following subject areas: Geometry, Algebra II, Statistics, CHS Pre-Calculus, and Honors Biology. In athletics, she has been named the Offensive Player of the Year for softball (2023), Pitching Ace (2024), Section II All-Star (2025), and to the Times Union’s Small School Second Team (2025). She has also earned second-team division for soccer (2023) and first-team division and WAC for soccer in 2025. She was also recognized in 2023 as a third-team WAC All-Star in 2023. Since 2024, she has been an active member of the wind ensemble, chorus (2022-24), and Concert Band (2022-24). She has also been committed to her community and has lent a hand with the following organizations: St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Fonda Food Pantry, St. Cecilia’s Rummage Sale, and made an impact as part of the Unified Bowling team at FFCSD. “Some chapters hurt, but God still wrote a beautiful story.”
Kyla McRedmond (Class Rank: 4)
Kyla McRedmond is the daughter of Jessica and Joshua McRedmond of
Fultonville, NY. In the fall, she will be attending the State University of New York at Cobleskill. She has been an active student in various clubs and activities since middle school, including Yellow Roses, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Drama Club, Character Council, and the International Club. She has also shown leadership skills as a member of the Key Club (Pres. and Lt. Governor). She has displayed excellence in both Algebra and Geometry, and her favorite quote is: “If you don’t know where you are going, any road can take you there.” – Cheshire Cat.
Anthony McLaughlin (Class Rank: 5)
Anthony McLaughlin is the son of Annette & Dan McLaughlin of Fonda, NY. He will be attending the New York State University at Buffalo in the fall. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do” -John Wooden.
Ryleigh George (Class Rank: 6)
Ryleigh George is the daughter of Alex and Mark George of Fonda, NY. She will receive an Advanced Regents diploma at commencement. Ryleigh will be attending Fulton Montgomery Community College in the fall and then plans to transfer to the State University of New York at Albany. Ms. George has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2024, when she was selected by faculty members for induction. She has also been on All-County for both band and chorus during her time at Fonda-Fultonville. Additionally, she has been a member of the Select Chorus and Wind Ensemble since her freshman year. She has also been an active participant in the International Club since her sophomore year. Outside of school, Ryleigh has been active in her community by volunteering at the Adirondack Baptist Church Nursery, the Soup Kitchen in Schenectady, NY, and hosting clinics for the Little League Softball Clinic. She is also an employee at Walmart, assisting and engaging with shoppers as an Online Grocery Pickup Assistant.
Derek Cornell (Class Rank: 7)
Meet Derek Cornell. He is the son of Amy and Thomas Cornell of Fultonville, NY. He will attend Fulton Montgomery Community College in the fall with plans to continue his education at Clarkson University. Mr. Cornell earned early admittance to Fulton Montgomery Community College. He has been awarded the Clarkson University High School Achievement for 2024-25 and held the highest average for Algebra II in 2023-24.
Kayla Gulick (Class Rank: 8)
Meet Kayla Gulick. She’s the daughter of Jill and Stephen Gulick from Fultonville, NY. Ms. Gulick will be attending Fulton-Montgomery Community College in the fall. Kayla has been involved in school activities throughout her time at FFCSD. She has been actively involved with Yellow Roses, even serving as president, and has been a member of the student government. She is also vice president of her class, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Wind Ensemble and Select Chorus over the years, and has been dedicated to the Unified Sports program, working alongside teams that include the Unified Bocce and Unified Bowling. She is also involved in the International Club and recently completed her work in the New Visions program. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Roll throughout her high school career. Her personal quote as she leaves behind FFCSD: “I would like to thank FFCS for all the opportunities they have given me. This is a great school and a great community. I will miss this chapter of my life, but I am more than ready to move forward.”
Riley Wilson (Class Rank: 9)
Riley Wilson will pursue his love for basketball and academics at Lasell University in Massachusetts this fall. He is the son of Jennifer and Eric Wilson of Johnstown, NY. Riley has had a memorable final season of his varsity
basketball career, when he joined his father and grandfather in the 1,000-career point mark. In addition to his on-court success, he has been on the Principal’s List every quarter during high school. He has been a mainstay on the National Honor Society and has been President of the F-F Student Government since the fall of 2022. He has offered his time to assist others to enjoy their athletic pursuits as a coach and teammate for United Bocce. He has also been a volunteer/mentor in various basketball camps over the last four years. “A dream is nothing but a big challenge you place upon yourself.” – Pete Maravich.
Brendon Epting (Class Rank: 10)
Meet Brendon Epting. Brendon is the son of Amanda Stella and Robert Epting of Fultonville, NY. Brendon will be attending Clarkson University this fall. He has excelled in the classroom, receiving the Excellence in Science Award for Chemistry and the Excellence in Science Award for Anatomy. He was also the recipient of the Clarkson University High School Leadership Award. In addition to his classroom success, Brendon was a member of the Wind Symphony, along with Jazz I & II. “If there’s no path, you make one.”