Ilion Ceremony Held
ILION MARKS COMMENCEMENT The Class of 1981 at Ilion Central High School received diplomas at commencement exercises held today. Among the graduates were Cathy Wood, left, valedictorian and Sue Plunkett, salutatorian.
ILION - Although the usual "Pomp and Circumstance" prefaced the annual commencement exercises for the Ilion High School graduating class this morning, the feeling of enthusiasm and anticipation mixed with a little sadness made the occasion very extraordinary. And with a proud group of family, friends, teachers and administrators looking on, the messages of both valedictorian Cathleen Woods and salutatorian Susan Plunkett advised the Ilion graduates on a theme for the future. Miss Plunkett relayed the message, "You'll Only Be As Happy As You Let Yourself Be," while Miss Woods told her classmates, "You Get Out of Life What You Put In."
Following a number by the Senior Girls' Chorus, "Time For Moving On," Superintendent of Schools Joseph Fusco presented the graduates with awards which recognize academic, athletic, leadership and citizenship virtues. Fusco, Dr. John Reese, president of the Ilion Central School Board of Education, and Charles Lang Ilion Central High School principal, presented the diplomas.
REGENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Dana Beran, James Bunch, Gary Dempster, Kathleen Fikes, Ella Hammond, Dennis Miller, Erik O'Bryan, Lisa O'Bryan, Susan Plunkett, Katherine Putnam, John Remis, Tracy Riddell, Thad Smith Jr., Mark Strife, Kathleen Woods, and Joseph G. Yule.
The New York State Regents Scholarship for nursing was awarded to Esther Cammarere.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Louise Brien, AAUW Scholarship and Keuka College Scholarship;
Carla Burns, the Remington Arms Employees' Club Griffin-Jones Senior Award;
James Earl, Norwich University Scholarship;
Terri Esford, Keuka College Scholarship;
Mary Hall, Keuka College Scholarship and College Presidential Scholarship;
Dennis Miller, Centennial Prize Scholarship University of Rochester;
Michael Murphy, Hamilton College Scholarship;
Lisa O'Bryan, Keuka College Scholarship and Cogar Foundation Scholarship;
Suan Plunkett, Hamilton College Scholarship;
Karen Putnam, Keuka College Scholarship;
Tracy Riddell, Siena College Grant;
Katherine Rivers, Central City Business Institute Award; and
Melinda Soules, Utica College Scholarship.
TOP SCHOLARS
Cathleen Woods, Susan Plunkett, Mary Hall, Kathleen Fikes, Esther Cammarere, Dennis Miller, Dana Beran, Erie Noll, Theodore Carney, Gary Dempster, Joseph Yule, Lisa O'Bryan, James Bunch, Andrea Rasmussen, Janet WaIdvogel, Michael Calicchia, Carla Burns, Stacie Leonis, Michele Miller, and Ella Hammond.
SENIOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Dana Beran, Catherine Bluett, Louise Brien, James Kunch, Carla Burns, Michael Calicchia, Esther Cammarere, Mary Cross, Kathleen Daly, Gary Dempster, Terri Esford, David Falzareno, Kathleen Fikes, Mary Hall, Ella Hammond, Mary Kane, Alfred LaFountain, Joann Lennon, Stacie Leonis, Jay McTiernan, Dennis Miller, Michele Miller, Michelle Morris, Michael Murphy, Eric Noll, Erik O'Bryan, Lisa O'Bryan, Susan Plunkett, Karen Putnam, Andrea Rasmussen, John Remis, Tracy Riddell, Katherine Rivers, Kelly Slater, Thad Smith, Jr., Angel M Snell, Melinda Soules, Mark Strife, Kelly Tahitian, Mary Urtz and Cathleen Woods.
The DAR - "Good Citizen Award" went to Kelly Tallman. The New York State Jaycees-Jayncee, - Ilion Chapter "Outstanding Young Student" award was given to Andrea Rasmussen.
ATHLETIC AWARDS
Moose Club Dale Johnson Baseball Award to Erik O'Bryan;
North Side Athletic Club Award to Kathleen Fikes and David Falzareno;
Leo Golicki (Competitive Spirit) Award to Timothy Day,
Rocky Cramer Award to Michael Murphy;
Francis Murray Award to Jay McTiernan;
Varsity Club (Unsung Hero) Award to Gary Dempster;
Lever Cup to Doug Luke;
Richard Lewis Wrestling Award to Thad Smith Jr.,;
Kim Torbitt Wrestling Award to Andrew J Vandawalker;
James Allston Award for Track to William Metz and John Salvaggio;
K of C Athletic Award to Michael Calicchia and William Moran;
Coach Bemis Outstanding Football Award to James Earl;
Richard N. Adams Memorial Award to Doug Luke;
Terry Moran Memorial Award to William Moran;
Harvey Watson Memorial Award to Thad Smith, Jr.;
Stephen Nowacki Memorial Award to Bruce Anderson;
Outstanding Girl Athletic Award to Melinda Soules;
Priscilla Burnham Award to Melinda Soules;
Girls' Senior Service Award to Melinda Soules; and
Unsung Heroine Award to Louise Brien.
ACADEMIC, SERVICE CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
Alumni Association Token Award (for posters), to Kimberly Favreau, Todd Smithson.
Business Secretarial Practice (Mohawk Valley Businesswomen's Club) to Janet Waldvogel;
Clerical Award (School District Clerical Workers) to Julie A Metz and Connie M. VanValkenburg;
Office Practice and Typing (Mohawk Valley Businesswomen's Club) to Felicia Hazlett.
English Loretta O. Douglas Award (Ilion Alumni Association) to Susan E. Plunkett and Cathleen A. Woods;
English Term Paper (Ilion Historical Club) to Lisa O'Bryan;
Marston English Award to Kelly Slater;
History DAR American History Award to Susan Plunkett;
10th Year Anna Schwartz Memorial Award to Dennis Miller;
Cornelia Nagle Memorial (History four years) to Cathleen Woods.
The Home Economics Award went to Kathleen Harter.
Industrial Arts Industrial Arts and Vocational Shop Award - David P. Marhaver and Robert Marhaver;
Richard Cormia Award for Mechanical Drawing or Industrial Design to Michael Calicchia;
Mechanical Drawing to David Falzareno.
Language Spanish (four year Award) to Gretchen Lang and
French (four-year Award) to Andrea Rasmussen
The Four-Year Math Award (Marine Midland Bank, Bond) went to Mary Hall.
Math & Science First Prize to Cathleen Woods;
Second Prize to Dennis Miller;
Rensselaer Math and Science Award (1980 Junior) to Dennis Miller.
Music Priscilla Burnham Memorial Prize for instrumental music to Mary E. Cross; and the
Albert DeVere Memorial Award in vocal music to Catherine Bluett;
The William and Nettie Parker Prize (in Music and Science) to Esther Cammarere.
Science Bausch and Lomb Science Award to Connie Woods;
The M. Doris Dollar Prize for Science to Mary Hall;
John Guy Prindle Memorial Award (First) to Cathleen Woods; and
John Guy Prindle Memorial Award (Second) to Dennis Miller.
Service B'nai B'rith Citizenship Award to Andrea Rasmussen;
Burton Seymour Memorial Prize for Service to James Bunch;
Barbara Durant Memorial Award (Ilion Jayncees, Jaycees) to Melinda Soules;
Zonta Service Award to Mary Urtz;
Kathleen Withington Memorial Award (St. Augustine's Guild) to Ella Hammond;
Senior High Student Council Awards Student Council Scholarship, Leadership and Citizenship to Kelly Tallman;
Student Council Worker Award to Joann Lennon;
Senior Class Worker Award to Dana Beran;
Students of the Year Award to Lorraine E. Bates and Theodore R. Carney;
Student Council Underclassmen Wartier Award, (in memory of George Purdon) to Nancy Bosquet and Linda Fike.
The Speech Arts School Prize was awarded to Lisa O'Bryan.
OTHER AWARDS
Ilion Police Benevolent Awards to Bethann Ford and James Hawkings;
Women of the Moose Prize for Nurses Training to Bridget Hunter;
Knights of Pythias Award to Kathleen Harter;
Publications (Linda Braybrook (1963) Memorial Prize) to Theodore Carney and Michele Miller;
Salutatorian (School Prize) to Susan Plunkett;
Valedictorian (Earl Parry Watkin Memorial Award) to Cathleen Woods;
VFW Auxiliary Progress Awards to George DesGrosielliers and Tammy Fical;
VFW Post 502 Progress Awards to John Kress, Andrew Vandawalker;
K of C Special Award and Recognition to Bertha Lewis;
West Hill Elementary School Service Award to Mary C. Hall and Bruce Anderson;
The Shirley Truax Waldron Memorial Award (Sponsored by Nancy Ayers McCleary) to Joann Lennon;
Ida J. Butcher Scholarship Award Candidate to Lisa O'Bryan;
Delta Kappa Gamma International (honor Society of Women Educators) to Louise Brien.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Brill Scholarships
Dana Beran, Donna Boucher, Louise Brien, Michael Calicchia, Theodore Carney, Jan Duffy, David Falzareno, Kathleen Fikes, Bethann Ford, Mary Hall, Gretchen Lang, Joann Lennon, Jay McTiernan, William Metz, Dennis Miller, Michael Murphy, Erie Noll, Erik O'Bryan, Lisa O'Bryan, Febronia Panarites, Deborah Perry, Susan Plunkett, Andrea Rasmussen, Tracy Riddell, John Salvaggio, Kelly Slater, Thad Smith, Jr., Melinda Soules, Kelly Tallman, Mary Timperlake, Kelly Trevor, Cathleen Woods, and Joseph Yule.
Herkimer County Community College Foundation Scholarship to Connie Wood;
Paula J. Spoettle Nurses Scholarship to Pamela Sanchez;
The I. Clark Seamans Scholarship to Mark W. Strife;
Clayton Memorial Scholarship to Dennis Miller;
The Burton T. Seymour Memorial Scholarship to Thad Smith, Jr.;
Ilion Jayncee and Jaycee Memorial Scholarship to Dana Beran;
Mohawk Valley Savings and Loan Scholarship to Kathleen Gressel;
The Daniel Stone Memorial Scholarship to Louise Brien;
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Anderson Community College Scholarship to Carla Burns;
The Antoinette Tisci Memorial Scholarship to Michelle Morris;
The Daniel R Keddell Memorial Scholarship to Erik O'Bryan;
The PTO Scholarship to Gretchen Lang;
The PTO George Purple Scholarship to Kathleen Fikes.
Also,
Ilion Community Club Scholarship to Jerry Doxtader;
Senior National Honor Society Scholarship to Tracy Riddell;
Leo J. Sammon Jr., Memorial Scholarship to Erie Noll;
Earle T Jones Memorial Award for School Service (given by the Ilion Masonic Lodge) to Cathleen Woods;
The Earl Parry Watkin Scholarship (Ilion Teachers Association) to Cathleen Woods;
Special Watkin Scholarship to Kelly Tallman;
Special Watkin Scholarship to Susan Plunkett;
Ilion Alumni Association Scholarship to Lourdes Barreto and Bruce Anderson;
William LaGase Scholarship to Erik J. O'Bryan;
Mohawk Valley General Hospital Incentive Scholarship to Terri Gage,
Richard Adams Scholarship to Doug Luke;
Fish and Game Club Ecology Scholarship to David Falzareno,
American Legion Auxiliary Ilion Memorial Unit 920 Scholarship to Andrea Rasmussen and Lisa O'Bryan;
William Hempstead VFW 502 Post and Auxiliary Scholarship to Susan Plunkett and John Remis;
Moose Scholarship for Outstanding Athlete to Doug Luke;
Mohican Round Dance Club Musical Scholarship to Melinda Soules.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Students of the Month
September, Kelly Tallman and Theodore Carney;
October, Michele Miller and Gary Dempster;
November, Andrea Rasmussen and Michael Murphy;
December, Melinda Soules and Erik O'Bryan;
January, Gretchen Lang and Timothy Day;
February, Mary Kane and John Remis;
March, Lorraine Bates and Thad Smith Jr.;
April, Susan Plunkett and Dennis Miller;
May, Louise Brien and Jeffrey Kinville;
June, Cathleen Woods and James Earl.
ILION CENTRAL GRADUATES
The graduates are:
Linda Adams,
Judith Ahern,
Jerome Alsante,
Bruce Anderson,
Suzanne Annutto,
Wayne Archer,
Lourdes Barreto,
Lorraine Bates,
Brooke Bechard,
Michael Bellinger,
Kimberly Bennett,
Dana Beran,
William Blovat,
Catherine Bluett,
Donna Boucher,
George Bracken,
Annette Bradle,
Louise Brien,
Steven Brigham,
Norma Brown,
James Bunch,
Laurie Burke,
Carla Burns.
Also,
Norman Calderara,
Michael Calicchia,
Esther Cammerere,
Theodore Carney,
David Carter,
Diane Chalmers,
Therese Champagne,
Ralph Ciociola,
Ricky Clark,
Mary Cross,
Maureen Curtin,
Kathleen Daly,
Sheila Danforth,
Leisa Day,
Timothy Day,
Gary Dempster,
Sandra Denison,
George DesGrosielliers,
Jerry Doxtader,
Jana Duffy,
David Durant,
James Earl,
Lynn Elthorp,
Terry Elthorp,
Terri Esford,
Laura Etienne,
David Falzareno,
Tammy Fical,
Kathleen Fikes,
Bethann Ford,
Deborah Fournier,
Steven Frank.
Also,
Terri Gage,
Ellen Gray,
Kathleen Gressel,
Brenda Griffin,
Lora Hall,
Mary Hall,
Tracy Hall,
Ella Hammond,
Kathleen Harter,
James Hawkins,
Felicia Hazlett,
Lisa Heady,
Dale Hecox,
Patricia Hendrix,
Michael Horn,
Terry Horn,
Brenda Hunter,
Bridget Hunter,
Deborah Joaquin,
Dale Johnson,
Andrew Joy,
Mary Kane,
Thomas Kehoe.
Also,
Joseph Kennedy,
Susan Kerber,
Jeffrey Kinville,
William Kinville,
Kenneth Knapp,
John Kress,
Margaret Lacy,
Alfred LaFountain,
Gretchen Lang,
Kelly LaQuay,
Jamie Laura,
Sandra LeClair,
Brian LeFever,
Joann Lennon,
Julie Leonard,
Stacie Leonis,
Bertha Lewis,
Shelley Lewis,
Jane Lincourt,
Doug Luke,
David Marhaver,
Robert Marhaver,
Anthony Martin,
Marc Marziale,
Edward Matthews,
Laura Mazzara,
Daniel McCann,
Michael McGraw,
Jay McTiernan,
Julie Metz,
William Metz,
Dennis Michael Miller,
Michele Miller.
Also,
Barbara Moran,
William Moran,
Michelle Morris,
Arthur Moss,
Michael Murphy,
Teresa Murray,
Theresa Nencetti,
Erie Noll,
Debra Nowack,
Erik O'Bryan,
Lisa O'Bryan,
Brian O'Connor,
David O'Connor,
Febronia Panarites,
Deborah Perry,
Jaimie Petrie,
Lori Pettengill,
Susan Plunkett,
Earl Polley,
Taffey Popka,
John Powers,
Joan Primmar,
Steven Putch,
Karen Putnam,
Katherine Putnam.
Also,
Andrea Rasmussen,
Ronald Reile,
John Remis,
Gary Rende,
David Richardson,
Leonard Ridden Jr.,
Tracy Riddell,
Cheryl Rigo,
Katherine Rivers,
Russell Rockwood,
Jeffrey Rodgers,
Christopher Rose,
Stephanie Rose,
Cheryl Sadlek,
John Salvaggio,
Pamela Sanchez,
Patricia Seelbach,
Connie Sheppard,
Kelly Slater,
James Smith,
Thad Smith, Jr.,
Mary Smithers,
Todd Smithson,
Angel Snell,
Melinda Soules,
David Springer,
John Stalloch,
Linda Stanburg,
Donald Stannard,
Jeffrey Steele.
Also,
Mark Strife,
Kelly Tallman,
Scott Tayler,
James Theobald,
Kathy Thibault,
Mary Tillinghast,
Mary Timperlake,
Deborah Townsend,
Paul Townsend,
Kelly Trevor,
Mary Urtz,
Andrew Vandawalker,
Connie VanValkenburg,
Donna VanValkenburg,
Donald Varin,
Kimberly Waldron,
Janet Waldvogel,
Kenneth Williams,
Kim Williams,
Laurie Williams,
Sheila Williams,
Jeffrey Wilson,
Connie Wood,
Cathleen Woods,
Joseph Yule.
Note - These names appeared in the senior section of the 1981 yearbook but not in this article: Michael Bellinger, Lisa Bussey, Kimberly Ann Favreau, Cheryl Hailsten, Barbara Moran, and Denise Carol Rankins.
Note - These names did not appear in the senior section in the yearbook but were in this article: David Carter, Diane Chalmers, Michael Horn, Terry Horn, Joseph Kennedy, Kenneth Knapp, Edward Matthews, Russell Rockwood, Jeffrey Rodgers, and Jeffrey Wilson.
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