Awards sponsored by Business Alliance focus on school-wide learning outcomes.
Student achievement was celebrated at the annual Tech Valley High School award ceremony on Friday, June 2 at the NanoFab South Auditorium at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
In addition to receiving awards from colleges, universities, institutions and community groups, students earned recognition through a set of awards sponsored by members of the TVHS Business Alliance. These awards focus on Tech Valley High’s school wide learning outcomes: knowing and thinking, self-direction, collaboration, communication and technology and information literacy.
“Students, you are credits to your teachers, your families, your schools, and the communities you come from,” Principal James Niedermeier said. “These certificates that we will hand out tonight are just tokens of our appreciation. You are the awards at this ceremony. Thank you for all that you do every day to make Tech Valley High a special place to go to school.”
Full list of awards and recipients:
The TEMA Bellinson Scholarship Award is given by the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association to the top Capital Region high school student of Chinese language and culture. A Tech Valley High School student has won this regional award for the past six years in a row.
Recipient: Sydney Hayes, Menands UFSD
The Capital Area School Development Association Scholars Recognition Program is intended to honor outstanding scholastic achievement by the senior class. The program is also intended to honor those teachers nominated by each student scholar for having a significant and beneficial influence on his/her education. Outstanding students are selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and service to their schools and communities.
Student: Kira Kested, Greenville CSD
Teacher: Lana Hower
The Society of Women Engineers Award recognizes achievement in math, science and engineering. The Certificate of Merit is an achievement award presented to female students completing their junior year of high school. The recipients are chosen by the faculty of the math, science, and technology departments, and the administration of their schools on the basis of their achievements in math, science, and engineering, their character and their desire for a future career in engineering, math or science.
Recipients: Hannah Hoyt, Menands UFSD
The James N. Baldwin Award is awarded to a graduating senior who has been accepted to either a two- or four-year college or university. The student must have demonstrated academic achievement and strong leadership skills. The student must also show evidence of community service, which may include Tech Valley High School advocacy. This award comes with a brand new iPad.
Recipient: Olivia Galasso, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD
The BlueShield Scholars Award is given to a student pursuing higher education for a career in the field of health or human sciences and demonstrates respect, personal responsibility, excellence, teamwork, passion, and integrity – BlueShield’s core values. This award comes with a $250 scholarship.
Recipient: Olivia Galasso, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD
The Toshiaki Yoshimura Merit Scholarship is presented in the memory of Toshiaki Yoshimura, TVHS teacher Diana Weldon’s father. Toshiaki valued hard work, education and altruism. The student should have an overall GPA of 90 percent or higher and demonstrate excellence in leadership, agency and helping others. In addition, the student should be accepted at an accredited college or university and plan to study in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Recipient: Domonique Fiddemon, Troy CSD
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal is awarded to the strongest math/science student in the junior class. The selected student should be one who has taken the most challenging courses, earned the highest grades, and presented the strongest overall academic profile. This merit scholarship, with a minimum value of $15,000 per year, is guaranteed for four years for each medalist who is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer.
Recipient: Seiji Akera, Berlin CSD
The Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal and Scholarship Program recognizes high school juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, are active and involved members of their school and community, and demonstrate interest and ability in computing. The winning students are eligible for a $7,000 annual scholarship, for a total of $28,000 over four years.
Recipients: Jackson Dushane, Greenville CSD
The Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation & Creativity Award Program recognizes high school juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, are active and involved members of their school and community, and demonstrate outstanding achievement in innovation, creativity, or entrepreneurship. The winning students are eligible for a $7,000 annual scholarship, for a total of $28,000 over four years.
Recipients: Seiji Akera, Berlin CSD, and Hannah Hoyt, Menands UFSD
The University of Rochester currently offers four awards to recognize outstanding high school juniors. Award recipients who apply to the university will have their application fee waived and will be considered for the scholarship that corresponds with their award. Scholarship amounts range from $7,000 to $20,000 per year for four years.
- University of Rochester Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award is awarded to students who display High achievement and rigor in science classes with high PSAT math and/or SAT math scores.
Recipient: Seiji Akera, Berlin CSD - The University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology is awarded to a student with a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology and a high level of achievement in this area, exposure to new technologies outside of school, and leading other students to new approaches to old problems
Recipient: Nicholas Miller, Greenville CSD - The University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award is awarded to a student who has a demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership and dedication to community action, and strong grades and rigorous courses taken in the humanities and social sciences.
Recipient: Thea Dimin, Averill Park CSD - The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award is awarded to a student with strong leadership experience at school and in the community, high grades and challenging courses, and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities.
Recipient: Hannah Hoyt, Menands UFSD
The Elmira College Key Award is presented to a student in the junior year with strong academics and outstanding school and community leadership. This award comes with a scholarship valued at $80,000 over four years.
Recipient: Hailey Halse, Menands UFSD
The Student Sage Award is a recognition program that honors two outstanding students. Recipients of the award will receive a certificate of nomination and an invitation to The Sage Colleges Student Sage Scholars’ Reception during their senior year. Student nominees will be eligible for an annual $5,000 scholarship to The Sage Colleges.
Recipients: Emily Darling, Catskill CSD, and Hailey Halse, Menands UFSD
The Tech Valley High School Perfect Attendance Award is awarded to students who have maintained perfect attendance during the school year. We celebrate this achievement because perfect attendance demonstrates the motivation of a student to be at school every day, and to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of his or her goals. Today we celebrate the following students for achieving perfect attendance during the 2016-2017 School Year.
Recipients: Brooklyn Darling, Menands UFSD, Macy Hayes, Menands UFSD and Tyler Roy, Wynantskill UFSD
The Clarkson University Leadership Award recognizes a junior who demonstrates strong leadership qualities, positively impacts their school and local community, and has a proven academic record. The winning student is eligible for a $15,000 per year scholarship.
Recipient: Jackson Dushane, Greenville CSD
The Clarkson University Achievement Award recognizes a juniors who demonstrate strong leadership qualities, positively impact their school and local community and have a proven academic record. The winning student is eligible for a $12,000 per year scholarship.
Recipient: Nicholas Miller, Greenville CSD
The National Merit Scholarship Award recognizes a student who receives the highest score on the PSATs and demonstrates academic promise. The scholarship is worth $2,500.
Recipient: Andreea, Guilderland CSD
Saint Michael’s College Book Award recognizes students for academic achievement and social conscience. This award comes with a significant scholarship ranging from $12,000 to full tuition.
Recipient: Axton Pulliam, Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD
LeMoyne Heights Award recognizes a high school junior who is “reaching for the heights” in the classroom and service to their school and community. This comes with a scholarship of $12,500 annually.
Recipient: Aaron McCarthy, Shenendehowa CSD
SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOME AWARDS
Automated Dynamics Self-Direction Award
Presented by Automated Dynamics Vice President Rob Becker
Steve Jobs once said, “Self-direction is the key to mastery.” Self-directed learners get all work things done on time without being prodded to do so, advocate for themselves, and aren’t satisfied with doing the bare minimum. This award goes to the member of each class who most clearly demonstrates the traits of self-direction and agency.
9th: Maeve Corcoran, Brittonkill CSD, and Elise Dugan, Ichabod Crane CSD
10th: Macy Hayes, Menands UFSD
11th: Hannah Hoyt, Menands UFSD
12th: Olivia Galasso, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD
Hudson Valley Community College Collaboration Award
Presented by Karen Ferrer-Muniz, associate dean of academic affairs.
Charles Darwin said, “Those who have learned to collaborate and improvise most efficiently have prevailed.” Good collaborators are not dominant leaders, but empathetic coaches and responsible team members. These students always do their part, can work with all kinds of people, and are adept at resolving conflicts. This award goes to the member of each class who have consistently shown themselves to be model collaborators.
9th: Marie Parascandola, Averill Park CSD
10th: Caiden Larsen, Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD
11th: Bennett Plowman, Brittonkill CSD
12th: Samantha Pierce, Schoharie CSD
Linium Recruiting Technology Literacy Award
Presented by Linium Managing Director, Business Alliance member and TVHS PAC President Miriam Dushane.
Arthur C. Clarke said that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Technology is a part of everything we do at Tech Valley High. These students boast not only impressive skills, but a passion and enthusiasm for technology that permeates all of their work. This award goes to 9th and 10th graders who have most clearly demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for technology.
9th: Alfred Burgazoli, Averill Park CSD
10th: Maxwell Lockett, Berlin CSD
1st Playable Productions Communication Award
Presented by 1st Playable staff member Amanda Kirk on behalf of
Paulo Freire said, “Only through communication can human life hold meaning.” These students are able to communicate professionally and effectively both orally and in writing. Their interactions with adults and peers demonstrate respect and a desire to listen and be heard. This award goes to the member of each class who has demonstrated the very best communication skills.
9th: Maeve Corcoran, Brittonkill CSD
10th: Fiona Haggerty, Greenville CSD
11th: Axton Pulliam, Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD
12th: Brandon Goddeau, Fonda-Fultonville CSD
Buzz Media Solutions Community-Building Award
Presented on behalf of TVHS Business Alliance member Martin Luther King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Community builders are positive about school and are enthusiastic participants in school activities. They also take the initiative to make our community a better place every day. This award goes to the member of each class who has best demonstrated the desire to improve our school community.
9th: Marie Parascandola, Averill Park CSD
10th: Kareel Slager, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
11th: Nathan Harwood, Hoosick Falls CSD
12th: Markus Jones, Coxsackie-Athens CSD, and Farzana Musomi, Hudson CSD
Schenectady County Community College Knowing and Thinking Award
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said that Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. The following students have the highest averages in their respective grades. They should be commended for their hard work and consistency.
9th: Mary Rose Duffy, Guilderland CSD
10th: Macy Hayes, Menands UFSD
11th: Hannah Hoyt, Menands UFSD
12th: Olivia Galasso, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD, and Domonique Fiddemon, Troy CSD