The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District is proud to announce the top 10 students of the Class of 2021:
- Brianna Ferro
- Jacob Sisco
- Emma VanGorder
- Kianna Hanson
- Lauren Braun
- Amaya Vainauskas
- Trevor Cline
- Mackenzie Lewis
- Meagan Hanson
- William Bullis
The top four graduates will give speeches at the annual high school commencement ceremony in June.
“These 10 young adults are the ideal representation of our student body,” Fonda-Fultonville High School Principal Aaron Grady said. “Whether musician, scholar, artist, community volunteer and/or athlete, each individual has maximized their time here at FFCS. As they move forward to their next great challenge, our entire community is proud to have been a part of their journey. I’m excited to see them face the unknown, to embrace courageous moments, and to spread their vision of hope with others.”
1. Brianna Ferro
Brianna Ferro, the daughter of Michael and Kathleen Ferro, has earned the No. 1 ranking in the Class of 2021. She will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study aerospace engineering. Her dream job is to be a NASA engineer.
Brianna is secretary of the Key Club and a member of the Spanish Club, Select Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and National Honor Society. She performed with the Montgomery County All-County Band and took piano lessons for 11 years. She has a brown belt in martial arts.
“The band program at FFCS has had a major positive impact on my high school experience,” Ferro said. “It allowed me to improve my skills as a musician while also giving me a community of great friends who share my love of music. It’s always rewarding getting to see all of our hard work pay off during a performance, and being able to share the experience with such amazing people has been an incredibly valuable opportunity.”
Brianna was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and was awarded the College Board Small Town Recognition Program. She earned an award for getting a perfect score on the global history Regents and the highest average award in her geometry, algebra 2, pre-calculus and chemistry classes.
2. Jacob Sisco
Jacob Sisco, the son of Brian and Jessica Sisco, has earned the No. 2 ranking in the class. He will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology to study game design and development. His dream job is to work with a distinguished game company, designing action and adventure games.
Jacob is vice president of his class and active in the Key Club, Spanish Club, Jazz Band and Student Government. He was captain of the soccer and basketball teams. He volunteered for the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk and programs at his church while also participating in the Odyssey of the Mind and working a part-time job.
“Key Club and Student Government helped me to become a leader who participates in the community, which is very important in college and after,” Jacob said.
Jacob earned the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Presidential Scholar and National Recognition awards, the Student of Distinction Award and Highest Cumulative Average Award.
3. Emma VanGorder
Emma VanGorder, the daughter of William and Gwen VanGorder, is ranked third in the class. Emma will attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., to study business administration and financial planning. She aspires to run her own financial planning firm.
Emma has been named to the Principal’s List every quarter of her high school career. She earned the highest score on the global history II Regents exam, was named one of FFCS Students for Honorable Qualities, and earned the Key Club President Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology Xerox Award.
“I obtained the most knowledge and skills academically through College in High School classes,” Emma said. “These courses introduced me to large workloads, independent studying and developing time management skills.”
Emma is an officer for the Key Club and a member of the Yellow Roses club for girls. She volunteers and works for the Sacandaga Bible Conference and has a part-time job.
4. Kianna Hanson
Kianna Hanson, the daughter of Anne Payette and Timothy Hanson, is ranked fourth in the class. She will attend the College of Saint Rose and major in biology.
Kianna competed on the FFCS Track & Field and Cross Country teams. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Yellow Roses, Key Club, Spanish Club, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.
Kianna’s achievements include being named to the Principal’s List, Varsity F Award, Scholar Athlete Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation and Creativity Award.
“FFCS gave me the resources to start my college education early with College in the High School courses provided by the collaboration with Fulton-Montgomery Community College,” Kianna said. “I was able to enroll in college-level courses taught by FFCS instructors. The College in the High School courses benefited me the most because they allowed me to experience the challenge of college-level courses and prepare for college.”
5. Lauren Braun
Lauren Braun, the daughter of Scott and Tammy Braun, is ranked fifth in the class. Lauren will attend SUNY Geneseo and major in early childhood education/special education, with a minor in communication sciences and disorders. She aspires to work with children who are deaf or hearing impaired, and children with special needs.
Lauren is a member of the Superintendent’s Student Cabinet, National Honor Society, Yellow Roses, Key Club, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Select Chorus. She played TAPS for flag retirement ceremonies and Memorial Day parades, and volunteered at local nursing homes, the Rustic Red House and for various school events.
“I enjoyed all the clubs I have been a part of, but the most beneficial ones were the FF Theatrical Company, Fo-Jo Swim Team and Jazz Band,” Lauren said. “These clubs helped me to become a confident and creative individual. They strengthened my talents and passions, and inspired me to continue making strong bonds with my teammates, cast and band mates.”
Lauren earned the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass/Susan B. Anthony Humanities Award, Highest Average in Algebra Award, Most Improved Award for Fo-Jo Girls Swim Team, Student of Distinction, Brave Strong Award, performed in the Hartwick College Honor Band and performed for Proctor’s Theater Awards.
6. Amaya Vainauskas
Amaya Vainauskas, the daughter of Koreen and Christopher Vainauskas, is ranked sixth in the class. Amaya will attend Fulton-Montgomery Community College to participate in its nursing program. She aspires to become a pediatric nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.
Amaya was named to the principal’s list every quarter of her high school career and a Student of Distinction. She was captain and first team all star on the soccer team and competed on the indoor track and field team. She was recognized as most improved on both teams in 2019 and named best newcomer in 2018-19 for track and field. She also worked a part-time job.
“All of the college in the high school classes helped me expand my knowledge and prepared me for the college atmosphere,” Amaya said. “The soccer team helped me create bonds and friendships with other people in the school, increased my confidence and sense of leadership, gave me something to look forward to athletically every year. The indoor/outdoor track and field program opened many opportunities and doors for me. It was a positive and challenging atmosphere with great coaches.”
7. Trevor Cline
Trevor Cline, the son of Mark and Angela Cline, is ranked seventh in the class. He will major in biomedical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. His dream job would be to work at Nike headquarters in Portland, Oregon as a biomedical engineer who designs and develops athletic gear and equipment.
Trevor is an all-star triple-threat athlete who earned 14 varsity letters. He competed for the champion cross country and indoor track teams as well as the outdoor track team. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spanish Club and All County Band. He worked a part-time job and volunteered at school sporting events and charity fundraisers.
“Math, science, engineering, cross country and track have guided me to the field of study that I’m choosing to major in,” Trevor said. “The knowledge I have acquired while at FFCS has set a solid foundation for me to build upon during my college career.”
Trevor’s honors include the Presidential Scholarship from RIT, Triple Threat Athlete, Scholar Athlete, Brave Strong Award, Student of Distinction, Principal’s List and the All-Star Award from he New Hartford Jazz Festival for trombone.
8. Mackenzie Lewis
Mackenzie Lewis, the daughter of Jodi Ordon, Jason Lewis, Ron Williams and Diane Lewis, is ranked eighth in the class. She will attend Fulton- Montgomery Community College with hopes of later transferring to a four year university. She will study health sciences with the goal of becoming an oncologist.
Mackenzie flourished in the arts as a member of the marching band, pep band, pit band, wind ensemble and jazz band.
“The music program really helped me throughout high school,” Mackenzie said. “The friends that I’ve gained, along with the skills from performing, have been extremely beneficial for me now and in my future.”
Mackenzie is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She earned status as a Student of Distinction, was named to the Principal’s List all quarters throughout high school, and participated in leadership programs at FMCC. She also works a part-time job and volunteers for Support Your Troops in Glens Falls, various motorcycle memorial services, and has visited veterans in the hospital.
9. Meagan Hanson
Meagan Hanson, the daughter of Gary and Kerri Hanson, is ranked ninth in the class. She is an early admit student at Fulton-Montgomery Community College. She plans to enroll in the college’s two-year nursing program and graduate in 2023 as a registered nurse. She hopes to further continue her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Meagan played volleyball through her entire high school career and received the Most Improved Award in 2019. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Spanish Club. She also works a part-time job.
“I was able to learn the importance of community service and giving back to others within my community through the Key Club,” Meagan said. “Volleyball benefited me by teaching leadership skills, confidence and teamwork, which has prepared me to work well with others in my future jobs.”
“FFCS has definitely prepared me for success,” Meagan said. “Through my years at Fonda-Fultonville, I’ve gotten better at managing my time, which I learned is vital this past year at FM.”
10. William Bullis
William Bullis, the son of William and Candis Bullis, is ranked tenth in the class. He will attend the University at Buffalo to study aerospace engineering. His dream job is to work at SpaceX as a propulsion engineer.
“The Project Lead the Way program benefited me the most, as it acted as an introduction to the engineering programs I hope to pursue in college,” William said. “Through the school’s engineering curriculum and college-level courses I was able to gain an understanding of what will be expected in a college level setting.”
William was awarded the University of Rochester Bausch Lomb Honorary Science Award.