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. Today, we highlight our second group of seniors receiving this recognition. As we shared last week, 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 to the second group of seniors recognized for their commitment to civic responsibility.
Keira Crahan
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.”
Crahan: After being on the track team for four years, I have been named team captain. My job is to lead the team and help the younger generation. Throughout my years of track, people from all over the track community have approached me and asked if I can help them with something related to our sport. They also shared how they look up to me and have given me positive feedback on being such an outstanding track athlete. When people tell me that I am like, wow, I am having a positive impact on people and the younger generation, and it makes me want to continue being me and doing my best to help. I want to be the change, I want people to look up to me, I want people to become better than I was.
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.
Crahan: Robert Garren. Mr. Garren believed in me during my senior year of track. He made me want to work hard; he allowed me to be me. He listened to my opinions and thoughts. He made my senior year of track eventful and amazing.
Keira Muselbeck
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.”
Muselbeck: I taught first and second graders the basics of lacrosse for the Johnstown Youth Lacrosse Winter program. This meaningful experience helped promote lacrosse and spread my love of the sport.
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.
Muselbeck: Ms. DiNatale. She helped me enjoy the sciences and made AP Biology a fun and exciting experience. She has always encouraged me and my classmates and wrote several important letters of recommendation that got me to where I am today.
Karen Castellano
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.”
Castellano: I have always striven to “be the Change” in every moment of my high school career and my life. I have joined many clubs, such as the Drama club, the Science club, the Spanish Club, etc. Every club has taught me to be a leader to others, stand through obstacles that might come my way, and help the community in times of need. I even joined the church community to sing for everyone in attendance. I show random acts of kindness to my family and the people I meet daily.
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.
Castellano: My cousin Michaela is unquestionably one of the most important individuals in my life and has had a huge influence on it, along with Mrs. Waters. Since I was young, Michaela has always been supportive and given me her strength in the worst situations in my life. She has taught me the importance of kindness, always standing up for oneself, and knowing that I can only rely on family whenever I need. She has always been a shoulder to cry on and one of my biggest supporters. Mrs. Waters was always one whom I could open up to during my lunch periods about problems in my life. She was always the one who said, “Don’t give up”, “You got this”, and even “I believe in you”. After graduating early, Mrs. Waters was one of the most supportive teachers who knew in the end I would be able to complete my education a year earlier. Thanks to her and the motivation she has given me, I pushed myself through courses and classes that I thought I could not succeed in.
Victoria Rice
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.”
Rice: For as long as I can remember, I have been helping others. One thing I do every year is replace flags on the graves of Veterans. This small act is not to make the cemetery appear cleaner, but to honor the soldier and his or her service to the country. This is meaningful for the group that puts out the flags, in my case Girl Scouts, because it teaches the younger girls to be respectful and to do the right thing. However, this is also meaningful to the family of the Veteran, as it gives them peace of mind that their loved one is not forgotten and still honored. Few people want to spend time putting out flags for the Veterans, so this small act is important. I want to continue to be the change, because not everyone will, and those who do will continue to make a difference.
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.
Rice: Thank you to Mr. Wilson for making my high school experience more enjoyable. From cracking jokes in class to talking during games, you have made everything lighter and easier. You create a safe space wherever you are, which is true no matter who you ask.
Christopher Cimmino
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.”
Cimmino: During my time at Fonda-Fultonville, I want to imagine that I have made an impression on everyone. That I have been a person who makes everyone laugh and have fun. Although some people might disagree, it is why I find high school so intriguing. I have had so much fun with everyone over the years, and I cannot say for certain that everyone else has. However, I can say that we have all had precious moments together. After graduation, we will separate and go our own ways and look back on these times and cherish them. I hope that I have made an imprint on everyone, at least a smiling face or a laugh that sticks with people and reminds them to be their best, and to make light of even the hardest moments. I also hope that because of my actions, others continue to carry on those actions and build an even stronger community long after the graduating class of ’25 is gone.
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.
Cimmino: Mrs. Brewer. Of course, there are so many who have altered my perspective in some way or boosted me here and there, but there is no one holding a candle to the way she has held me up every year. She has pushed me to be the best I could be, and always talks to me through new music, along with making funny scenes on stage in drama. But, most of all, just being a genuine person that I can call not only my teacher but my friend. I owe a lot of who I am today and how I act today to Mrs. Brewer and all that she has done for me. Thank you so much.