The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District is proud to announce the Top Ten students for the Class of 2024. This group of students has remained dedicated to their work inside the classroom and in our community during their time at FFCS. We hope you take some time to review their achievements and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Each year, the top four graduates will give speeches at the annual high school commencement ceremony in June.
“As a tradition, our district recognizes the Top 10 students in each year’s graduation class,” said Fonda-Fultonville High School Principal Mr. Grady. “This group of students has continued to demonstrate their willingness to become better citizens, students, and friends as they achieved their academic goals. We are proud to introduce them to our FFCS community and wish them the best in their future pathways.”
Jordan Chatwin (Class Rank: 1)
Meet Jordan Chatwin. She is the top-ranked student in the Class of 2024. She is the daughter of Mr. Troy Chatwin. To list her achievements is not a clear definition of this creative, focused, and determined student. She is currently completing her spring semester in the Clarkson School (early college program) at Clarkson University. She is currently holding a 4.0 grade point average and was named Presidential Scholar and The Clarkson School Scholar this year. Jordan will be attending Brown University in the fall. At FFCS, she has impacted our school campus with achievements ranging from being in the Top 10 to building relationships through her participation in music and athletic programs. Key award highlights at FFCS: College Board National Recognition Scholar (National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Program), National Army 4-Year Scholarship (originally to Cornell, transferred to Brown), Clarkson University Leadership Award, Clarkson University Honors Educational Enhancement Scholarship, FFHS Highest Cumulative GPA Award (9th, 10th, and 11th grades), FFHS AP Biology award (11th grade), FFHS Algebra II and Pre-Calculus Awards (10th and 11th grade). We wish her well in her future endeavors.
Ty Sanges (Class Rank: 2)
Ty Sanges, son of Paul and Shelly Sanges, will proudly graduate with the Class of 2024 and will attend Springfield College to study Communications/Sports Journalism in the fall. Mr. Sanges has been an invaluable member of our school community and has been a positive contributor and role model over the years in both clubs and athletics at FFCS. Mr. Sanges has lettered in varsity cross country since he was in eighth grade. In music and chorus, he has been a valuable member and played a significant leadership role for his classmates over the years. He was Voted as the Class of 2024 president for the 2021-2022 & 2022-2023 school years and took on the role of Vice-President for the current school year. More importantly, he gave back to his community. Over the years, he has assisted his community with much-needed outdoor work for elderly residents in our area. Congratulations Ty on all of your well earned accomplishments.
Isabella Miller (Class Rank: 3)
Isabella Miller is the daughter of Jody Long and Craig Miller. In the fall, she will continue her pathway by attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She has been a constant three-sport student-athlete since 2020, and her accomplishments do not end on the athletic field. Ms. Miller is a proud recipient of the Xerox Award from the University of Rochester, she counts multiple highest averages in math and science on her academic resume and is an active member in the Fonda-Fultonville community, accumulating 300 hours of community service to help others. She has made the most of her time at FFCS, and we wish her well as she pursues her next chapter at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Best of luck, Isabella!
Joseph Susi (Class Rank: 4)
Mr. Susi is the son of Julie and Jeff Susi. Mr. Susi will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the fall to study mechanical engineering. He has been a fixture as a student-athlete at FFCS. He has been named to the Principal’s List each year since 2020. He is the proud recipient of the RPI Medal Scholarship (2023), WAC All-Star (Cross-Country and Baseball, 2022-2023), and listed as an FFCS Scholar Athlete over the past four years of high school. In addition, he has lent his talents to the musical program, being named All-County Band throughout his time at FFHS. He was also an active member of the Fonda-Fultonville baseball team where he lent his experience to grow the love of baseball for our youngest players. Congrats on the Top Ten, Mr. Susi!
Amber Hoffer (Class Rank: 5)
Class of 2024 member Ms. Amber Hoffer is the daughter of Laura and Todd Hoffer. She will pursue a degree in biochemistry at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the fall. As with many of our Top 10 students, she has been a major contributor to making our school community so special. She has been a member of the district’s Yellow Roses Club. The Yellow Roses program was established to support the empowerment of women and allows students to establish goals and participate in events to engage our FFCSD community. She is also an active member of the Yearbook Club and International Club. Through the International Club, she and many of her classmates have made special connections with students from Poland to Vietnam. She has been a constant on the Principal’s List during her four years at FFCS. Hoffer was also the recipient of the Excellence in Honors Biology award and an Excellence in Anatomy award. She also received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. Congratulations Amber, we are excited to see what’s next!
Tristan Cline (Class Rank: 6)
Welcome to the Top 10, Mr. Cline. He is the son of Mark and Angela Cline. In the fall, he will pursue a degree in Computer Engineering Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). During his time in high school, he was inducted into the National Honor Society, qualified for Principal’s List each quarter for all four years at FFCS. In addition to earning many academic awards, Tristan was an integral member of the FFCS band program, he earned multiple selections to the All-County Band performances and received the All-Star drummer award at the annual New Hartford Jazz Festival. He also participated in the athletic program and earned scholar-athlete recognition. He is employed at Bellinger’s Apple Orchard and Market 32 in Amsterdam. We wish Mr. Cline the best as he pursues his studies at RIT.
Gianna DiNatale (Class Rank 7)
Ms. DiNatale is the daughter of Domenic and Kelly DiNatale. After her time at FFCS, she will attend Quinnipiac University in the fall. During her time at FFCS, she has been a member of all things that make our district special for our students. From being named to the National Honor Society to concert and jazz band through varsity athletics – she has done it all! In addition, she was also an active member of the community-based organization the Yellow Roses and was an active participant in the Yearbook Club. We wish her well in her future endeavors as a Quinnipiac Bobcat!
Rachael C. McNeill (Class Rank: 8)
Ms. McNeill is the daughter of Joanie Jones & Rob McNeill. She will be headed to Siena College in the fall as a member of the Class of 2028, and study biology. Ms. McNeill has been on the Principal’s List since 2021. She was also an active presence on the Character Council and was active on the Outdoor and Indoor Track & Field teams. Ms. McNeill was also a member of the Yellow Roses, where she joined discussions on women’s issues and worked on ways to better the FFCS community. She was also part of designing the annual school yearbook. Best of luck at Siena College!
Laine Buanno (Class Rank: 9)
Ms. Buanno is the daughter of Melissa and Carl Buanno. She will be attending Syracuse University in the fall. Ms. Buanno has been a member of the Yearbook Club, Yellow Roses, FFCS Dance Club, Prom Committee, and chorus and band during her time at FFCS. When she is not busy with school or activities, she is busy working at establishments in the community. She is currently employed at Sand Flats Orchard and Wemple & Edick’s. Congratulations, and best of luck as you start your next chapter in the Orange Nation!
Brady Melious (Class Rank:10)
Meet Mr. . He will head to the State University of New York at Cortland in the fall. He is the proud son of Brooke & Brian Melious. Brady has had a fantastic high school career and has been a major participant in fundraising events, led his fellow football teammates as captain, and has done it while excelling in the classroom. Aside from his athletic and academic resume, Brady was also involved in the summer reading program to assist younger students who are beginning their reading journey at FFCS. Mr. Melious was also a member of the Yearbook Club and took an active role in developing articles and getting involved in the storytelling aspect of the annual yearbook. We wish him the best as a Red Dragon at SUNY Cortland.