School District Honors Students, Staffers

principal Dennis Williams presented a series of end-of-year certificates of achievement to student leaders Monday night.

Junior Sean Canepa received recognition for his documentary film “Normal,” which won second place at the . Williams called Canepa a “good student and great role model” with a passion for motivational speaking.

Williams also honored yearbook co-editors Megan McAllister and Megan Riley, arts program co-presidents Christie Blickley and Carolyn McHugh, National Honor Society president David Gildin and newspaper co-editors Andrew Muller and Michael Gildin, who was also acknowledged as a National Merit Scholar.

Williams noted that many of the activities the school’s seniors will participate in in the coming days were the result of the hard work of Allison Dougherty, president of the senior advisory board. He also commended Student Council President Amanda Turner, as well as salutatorian Jon Coombs and valedictorian Kate Hentschel, who had weighted GPAs of 6.4 and 6.46, respectively.

“They’re absolutely amazing,” school superintendent Curtis Griffin said of the honored students. “And this is just a snapshot of all of their contributions.”

Several recent retirees were acknowledged, including Carolyn Kircher, who taught kindergarten for 26 years and Fred Long, facilities coordinator for nine years, and Alan Stumpf, custodian for 14 years.

Also retiring were the district’s director of curriculum Jean DeSabatino after three years, director of food services Ceceila McMichael after 23 years and payroll supervisor Beverly Thomas after 27 years.

The board also recognized the Home and School Associations of the district schools, and presented a representative of each with the book “Beyond the Bake Sale,” which offers ideas on parent-school partnerships.